Posted on Fri, Feb. 20, 2004
GOVERNOR'S RACE
GOP elite celebrate Gallagher
Despite Jeb Bush's request to keep the focus on his brother's reelection, Republicans honor gubernatorial hopeful Tom Gallagher with a birthday bash.
BY PETER WALLSTEN
pwallsten@herald.com
Gov. Jeb Bush cautioned Florida's Republican establishment last year against angling for the race to replace him in 2006 until after his brother has secured reelection to the White House. But the establishment apparently did not listen.
About 200 of the state's most important Republican fundraisers, lobbyists and political operatives flew to Key West this month to throw a birthday bash to honor the GOP's expected front-runner to succeed Bush, Tom Gallagher.
The reception, arranged by Gallagher's wife to celebrate her husband's 60th birthday, sent a clear message that Florida's elected chief fiscal officer has all but secured the nomination more than two years before Election Day, at least in the eyes of Florida's Republican elite -- and that
Bush's power within his own party is ebbing as the GOP braces for life in the post-Jeb Bush era.''It was a very impressive group of people,'' said Tom Slade, the former state Republican Party chairman.
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http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/state/7995268.htm