FL Gov candidate Jim Davis taps Miami's Daryl Jones as running mate

[seafan]

Davis taps Miami's Daryl Jones as running mate


Daryl Jones


Jim Davis


BY MARC CAPUTO
September 14, 2006

...Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jim Davis has tapped former Miami state Sen. Daryl Jones to join the ticket and possibly become modern Florida's first African-American lieutenant governor.

''Daryl Jones has a record of leadership and commitment to public service that the people of Florida can trust,'' Davis said in a written statement. ``We share a vision for a Florida in which the voices of working men and women are heard in Tallahassee and the issues most important to Florida's families are at the top of the agenda.''

Jones, 51, is a U.S. Air Force Reserves colonel as well as a lawyer and real-estate investor. He will appear with Davis at 9:30 a.m. at the Broward County library in downtown Fort Lauderdale.

Throughout his career, the ''first black'' descriptor has followed him, from winning statewide student council leader two years after his native Mississippi desegregated public schools in 1972, to almost becoming U.S. Air Force secretary in 1998, to his 2002 run for governor, when he garnered 12 percent of the vote despite having next to no cash while facing well-heeled, well-known Democrats Bill McBride and Janet Reno.

Jones siphoned black South Florida votes from the latter and many expected McBride to tap Jones as a running mate. Instead, McBride chose a white state senator, and black voters largely stayed home, helping Gov. Jeb Bush win re-election in a landslide.

By tapping Jones, Davis's ticket gains a military shine and a precious political foothold in South Florida, where African-American voters overwhelmingly favored the Tampa congressman's opponent in the primary last week.

snip

[Nimrod2005]

1. A brilliant move!!! I am voting for this winning team in November.

Will p/u some strong S. Florida blue counties votes....

[seafan]

2. Finally, we now have a chance to be heard in Tallahassee with this ticket!

Go home, Jeb....er, Crist.

[seafan]

3. More about Daryl Jones from his run for Gov in 2002:

From Jim Davis' web site:

Governor LAWTON CHILES: "Daryl Jones is a dedicated public servant and an outstanding American. He is a great asset to the United States military and an inspiring role model." (Tampa Tribune, 7/23/98)

Jones "Made Believers" Out Of Voters And Exceeded Expectations. Daryl Jones "made believers out of tens of thousands of voters.... The articulate state senator, lawyer and former Air Force fighter pilot won 12 percent of the statewide vote in Tuesday's Democratic primary -- far exceeding pre-election polls, which showed him with no more than 4 percent to 8 percent." (Orlando Sentinel, 9/13/02)

Jones Has Credible Ideas And Plans For Florida. Daryl Jones is the "most knowledgeable candidate on the issues facing Florida. It's clear from even a casual conversation that Jones has thought through a variety of issues -- from overcrowded schools to Florida's tax structure. If Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. comes to mind for having a dream, Jones can be remembered for having a plan. He's got dozens, and most are credible." (Sun Sentinel, 8/31/02)

Palm Beach Post: Jones Is "Admirable Product" of American Democracy. "In another era, in a different social climate, Sen. Jones' bold daring would excite the electorate. Today, for varied reasons, his audacity to believe that he will be judged by his inner strengths offends. Nevertheless, without regard to party affiliation, he is an admirable product of this crucible called American democracy. He says he was 'trained by America to never give up.' We should hope that more young black men follow his example." (Palm Beach Post, 9/7/02)

[watercolors]

4. Excellant

I now believe we have a winning team! We are going to turn Florida BLUE again.

[flpoljunkie]

5. While Crist has picked "Dan Quayle," unknown trial lawyer, legislator from

the Naples area--Jeff Kottkamp, a long time Crist friend, and a plaintiff's lawyer with Morgan and Morgan, and previously, a corporate lawyer.

Mike Thomas, Orlando Sentinel, called Kottkamp "Dan Quayle" today, saying Crist "punts" and has given Davis an opportunity for a bold choice, rather than Charlie Crists' "vanilla pick" of another "good-old-boy."

Edited to add link to Mike Thomas column today: http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/columnists/orl-miket1406sep14,0,7252814.column

[SteppingRazor]

8. The Kottkamp pick was meant to shore up the conservative base...

Kottkamp's pretty far right, so it draws the conservatives who think Crist is too liberal back into the fold. It's not a stupid move, but it certainly is a defensive won, giving Davis the chance to take the offense.

Of course, while Jones is an excellent choice, it too is somewhat defensive, in that choosing a black running mate was almost a necessity after the Davis-is-a-racist slimes of the primary camapign.

[seafan]

11. St. Pete Times: Davis owns up to voting errors (Pitts/Lee restitution)

http://www.sptimes.com/2006/09/12/State/Davis_owns_up_to_voti.shtml

September 12, 2006

MIAMI — With Freddie Pitts and Wilbert Lee at his side, Jim Davis apologized Tuesday for his 1990 vote to deny restitution to the wrongfully convicted men.

“I made a mistake,” Davis said during a 1 p.m. news conference at the Carrie Meek center in Miami. “If you’re looking for the perfect candidate, it’s not me.”

Davis asked Pitts and Lee, who are black, for forgiveness and said he would advance issues facing the African-American community, including restoration of voting rights for felons who have served their time.

“I will listen. I will learn,” Davis said. “I am stronger for this experience.”

Said Lee: “It takes a good person to stand up and admit he made a mistake.”

snip

[SteppingRazor]

12. I'm aware of that, of course, but what's your point?

An apology to these guys in mid-gubernatorial race is bound to look like crocodile tears to the skeptical -- hence the need for a black running mate. Don't get me wrong, though -- I think the apology was needed, and I also think, leaving the race issue aside, Jones can make an excellent Lt. Gov.

[seafan]

15. It's something that Davis needed to address and he handled it well.

Yes, the skeptics will say it was orchestrated, politically motivated, etc.

What made a favorable impression on me about the way Davis handled this accusation about his vote against restitution for these men, was that he first wanted to go back and review the voluminous record of this decision before he would issue a statement. It would have been very politically expedient to issue a rapid apology as soon as the issue arose, but to do that would have seemed very opportunistic. Davis did not do that.

He promised Freddie Pitts and Wilbert Lee that he would first review the decision and, if he found that he'd erred, he would own up to it. That's exactly what he did. He followed through and now this rift may be healed.

The current crowd in control couldn't hold a candle to that.

[SteppingRazor]

16. All true. Excellent points.

:thumbsup:

[Cha]

19. It would be so fantastic if

Jim Davis and Daryl Jones could be the next Governor and L Governor of Florida. On the road to healing that great state from the pig years.

[seasat]

29. The St Pete Times left this part out of that article.

(Jim Davis Press Release)

"Nowadays, politicians don't have the courage to stand up and admit they made a mistake," Pitts said. "This man is different. We need to send him to be governor."

"When I talked to him, I knew he was being honest," said Lee. "It's time for us to move on and make him our next governor."

Meek also announced at the news conference that she was supporting Davis's bid for governor.

"I know him," said Meek, referring to Davis. "I know his record. He's a good man. And that's why I'm here today. I support him."

They not only accepted his apology but both endorsed him for Governor. Freddie Pitts said in another article that he voted for Jim Davis in the primary. Wilbert Lee voted for Rod Smith.

We need to compare this to Charlie Crist who opposes affirmative action. Chameleon Charlie was part of the Jebbie cabal when they falsely cut black voters from the roles during both the 2000 and 2004 elections using the Jim Crow law felon voter list. We shouldn't forget the voter intimidation by the FDLE, under Attorney General Crist, during the 2004 election. We should also remind voters of how, under Jebbie's F+ Plan, blacks have declined as a percentage of enrollment in Florida Colleges, especially at the big expensive ones.

On another note, does anyone know why the St Pete Times has seemed so hostile to Jim Davis. Up until he started running for Governor, they seemed very supportive of him. My personal theory is that they want to support Crist to mend fences with the Repug party. The St Pete Times editors have had a running battle with Jebbie and I imagine that they got locked out of Tallahassee.

[seafan]

30. Thanks for that info, seasat. BTW, Crist also declined to investigate

initially, the boot camp death of 14 year-old Martin Lee Anderson in January, 2006.


Who is REALLY for the people of Florida... it ain't Jeb redux, that's for sure.

[flpoljunkie]

21. Yes, but will base accept a personal injury lawyer from Morgan & Morgan?

Large personal injury firm here in Florida who are big tv advertisers. The Rethugs have made personal injury trial lawyers pariahs, as we are all well aware.

[SteppingRazor]

27. They will if he talks the talk between now and November

If he screams enough about God, guns and gays, conservative voters wil just dismiss his job and say "Well, aren't all politicians lawyers?" And that'll be it. Kottkamp really is the best move Crist could've made -- he needed someone really conservative, and Kottkamp was the most conservative one on Crist's short list. Whether or not it'll be enough to get GOPpers to the polls remains to be seen.

[seafan]

17. Thanks for that link. These guys are just *more of the same.* Jeb II.

Charlie Crist and running mate Jeff Kottkamp

[stuartrida]

6. Good choice

I think this will give them a bounce.

[ChiciB1]

7. I REALLY Like This!!!

Can't wait to be rid of Jebby & Cohorts! AND Cruella too! I will be out campaigning for Davis and doing what I can to "get out the vote!" One can only speculate about our votes being counted and that there will not be MORE FRAUD!

While we here in Sarasota did get some GOOD news yesterday about the possibility of getting paper ballots here, I still remain cynical about how things are done in Florida and most especially in this COUNTY! District 13 al la Katherine "Cruella" Harris! BLECH!

:puke: :nuke: :puke:

OUT, OUT DAMN SPOTS!

[seafan]

9. LOL, ChiciB1. You've suffered long enough! We're SICK of Jeb's crew.

[ChiciB1]

10. Thanks... I've Felt The Pain For Far Too Long!

I've long said, we Democrats here in this county hit the "Trifecta" in political discourse!

The Idiot in the WH, A Slime Ball in Tallahassee, and The Witch in this District! As I said, I've become a real cynic but I guess I'm a glutton for punishment!

[seafan]

13. You mean, THESE people? Take cover.

[ChiciB1]

14. Aren't They Just Adorable???

I can hardly even look at them anymore. The only time I let them on my TV is when they are being covered by Democracy Now or any other alternative news, and then I hit the mute button!

Yeppers.... THESE PEOPLE! Good selection of pictures, they look EXACTLY like who they are!!

[Cha]

18. I remember Daryl Jones from the

2002 Governor debates in Fl. I really liked him but thought he didn't stand a chance. Goes to show you what perseverance can do. :patriot: :patriot:

[iamjoy]

20. Voted For Jones In 2002

was all set to go for McBride 'cos the buzz was he was the most "electable" - then I saw the debate. McBride looked like a doofus, Reno looked frail. Jones smoked!

As for this being a political move to restore his credibility with African Americans in Florida - give me a break! If Davis had picked another white male, he would have been criticized for not being more inclusive.

Oh, and I voted for Smith in this primary and was a little bitter about the whole primary. I'm over it now

[seafan]

23. Good to hear, iamjoy! Like the Big Dawg said,

...'once, we fell in love, now we gotta fall in line', lol!

We all just want this madness of the BFEE to stop. Once and FOR ALL.

Daryl Jones is a great pick for Davis.

[Cha]

31. Cool dude!

:D

[lpbk2713]

22. I voted for Davis in the Primary and will do it again in November.

We need to make the Boosh siblings a footnote in the history books and end this bad dream ASAP.

[madfloridian]

24. Photo we took at a dinner.

Hubby and I were behind the camera, not in the picture. It is just such a nice picture.

[seafan]

32. What a great pic! Thanks for posting this. Starting to get very hopeful

now, that we will successfully clean out this muck in Tallahassee in 2 more months.

[Pacifist Patriot]

25. Yeah!

[Catherine Vincent]

26. I hope they win!

I will definitely call my niece in Florida and persuade her to vote for these two. She (and her husband, in-laws) voted for Bush because of the gay marriage thing. :eyes:

[seafan]

33. Thank you!

:toast:

[Coexist]

28. I am very excited about this

but what was most positive, was that there were several choices he could have made that would have been this good. Great news for the future of our party in Florida.

[retread]

34. About time! This pick will hurt the retread household budget.

Because of this decision, we just got a LOT more enthusiastic about Jim Davis.

[seafan]

35. Some great pix from the Davis/Jones swing around the state yesterday

This is doing my little heart good, y'all!



AP Photo/Sun-Sentinel, Robert Mayer

Democratic gubernatorial nominee Jim Davis, left, named former state Sen. Daryl Jones as his running mate Thursday, a choice that could lead to Florida's first black lieutenant governor.




Florida Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jim Davis (left) embraces his newly announced running mate, former state Sen. Daryl Jones, during a campaign event Thursday in Fort Lauderdale.
J. PAT CARTER/Associated Press




Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jim Davis (right) introduces his choice for lieutenant governor, Daryl Jones, during a stop in Lake Mary on Thursday.
(JOE BURBANK, ORLANDO SENTINEL)
Sep 14, 2006




Daryl Jones smiles during a campaign stop for Jim Davis in Lake Mary Thursday. If elected, the former state senator from Miami would be Florida's first black lieutenant governor.
(JOE BURBANK, ORLANDO SENTINEL)
Sep 14, 2006