St. Pete Times: Governor Crist leaves little doubt Jeb Bush reign has ended

[seafan]

Crist leaves little doubt Bush reign has ended

By ADAM C. SMITH
Published March 28, 2007

For a guy who used to constantly refer to himself as "a Jeb Bush Republican" on the campaign trail, Charlie Crist is doing a number on Bush's image.
"It's a new day," Florida's new governor has been fond of saying, begging the question: Was something wrong with the old day?

Call it the de-Jebification of Florida politics.

There was Crist's debut state of the state speech when he never mentioned Bush. And days after Crist took office, he pulled back 283 Bush nominations to various state boards and commissions. That's standard practice for a new governor, but this was the first time a newly elected Republican had done it to another Republican.
"Jeb overreached on those appointments. He's been King Jeb for so long he didn't know that anybody would challenge him," said former state GOP chairman Tom Slade. "I think basically Charlie's message was, 'Jeb, you don't run the place any more.' And I don't think that's bad politics."

Privately, some of Bush's close friends are fuming, though publicly most Republicans say it's only natural for a new governor to chart his own course.

.....

Crist still lavishes praise on his popular two-term predecessor, when asked. But he has been more likely to mention former Democratic Govs. Bob Graham and Reubin Askew when talking about the advice he has sought on governing.

Press coverage of the new governor has chronicled a new atmosphere of cooperation in Tallahassee, rich in examples of bipartisan outreach and flexibility. Invariably it implies a refreshing change from Bush.
"Jeb Bush never - never! - would call me back," Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Weston, said last week when Crist visited the congressional delegation in Washington. "I called Gov. Crist and he not only called me back, he left his cell number."

Bush, who did not respond to a request for comment on this story, has kept a low profile since leaving office.

.....

Crist has charted a dramatically more moderate course than Bush, embracing Democratic priorities such as paper trails for voting machines, initiatives to combat global warming, and higher teacher pay.

.....

Jeb who?

[amitten]

1. The Bush family is so over. They've shown their lack of worth

over and over, with each relative proving less capable than the last.

Give it up, assholes.

[NYC Liberal]

2. Anyone still think ANY other Bush, let alone Jebbie, still has a shot at the WH again?

[wakeme2008]

3. Jebbie is another W === Asshole Dictator

"Jeb Bush never - never! - would call me back," Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Weston, said last week when Crist visited the congressional delegation in Washington. "I called Gov. Crist and he not only called me back, he left his cell number."

[Cameron27]

4. Poppy's gonng cry....again.

[TlalocW]

5. So the news here is

Crist is not as big a criminal, do-it-my-way jerk as a Bush? Wouldn't that have been true of anyone?

TlalocW

[Colobo]

6. No, the news is that Crist is actually a great governor

and we Floridians are more than happy with him so far.

[TlalocW]

7. I think what I said still applies

When you reach the bottom of the barrel, the next guy who comes in will shine no matter what. We could re-animate the corpse of that, "Hey, Vern," guy, run him for president, and he would look brilliant compared to Bush. It just happens that Florida did get a good guy this time around.

TlalocW

[retread]

9. "... we Floridians are more than happy with him so far." Speak for yourself. n/t

[Ino]

10. I was amazed when Jeb was elected to 2nd term

Was there ever any talk that HE had stolen elections for himself?

[Hippo_Tron]

8. I have to give credit to Governor Crist

I'm still skeptical as I am with any Republican, but so far he seems to be doing a pretty good job as Governor.