Jeb Bush says FL Republicans don't have to worry about voter backlash.

[seafan]

re Jack Abramoff's dealings.....

State GOP heads off potential for trouble from scandals
By Times staff writers
Published January 8, 2006

Jeb Bush says Florida Republicans don't have to worry about a voter backlash from a rising tide of special-interest slime emanating from the Jack Abramoff scandal and other ethical lapses in Washington. Why? Because they've taken steps to inoculate themselves from the sleaze factor by outlawing free meals, drinks and gifts from lobbyists.

Questioned as to whether 2006 is already looking like a treacherous year for the party in power (the Republicans) because of the collective damage of Abramoff, Tom DeLay, Scooter Libby, etc., Bush, the titular head of the Florida GOP, said: "It would have, had the Republican Party in Florida not responded, had the leadership of the Legislature just ignored this feeling that I sense, that people are frustrated by the corrupting influence of special interests."


http://www.sptimes.com/2006/01/08/State/State_GOP_heads_off_p.shtml

But wait, Jeb's pious assertions are gutted by this revelation:

The sweeping gift ban lawmakers approved three weeks ago was hailed as a big step toward breaking the shackles of special interest favoritism that has allowed lobbyists to court legislators over meals, drinks, golf outings and other perks.

But Florida still allows lawmakers to control political fundraising committees that are supported through donations that come almost exclusively from lobbyists and their clients, with no limits on how much money they can contribute.

In Florida in 2006, a lobbyist cannot buy a legislator a stick of gum. But it's still legal for a lobbyist to give $10,000 to a fund controlled by a legislator. They have used the money as political slush funds for expenses such as meals, plane tickets, rental cars, computers, furniture and cell phones.

And it's legal for lawmakers to solicit the contributions.

Critics say it's a loophole wide enough to drive a catering truck through, and it undercuts the highly touted lobbyist gift ban that was approved on Dec. 8.

http://www.sptimes.com/2006/01/01/news_pf/State/Donations_welcome__bu.shtml

Bush could not resist pointing a finger directly at the gambling industry he so strongly opposes for being at the root of it all. "Where was all the money coming from? Gambling," Bush said. "It's just another example of why I think this state needs to be really cautious going forward about expanding gambling even more. ... It's troubling to me that this is such a big deal for so many people."

http://www.sptimes.com/2006/01/08/State/State_GOP_heads_off_p.shtml

But while Jeb professes that he "hates" gambling, look what the FL GOP just did:

TAINTED MONEY: Apparently the state GOP doesn't want to take any chances with that backlash. We can add the Republican Party of Florida to the list of politicians (among them the president and Florida U.S. Reps. Katherine Harris, Tom Feeney and Mark Foley) distancing themselves from Abramoff by giving away campaign money tied to him. The state GOP in 2002 received $5,000 from SunCruz Casino, formerly owned by Abramoff. Party spokeswoman Camille Anderson tells us that in the wake of Abramoff's guilty pleas this week, the party gave $5,000 to the Florida Hurricane Relief Fund.

http://www.sptimes.com/2006/01/08/State/State_GOP_heads_off_p.shtml

And Jeb just "hates" these legislator-created funds that glom onto so much money....

"I think they all stink, to be honest with you," Gov. Jeb Bush said of the (legislator-created) funds. "If there's a way to tighten that up as well, we ought to do it." State and federal laws allow the creation of political committees that can legally accept contributions of any amount to influence elections. The unrestricted donations, chiefly from corporations, businesses and wealthy individuals, are known as soft money.

http://www.sptimes.com/2006/01/01/news_pf/State/Donations_welcome__bu.shtml

And Jeb, still shows us how much he "hates" gambling.... why, just last week, he signed a deal with gambling interests in Florida to expand new, higher-stakes games in their casinos!

Bush, who is zealous in his effort to limit gambling, has repeatedly said he will seek to allow the Seminoles and Miccosukees to install the higher-stakes slot machines in their existing casinos -- but nowhere else.

''I'm not holding my cards close here, so to speak,'' Bush said. ``My object in a compact is to restrict gambling and maybe there is a convergence of agreement. . . . People that have gambling right now might not want more competition, and I don't want more gambling 'cause I hate it.''

In exchange for asking the tribes to agree to limits on gambling, Bush wants to offer the tribes the exclusive right to operate slot machines in the state outside Broward and Miami-Dade counties, a promise many in the parimutuel industry doubt he can deliver. Many racetrack owners outside Broward and Dade have told legislators they are waiting for the governor to leave office, then they will petition lawmakers and the new governor to allow them to put in slots at their struggling facilities.

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/state/13575696.htm

That's our Jeb! He seems so confused these days.

[RagingInMiami]

1. "We got Diebold. We got it all covered."

[Nabia2004]

4. Exactly - nt

[LuCifer]

2. I hope Jebthro goes DOWN with Abramoff et al

He's a complete SCUMBAG and bar none the WORST govenor this state has EVER had. Piece of SHIT.

Lu

[fooj]

3. I hope the cocky, lying, treasonous Wannabe is exposed for

the rat bastard he truly is! All the way to the pen.

Peace.