Bush, McBride go on parade for veterans

Legionnaires seem to favor Gov. Jeb Bush, the political veteran, over Bill McBride and his war record.

By WES ALLISON and ADAM C. SMITH
© St. Petersburg Times
published July 13, 2002

ORLANDO -- Bill McBride marched into a roomful of fellow veterans Friday sporting a black American Legion cap and a military record none of his opponents can match, but he found his credentials don't guarantee their votes in November.

McBride, a Tampa lawyer and Democratic candidate for governor, followed Republican Gov. Jeb Bush in addressing the state conference of the American Legion, the state's largest veterans group. Their speeches launched a busy day of campaigning that also brought Bush to the Tampa Bay area to tout his education record.

While delegates said they admire McBride's Vietnam combat record, they stressed that Bush has a strong record on veterans' issues and they would be hard-pressed to throw him out.

Many also expressed enormous respect for Bush's father, a World War II hero, and his brother, the commander-in-chief.

"Experience counts, there's no doubt about it. Every veteran has done his part, whether he was in the supply lines or the front lines, but it's not enough," said Rich Rick, commander of the Legion district that runs from Titusville to Jensen Beach. "He's got a tough row to hoe to get the American Legion to see things from his point of view."

The Legion has about 126,000 members in Florida, and veterans and their immediate family members number about 2-million. The Legion does not endorse candidates.

Bush highlighted his record on veterans' issues: two new state-built nursing homes for veterans and a third under construction, raising capacity by 300 percent; and next year, a provision that will give disabled veterans an extra $5,000 property assessment exemption. He also cited a law awarding diplomas to Korean War veterans who left high school to join the military and the purchase of 180 acres to expand Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell.

McBride, a first-time candidate, simply sought affinity: He's a member of American Legion Post 98 in Coral Gables, he played Legion baseball as a boy in Lake County and in 1962 was elected governor of Boys State, a Legion leadership program.

In 1968, McBride dropped out of the University of Florida law school to join the Marines. He led infantrymen into battle in Vietnam and was awarded the Bronze Star. He was discharged as a captain.

Jeb Bush did not serve in the military.

"I intend and want to be the voice of veterans in this state," McBride said. "We need a governor who has personal experience."

McBride said he would push for better health care for veterans and enforce a state law to give veterans preference in hiring for state jobs.

His message was appealing to some in the crowd. One man introduced McBride to his grandchildren, while another vet, Maria Spaziano, commander of the post in North Miami Beach, called "You got my vote! You got my vote! You got my vote!" as McBride left the convention hall. "I don't like any of the others who are running anyway," she said.

Interviews suggest McBride inherited some of his problems: Vets said former President Clinton proved Democrats are soft on defense, and his eight-year tenure was marred by an erosion of support for the troops. President Bush, however, has increased pay and made defense a top priority.

Polls show McBride is unknown to about half the state's voters, and it showed. Many of the veterans didn't know he was running. "I think I vaguely remember reading something about him getting into the race, but that's about it," said Bob Wilson pf Jacksonville Beach, a Bush supporter.

The American Legion speeches began a day of vigorous campaigning in vote-rich Central Florida. The leading Democratic contender, Janet Reno, also campaigned in the Orlando area and is scheduled to address the American Legion conference today.

Bush headed to the Tampa Bay area to talk education and meet with principals whose schools were given F's by the state.

While his opponents cite statistics showing Florida ranks nearly last in education, Bush cited rising student achievement and education spending to show schools are on the right track.

"There are good things going on in our school system, but we have not achieved the dream of making sure that every child is reading at grade level and that there is a year's worth of knowledge in a year's worth of time," Bush told the Suncoast Tiger Bay Club in St. Petersburg.

At a state PTA conference in Palm Harbor, parents gave Bush a standing ovation. But even some fans doubted his talk of strong school spending.

"I have to send my kid to school with soap and paper towels to wash his hands," said Robin Lynch of Boca Raton. "I don't understand where all this money is."

Later in Tampa, Bush spoke to principals whose schools got failing grades. After his speech, as Bush was leaving the room, he learned how persistent principals can be.

Deborah Turner, principal of Blanton Elementary School in St. Petersburg, worked her way through the crowd to the governor's side.

"This system is dispiriting to a lot of our principals," Turner told him. "We believe all children can learn. Children do learn at our school. But sometimes it takes a little longer."

Bush listened patiently and agreed with just about everything she said. An assistant gave Bush a book, Frameworks for Understanding Poverty.

Turner pressed the governor to visit her school.

"I'm coming," Bush said.

"Will you come?"

"Yes," Bush said quickly.

And what about the book?

"I'll read it," Bush said. "I'll read it."

-- Times staff writer Stephen Hegarty contributed to this report.

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