|
On inaugural's eve, Bush campaigns
By PETER WALLSTEN © St. Petersburg Times, published January 5, 1999 On the eve of his swearing-in as Florida's 43rd governor, Bush showed up Monday night at the Tampa Convention Center in a dark blue suit and a blue tie. It was a sensible look for a governor who prefers being called by his first name rather than by a title. Bush hopes the blue tie foreshadows good things: Its pattern was designed by Olympic long jumper Bob Beamon, who held the world record for 23 years. "If we dare to dream, we might as well be inspired by people who do these things," Bush said. "I didn't want to wear a tuxedo because I wanted to wear this tie." Bush's dream will be fulfilled this morning, when he takes the oath for an office he spent more than five years campaigning to win. When he does, Bush becomes the only Republican governor to serve with a Republican legislature in this century. Monday night, he said he wasn't nervous. "It's going to be a big day," Bush said. "It's an emotional time, but I'm looking forward to Wednesday. I can't wait for the 9 o'clock meeting with my chief of staff and the lieutenant governor so we can get down to work." With temperatures this morning predicted to be in the high teens, thousands are expected to gather outside the Old Capitol in Tallahassee to watch Bush take the oath. He will be joined by his parents, former President George Bush and first lady Barbara Bush, and his brother, Texas Gov. George W. Bush. The Rev. Billy Graham will give an invocation and benediction. Bush will speak for 10 to 12 minutes, likely offering a tribute to Gov. Lawton Chiles, who died suddenly last month. "I'll talk about the things that don't relate so much to specific policies," he said. "But I'll talk about the things that I think are more important, how government needs to be more respectful of our families and communities." Today's inauguration, along with a parade and street fair in Tallahassee, caps a three-day, cross-state party tour for Bush, who kicked off the festivities Sunday with at least 10,000 fans at a concert in downtown Miami. Funded with private donations, Bush and an entourage of friends, family and supporters traveled in style Monday aboard four corporate jets as they celebrated his ascension to power. Bush was accompanied at the Tampa gala by his wife, Columba, and daughter Noelle and youngest son Jeb. His son George missed a flight from Miami but attempted to make an 11th-hour appearance. The day highlighted what Florida is getting in Bush: a youthful, telegenic governor who is not afraid to put style over substance. If Chiles was a native Floridian who mastered "Cracker politics," Bush is a Texas native who moved here 18 years ago and mastered the art of television. "We live in a state relative to other states that is a weak governorship," Bush said. "But the power of the governorship isn't found in the Constitution, it's in the bully pulpit. I would hope we would be creative in getting getting our message out." Monday, he was the star of an event that looked more like a television infomercial than an event honoring the next governor. Bush joined former Notre Dame football coach Lou Holtz at Universal Studios for a scripted show that used a gathering of kids to highlight Bush's commitment to education. "Like me, he believes in succeeding in the face of seemingly impossible challenges," Holtz said of Bush. Bush at one point donned a red-and-white Cat in the Hat top hat and gave out the Dr. Seuss book Oh, the Places You'll Go to a group of ninth-graders who promised to graduate from college.. Monday's show was sent live to a satellite and was available for schools to transmit into classrooms. Bush officials did not know if any schools picked up the event. One thing was for sure: Bush has not stopped campaigning. On Monday, he took advantage of a noon break to do at least three live interviews on Orlando's TV stations. He repeated his campaign themes of improving education and cracking down on drugs. He declined to answer specific questions about his transition and what his plans are for the state's multi-billion-dollar budget. Bush did say he will offer some tax breaks in his first year but did not say whether he would go along with state House Republicans, who want to offer up to $800-million in corporate and individual tax breaks. "We have an ample opportunity this year to provide some tax relief for those who work hard and play by the rules," Bush said in Orlando. "When times are great as they are right now, with a lot of money coming in, it is appropriate to give it back to people who have been giving government a lot of their hard-earned dough." Also Monday, Bush awarded college scholarships to three students who won his "Profiles in Character" essay contest. The winners were: Kristin Grotecloss, 10, of St. Petersburg; Christopher Stofcheck, 12, of Crystal River; and Katie Stephan, 18, of Naples. The three wrote about what character means to them. During the show, Bush answered three questions from the students. Bush, who was forced to defend his own character during his campaign for governor against criticisms from Democrat Buddy MacKay about his business past, was asked what character meant to him. "Every day we have hundreds of choices to make," he said. "Character is getting it right most of the time."
Business |
Citrus |
Columnists |
Commentary |
|
AMPA -- As thousands of friends and supporters strutted around in tuxedoes and fancy cocktail dresses, Gov.-elect Jeb Bush dressed down for his inaugural ball.
