Governor Rustles up Donations in Saint Lucie County

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0><script type="text/javascript" src="http://hb.lycos.com/hb.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://ratings.lycos.com/ratings/lycosRating.js.php"></script> <script type="text/javascript"><![CDATA[//><!]]></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://scripts.lycos.com/catman/init.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://members.tripod.com/adm/ad/code-start.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://members.tripod.com/adm/ad/code-middle.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://members.tripod.com/adm/ad/code-end.js"></script> <noscript> <img src="http://members.tripod.com/adm/img/common/ot_noscript.gif?rand=808506" alt="" width="1" height="1" />  <iframe frameborder="0" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no" width="728" height="90" src="http://ad.yieldmanager.com/st?ad_type=iframe&ad_size=728x90&section=209094"></iframe>  </noscript> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0 height="100%"><tr> <td valign="top" width=200 BGCOLOR="#3399CC" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="95" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 46 WIDTH="91"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="46" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="91" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>This article may be found on the Internet </b><A HREF="http://www.tcpalm.com/tcp/trib_local_news/article/0,1651,TCP_1107_1115310,00.html" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.tcpalm.com/tcp/trib_local_new"><U><B>By Clicking Here</b></U></A></div> </td> <td valign="top" BGCOLOR="#66FF66" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#003333" FACE="Arial" ><B>Saint Lucie County Teenage Republicans</b></FONT>     |     <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Saint Lucie County Teenage Republicans"><U>home</U></A></div> <div>                                                   </div> <div> Governor Rustles up Donations in Saint Lucie County</div> <div> Governor rustles up donations at Adams Ranch</div> <div> By Maggie Large staff writer</div> <div> April 28, 2002</div> <bR> <div> ST. LUCIE COUNTY -- Hundreds of supporters turned out to hear Florida Gov. Jeb Bush outline his re-election platform during a fund-raising stop Saturday at Adams Ranch. </div> <bR> <div> The 16,000-acre ranch on State Road 68 in western St. Lucie County provided an Old Florida backdrop for the $25-a-head fund-raiser for the St. Lucie County Republican Party. More than 600 people -- from families to business leaders, civic personnel and candidates for local office -- sampled barbecue and listened to a live band under the shade of the live oak trees. When Bush arrived, he walked through the throngs to greet people, pose for pictures, answer questions and even sign a few autographs. </div> <bR> <div> To the strains of the Paul Simon tune, "Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard," Bush jumped onto the bed of a red Chevy pickup truck -- probably not a nod to Democratic challenger Janet Reno's red-truck tour -- and took the microphone from event organizer Michael Brown Sr., president of Harbor Federal bank. </div> <bR> <div> During his speech, Bush outlined five issues that are his re-election campaign's goals, from enhancing education and assisting the unfortunate to Republican bedrock issues like streamlining government and raising incomes. </div> <bR> <div> "We have a rising graduation rate and a dropout rate that's going down," Bush said. "We're spending 6 percent more per student than last year." </div> <bR> <div> He praised the state's lead in nationwide job creation, saying that continuing to fund job training programs and keeping taxes low are successful strategies. </div> <bR> <div> "Whatever your dream is, it's the government's job to help you achieve that dream," Bush said. </div> <bR> <div> He wrapped up his speech by vowing to devote as much energy as possible to being the best governor. Bush encouraged the crowd to register to vote and to spread the word about his policies. </div> <bR> <div> "We have proven in this state, beyond any reasonable doubt, that every vote really does count," he joked. </div> <bR> <div> In a later interview, Bush joked that conflict between the House and Senate leadership -- Senate President John McKay and House Speaker Tom Feeney are not speaking to one another -- has made this session difficult. </div> <bR> <div> "I'd need to go back to school and get a Ph.D. in psychotherapy [to fix everything]," Bush said. </div> <bR> <div> Bush said that sometimes legislators get too fixated on what goes on inside the Capitol halls and not on the needs of their constituents. He praised Sen. Ken Pruitt, R-Port St. Lucie, for his leadership skills during the session. </div> <bR> <div> "I get a sense that the members of the legislature are willing to put aside their opinions and do their jobs," Bush said. </div> <bR> <div> Bush also said he looked forward to the campaign heating up as November approaches, especially so he can respond to criticism of his campaign television advertisements that were filmed at a private religious school. </div> <bR> <div> "People accuse me of having misleading campaign ads, and not a single word is inaccurate," Bush said. </div> <bR> <div> He welcomed the chance to debate his Democratic opponents -- however, not naming any names -- on all of the issues. </div> <bR> <div> "What are the Democrats' views?" Bush said. "They're tearing me and the state down. I can't wait for the debate to begin."</div> <div>  </div> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>