Tampa Trib: In The Democratic Primary, Jim Davis Has The Right Stuff

[Orangepeel]

Tampa Trib: In The Democratic Primary, Jim Davis Has The Right Stuff
Published: Aug 20, 2006

http://www.tbo.com/news/opinion/editorials/MGBZXE181RE.html

The rap on gubernatorial candidate Jim Davis of Tampa is that he is smart, thoughtful and approachable. He is a good listener, digs into details and can be trusted to do what he says he will do. He takes principled stands, is honest to a fault and champions causes for seniors, veterans and kids. Oh, but as a public speaker, he doesn't light up a room.

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When he served in the Legislature before going to Congress, Davis also helped enact protections for nursing home residents who ran out of money, and he has consistently promoted legislation to make medical care more accessible and affordable, especially in poor rural communities.

It is characteristic of Davis to recognize and address problems before they reach a crisis point. He recently was in the news for fighting offshore oil drilling. But he has been working on innovative ways to improve energy efficiency, encourage conservation and promote the use of alternative fuels for more than a decade.

Early on, he also understood that Florida's water sources had to be safeguarded to meet future needs. He helped fashion legislation that ended the "water wars" in West Central Florida.

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Davis also has a more proactive record on education. As a state leader, he championed legislation to reduce class sizes, make schools more accountable and give parents a greater role in school policies. He wants to increase starting salaries for teachers, and while he supports the FCAT, he is outraged that minimum-wage workers grade the essay portions and that parents can't later review the questions and answers.


Davis may not possess Smith's flash, but there's no doubting his grit. Serious-minded and innovative, he gets things done. In the Democratic primary for governor, the Tribune endorses Jim Davis.