The Sentinel's Mike Thomas on the Governor's Race

[Orangepeel]

Smith would be fiasco for Dems, environment
Published August 17, 2006


If you are a Democrat, please vote against Rod Smith for governor in next month's primary.

I suppose this means voting for Jim Davis. Yes, he is dull. You'd think he was a mime in that commercial with Bob Graham.

But this is about alternatives.

And I would no more vote for Smith than I would take a bubble bath in red tide.

Smith would be the worst thing for Florida's environment since the invention of air conditioning and mosquito control.

--snip--

Smith sells himself as a conservative Democrat who can win crossover votes, particularly the North Florida Dixiecrats. This is fantasy.

The probable Republican candidate, Charlie Crist, has been endorsed by the National Rifle Association. He is pro-chain gang and anti-murder.

There is no weakness here for Smith to exploit.

Meanwhile, environmentalists would abandon Smith in droves to support Crist. He consistently supports their causes. In an issue very dear to their hearts, he wants to drain the Rodman Reservoir and restore the Ocklawaha River. Smith has blocked those efforts while in the Legislature.

Crist would take more votes from Smith than the reverse. I am amused by Democrats who delude themselves about Smith's electability. He is a surefire loser.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/columnists/orl-miket1706aug17,0,5548873.column?coll=orl-news-col