Janet Reno to run for governor of Florida.
September 4, 2001 1:32 PM Subscribe
Janet Reno to run for governor of Florida. Why? What does this serve? This is truly bizarre.
Before she got tapped to be USAG, she was a high profile Giuliani-esque DA in Miami. This is her attempt to regather her local political capital and get a job.
Its a real good thing for her that convicted felons can't vote (against her)...
posted by BentPenguin at 1:52 PM on September 4, 2001
Its a real good thing for her that convicted felons can't vote (against her)...
posted by BentPenguin at 1:52 PM on September 4, 2001
I don't understand. What's bizarre about a high-profile politician from Florida running for the governor's office in Florida?
posted by straight at 1:54 PM on September 4, 2001
posted by straight at 1:54 PM on September 4, 2001
The Cuban-Americans in South Florida weren't going to vote for any Democratic candidate, in all likelihood. I don't know what to think of Reno's candidacy, but I was hoping for a lesser known Democratic opponent like Pete Peterson who isn't such a polarizing figure. At least it will be good theater.
posted by rcade at 1:55 PM on September 4, 2001
posted by rcade at 1:55 PM on September 4, 2001
Here's a tidbit: no Republican governor has ever been re-elected in Florida. As a Fort Lauderdale, Florida resident, I don't see Janet running as bizarre. We've been expecting this announcement for some time.
There are many Cubans who are deeply embarrassed by the whole Elian Gonzalez situation. They might see Janet as an answer to the radical minority of extremely vocal Cubans who monopolized the media attention. Also, while Cubans pretty much run Miami, they are a very small minority of the total state population.
posted by stevis at 2:17 PM on September 4, 2001
There are many Cubans who are deeply embarrassed by the whole Elian Gonzalez situation. They might see Janet as an answer to the radical minority of extremely vocal Cubans who monopolized the media attention. Also, while Cubans pretty much run Miami, they are a very small minority of the total state population.
posted by stevis at 2:17 PM on September 4, 2001
At least it will be good theater.
You betcha. Elian is small potatoes compared to the hay that'll be made over Waco, the impeachment, and illegal campaign contribution fiasco. Some people are gluttons for punishment, I suppose.
It's that sort of thing that keeps me from even considering public office. Misspent youth = lifetime in the private sector.
She'll get elected, of course. In any election where a seriously flawed candidate is running, that candidate will undoubtedly win - see H. Clinton-New York and the late Carnahan-Missouri elections for examples.
posted by UncleFes at 2:41 PM on September 4, 2001
You betcha. Elian is small potatoes compared to the hay that'll be made over Waco, the impeachment, and illegal campaign contribution fiasco. Some people are gluttons for punishment, I suppose.
It's that sort of thing that keeps me from even considering public office. Misspent youth = lifetime in the private sector.
She'll get elected, of course. In any election where a seriously flawed candidate is running, that candidate will undoubtedly win - see H. Clinton-New York and the late Carnahan-Missouri elections for examples.
posted by UncleFes at 2:41 PM on September 4, 2001
Well, UncleFes, wouldn't that actually mean a few more years for Jeb?
posted by mrbula at 2:50 PM on September 4, 2001
posted by mrbula at 2:50 PM on September 4, 2001
I'd imagine that the Beltway hack community is already salivating at the thought of spending the mid-terms in Florida rather than DC. You'd have a high-profile gubenatorial election, a certain Ms Harris looking for a safe House seat, and lots of electors who won't let lots of very different things go.
Instead of waiting for the first snowfalls, the network drones will be packing the suntan oil.
posted by holgate at 2:52 PM on September 4, 2001
Instead of waiting for the first snowfalls, the network drones will be packing the suntan oil.
posted by holgate at 2:52 PM on September 4, 2001
In the Post-Hillary era, its no longer taboo to run a controversial figure who appeals to the partisans more
than the Swing. If Reno can calm down some of the negative, while the angry Democrats in Palm Beach/Broward
Miami Dade go crazy over her, that's a formula for victory.
Like Hillary, I think you will find that most of the bad stuff is out there on the table, and when the opponents try to use it , they will get slammed - 'oh...bringing that stuff up again!.'
As for the Cubans, ah, they won't like any Democrat, so might as well role the dice.
posted by brucec at 4:48 PM on September 4, 2001
than the Swing. If Reno can calm down some of the negative, while the angry Democrats in Palm Beach/Broward
Miami Dade go crazy over her, that's a formula for victory.
Like Hillary, I think you will find that most of the bad stuff is out there on the table, and when the opponents try to use it , they will get slammed - 'oh...bringing that stuff up again!.'
As for the Cubans, ah, they won't like any Democrat, so might as well role the dice.
posted by brucec at 4:48 PM on September 4, 2001
Just a data point (so to speak). I spent Labor Day weekend at my sister's on Sanibel Island, FL. Went to the school BBQ/Carnival. Lots of talk about Reno vs. Bush. The majority of mothers (soccer-mom Republican types) are very vocal FOR Reno and FOR voting for her.
Not a scientific poll, but surprising to me.
posted by paddbear at 4:57 PM on September 4, 2001
Not a scientific poll, but surprising to me.
posted by paddbear at 4:57 PM on September 4, 2001
damn 'e'. This is truly bizzare. Does she have more then just her home county as a base? If she secures the ticket, Jeb might have to keep a straight face.
posted by clavdivs at 6:35 PM on September 4, 2001
posted by clavdivs at 6:35 PM on September 4, 2001
I'd imagine that the Beltway hack community is already salivating at the thought of spending the mid-terms in Florida rather than DC.
Hey! We hacks already spent a winter in Florida!
posted by jennak at 7:00 PM on September 4, 2001
Hey! We hacks already spent a winter in Florida!
posted by jennak at 7:00 PM on September 4, 2001
PLEASE. DON'T.
posted by ParisParamus at 7:11 PM on September 4, 2001
posted by ParisParamus at 7:11 PM on September 4, 2001
Does she have more then just her home county as a base?
If your home county has, um, a million voters, that's not a bad place to start.
posted by brucec at 9:07 PM on September 4, 2001
If your home county has, um, a million voters, that's not a bad place to start.
posted by brucec at 9:07 PM on September 4, 2001
Sadly, the question that should be asked -- how will Reno's Parkinsons affect her performance and ability to fulfill the duties of the office -- can never be brought up by her opponents for fear of being painted of cruel capitalisation. In any case, I'd have serious questions about electing a governor who is already several years into a progressive and escalating debilitating disease.
posted by Dreama at 9:14 PM on September 4, 2001
posted by Dreama at 9:14 PM on September 4, 2001
Sorry for not responding earlier, but that darn "real life" got in the way. I don't think there would be any place in this country that would be less conducive to a Janet Reno victory than Florida. For the record, I don't prefer Jeb, but I don't think that Janet Reno is a viable candidate in that state.
posted by the bob at 10:18 PM on September 4, 2001
posted by the bob at 10:18 PM on September 4, 2001
Reno should run for El Presidente in Cuba. He already seems to have a knack for that particular dictatorship...
posted by dagny at 1:40 AM on September 5, 2001
posted by dagny at 1:40 AM on September 5, 2001
Dagny, here's a quiz:
1. What sex is Janet Reno?
2. What does "knack" mean?
3. What are you on?
posted by rodii at 5:21 AM on September 5, 2001
1. What sex is Janet Reno?
2. What does "knack" mean?
3. What are you on?
posted by rodii at 5:21 AM on September 5, 2001
In any case, I'd have serious questions about electing a governor who is already several years into a progressive and escalating debilitating disease.
Where do you stand on a workaholic vice president with coronary heart disease?
posted by rcade at 5:42 AM on September 5, 2001
Where do you stand on a workaholic vice president with coronary heart disease?
posted by rcade at 5:42 AM on September 5, 2001
"Beltway hack community" Lingo and jingo 101 for our british friends. This term: beltway hack, that would refer to the mid-west. Beltway in reference to south would be as in Bible belt (which Fla. is in) in which case the bible thumper aint gonna vote for reno.
posted by clavdivs at 6:39 AM on September 5, 2001
posted by clavdivs at 6:39 AM on September 5, 2001
Where do you stand on a workaholic vice president with coronary heart disease?
I don't stand on one at all, but I do stand behind one. My understanding of Cheney's condition is that if it is going to interfere with his work, it's likely to happen in one fell swoop, i.e. the big, bad infarction that will take him or debilitate him to the point of forced retirement, and that could happen to just about anyone. But having watched the progression of Parkinsons, I can easily foresee a situation where a slowly but surely diminished sufferer would try to hang on to their elected office while their non-elected deputies were actually doing all of the work, especially that which required travel, long speeches and other physically taxing tasks. As time progresses, Reno is simply not going to be able to do many of the things that are a part of the regular work of a governor, so I'm curious as to why she wants to try, and why people are supporting her notion to do so.
posted by Dreama at 8:06 AM on September 5, 2001
I don't stand on one at all, but I do stand behind one. My understanding of Cheney's condition is that if it is going to interfere with his work, it's likely to happen in one fell swoop, i.e. the big, bad infarction that will take him or debilitate him to the point of forced retirement, and that could happen to just about anyone. But having watched the progression of Parkinsons, I can easily foresee a situation where a slowly but surely diminished sufferer would try to hang on to their elected office while their non-elected deputies were actually doing all of the work, especially that which required travel, long speeches and other physically taxing tasks. As time progresses, Reno is simply not going to be able to do many of the things that are a part of the regular work of a governor, so I'm curious as to why she wants to try, and why people are supporting her notion to do so.
posted by Dreama at 8:06 AM on September 5, 2001
I agree that Reno's health will be a bigger (if unspoken) issue than her political past (after all, it's not like Jeb is sqeaky clean or a unifying figure). The real question in my mind is: Are we so sure Jeb is running for re-election? It seems to me that the Republicans would stand a better chance with somebody else running.
posted by conquistador at 9:45 AM on September 5, 2001
posted by conquistador at 9:45 AM on September 5, 2001
The governor does not have a Red Phone to Russia, so I don't think the disease is as troubling as it is a political issue. The parkinsons issue will help Reno, especially among a state that has the highest amount of senior citizens of any in the nation.
posted by brucec at 10:22 AM on September 5, 2001
posted by brucec at 10:22 AM on September 5, 2001
But having watched the progression of Parkinsons, I can easily foresee a situation where a slowly but surely diminished sufferer would try to hang on to their elected office while their non-elected deputies were actually doing all of the work, especially that which required travel, long speeches and other physically taxing tasks.
That's happening with the senior and I mean senior Senator in South Carolina, but Republicans don't seem to mind much. Florida voters will have more than a year to assess Reno's health as she campaigns before they decide whether to put her in office. Considering what happened unexpectedly to the last Florida governor, I don't think the vagaries of health should factor into a decision about a governor.
posted by rcade at 9:25 PM on September 5, 2001
That's happening with the senior and I mean senior Senator in South Carolina, but Republicans don't seem to mind much. Florida voters will have more than a year to assess Reno's health as she campaigns before they decide whether to put her in office. Considering what happened unexpectedly to the last Florida governor, I don't think the vagaries of health should factor into a decision about a governor.
posted by rcade at 9:25 PM on September 5, 2001
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Do you prefer Jeb? Why so?
Reno has this problem: Elian Gonzalez and the Cuban community vote.
posted by Postroad at 1:34 PM on September 4, 2001