4/30/2004
Johnnie B. Gone
Don't trip over anything as you walk into the mists of history! The Herald's story notes that Speaker gets tepid adieu from House.
The Plant City Republican's mercurial rule -- his my-way-or-the-highway style of leadership -- appears to have alienated some of the very people who anointed him leader. No Democrats chipped in to purchase the gifts, and, several legislators suggested, very few Republicans ponied up cash for Byrd's parting gifts, either.
The Palm Beach Post account sees the same lack of enthusiasm -- In a sign of a brutal session that has left bruised feelings, House leaders had trouble passing the hat for traditional going-away presents for Speaker Johnnie Byrd.
St. Pete Times -- Noticeably absent were glowing farewell speeches for Byrd . . . Not one House member rose to praise Byrd. The speaker pro-tem, Rep. Lindsay Harrington of Punta Gorda, and Rep. David Russell of Brooksville handled things.
Michael Mayo of the Sun-Sentinel sums it up -- It's hard to think of a politician who's come so far so fast who messes up so much and so shamelessly. He is his own worst enemy and he keeps making new enemies.
The Plant City Republican's mercurial rule -- his my-way-or-the-highway style of leadership -- appears to have alienated some of the very people who anointed him leader. No Democrats chipped in to purchase the gifts, and, several legislators suggested, very few Republicans ponied up cash for Byrd's parting gifts, either.
The Palm Beach Post account sees the same lack of enthusiasm -- In a sign of a brutal session that has left bruised feelings, House leaders had trouble passing the hat for traditional going-away presents for Speaker Johnnie Byrd.
St. Pete Times -- Noticeably absent were glowing farewell speeches for Byrd . . . Not one House member rose to praise Byrd. The speaker pro-tem, Rep. Lindsay Harrington of Punta Gorda, and Rep. David Russell of Brooksville handled things.
Michael Mayo of the Sun-Sentinel sums it up -- It's hard to think of a politician who's come so far so fast who messes up so much and so shamelessly. He is his own worst enemy and he keeps making new enemies.
