10/20/2004
Brown-Waite's oddly defensive campaign
You may remember US Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite from back in 2003 when, as a cynical publicity stunt, she filed a bill to dig up the bodies of American soldiers buried in France and bring their remains to "patriotic soil".
Well, she may have a 7-1 spending advantage, but her's has been a rocky campaign. She has had to explain her support for bringing back the draft. She has ducked a debate with her opponent. She has had to answer for $14,000 in contributions from Tom DeLay. She has had to explain her "accidental" vote for a congressional pay raise.
All and all, she's seems to be playing defense even though she's supposed to be a shoo-in against an unknown political newcomer.
Recommendations:
+ Orlando Sentinel -- Whittel. Ms. Brown-Waite has been a disappointment in office.
+ St. Pete Times -- Brown-Waite. With the hope that Brown-Waite will rediscover her moderate beginnings and re-evaluate her support of the Bush administration's policies, we recommend the incumbent.
+ Tampa Tribune -- Brown-Waite. (Brown-Waite) has done a good job. Among other accomplishments, she worked to significantly reduce waiting times at veterans health clinics.
+ Lakeland Ledger -- Brown-Waite. (Whittel) switched to the Democratic Party shortly before filing to run. He said he did so because the district is evenly divided, he has mainstream values, and he wants to work in bipartisan fashion. Voters can find that in Brown-Waite. While she has a weak record in support of environmental issues . . . Brown-Waite doesn't always vote the way the party would like.
Well, she may have a 7-1 spending advantage, but her's has been a rocky campaign. She has had to explain her support for bringing back the draft. She has ducked a debate with her opponent. She has had to answer for $14,000 in contributions from Tom DeLay. She has had to explain her "accidental" vote for a congressional pay raise.
All and all, she's seems to be playing defense even though she's supposed to be a shoo-in against an unknown political newcomer.
Recommendations:
+ Orlando Sentinel -- Whittel. Ms. Brown-Waite has been a disappointment in office.
+ St. Pete Times -- Brown-Waite. With the hope that Brown-Waite will rediscover her moderate beginnings and re-evaluate her support of the Bush administration's policies, we recommend the incumbent.
+ Tampa Tribune -- Brown-Waite. (Brown-Waite) has done a good job. Among other accomplishments, she worked to significantly reduce waiting times at veterans health clinics.
+ Lakeland Ledger -- Brown-Waite. (Whittel) switched to the Democratic Party shortly before filing to run. He said he did so because the district is evenly divided, he has mainstream values, and he wants to work in bipartisan fashion. Voters can find that in Brown-Waite. While she has a weak record in support of environmental issues . . . Brown-Waite doesn't always vote the way the party would like.
