Here in Florida, they take the Swamp seriously. Photo by Holly Bailey.
by Mark Silva
YEEHAW JUNCTION, Fla. -- Out here in the middle of Florida cattle country, where scarcely a campaign sign is seen, a familiar voice steps out from the car radio.
"This is Jeb Bush,'' the former governor reports. "Casino operators want to bet the future... on a bad plan.''
He is talking about the initiative on Tuesday's ballot in Miami-Dade County authorizing slot machines at parimutuels -- the dog tracks, jai alai frontons and horse tracks of the Miami area. In a state whose voters have three times rejected casino gambling, yet given counties the option of making some gambling choices for themselves -- and also authorized a statewide lottery and watched the Seminoles erect casinos on tribal territory -- the gambling question in Miami is expected to help spur the vote in Tuesday's presidential primary election.
Bush, the former governor, is the premier voice of a campaign against slot machines in his home town. "Casino operators will make millions exploiting the poorest amongst us,'' Bush warns radio listeners. "Don't let this happen, please... Vote no on slots.''
The former governor also passed along these remarks to the Tribune today: "Slots are bad for Miami-Dade because it is a false hope economically and will increase social costs. Attracting high wage industries, improving infrastructure, improving education and training programs are part of a more dynamic and long range strategy for my beloved community. Gambling will bring few benefits and will hurt in the long run.
Swamp note: This could be the first time we have posted from a rest stop along Florida's Turnpike, aka "Ronald Reagan Turnpike,'' thanks to the effusive spirit of Republicans who took hold of the state Legislature some years ago. Time to get back on the road.
(And the photo above comes from one of the good friends of the Swamp, Holly Bailey of Newsweek, with thanks to you, Holly. This Swamp's for you.)
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Comments
"Jeb Bush: Casino operators prey on the poor"
Since he's a member of the Bu$hie crime family, Jeb knows a thing or two about preying on the poor.
Posted by: John E | January 26, 2008 2:39 PM
Jeb just hasn't figured out how to get his cut yet. I don't recall him speaking out against fixed elections.
Posted by: Rick/Sneads Ferry, NC | January 26, 2008 2:42 PM
JEB '12.
Bush-Clinton-Bush-Clinton-Bush...
The saga continues.
Don't let it happen, America. There's real talent out there. Don't be afraid to tap into it.
Posted by: Bud McFarlin | January 26, 2008 3:06 PM
Jeb Bush -- or any Bush -- giving a sh-t about the poor? I don't think so.
Posted by: Tom | January 26, 2008 3:27 PM
If all Casino Operators prey on the poor, does that mean that all Casino Operators are Democrats?
Posted by: Ben R. | January 26, 2008 4:14 PM
And the gov't usually takes a big chunk of the gambling revenue. But gov't run lotteries are OK? BTW, the poor, and anyone else, do have a right to make that decision to go gambling.
Posted by: Terry | January 26, 2008 4:19 PM
The road may be named for Reagan, but the town is named to Howard Dean's fatal cheer to his staff,
Posted by: Kenny Bunkport | January 26, 2008 5:18 PM
That was a very immature thing to say. Anyone that is old enough to go into a casino should know that the odds are always with the house. Casino operators are always going to be the big winners. People have a choice the rest of the world can not make that choice for them.
Posted by: Paul Jaeger | January 26, 2008 6:41 PM
If all Casino Operators prey on the poor, does that mean that all Casino Operators are Democrats?
Posted by: Ben R. | January 26, 2008 4:14 PM
Where have you been? After Abramoff paid all the republicans to pass the indian casinos...we know who the operators are.
Posted by: bill r. | January 26, 2008 7:22 PM
"Yeehaw Junction." Only in Florida.
Posted by: Jeff | January 26, 2008 8:55 PM
If all Casino Operators prey on the poor, does that mean that all Casino Operators are Democrats?
Posted by: Ben R. | January 26, 2008 4:14 PM
Where have you been? After Abramoff paid all the republicans to pass the indian casinos...we know who the operators are.
Posted by: bill r. | January 26, 2008 7:22 PM
Nice counter-punch, bill r.
Keep up the good work.
Posted by: Bud McFarlin | January 27, 2008 8:26 AM
It's actually possible that Jeb will be the draft choice come Aug. On the plus, he seems to have gotten all the brains passed out to the kids.
On the negative; He is ultra-conservative.
Plus, he demagoged the Terri Schiavo case; had no problem interjecting massive state power into the legal affairs of a family.
Posted by: C.Morris | January 27, 2008 11:08 AM
Actually it would be nice if Jeb was drafted at the convention and then won the general election. The best part of that scenario is that it would drive the Loony Left completely off the deep end. Course, I think any Republican would to the White House in November would be enough to send you folks completely off the edge.
Posted by: John D | January 27, 2008 5:21 PM
John D,
Stop ripping off my ideas and get some of your own.
Posted by: C.Morris | January 27, 2008 8:20 PM