Not Again...
Is there some rule somewhere that says that only Republicans can engender this kind of response in people?
"He has that warm, genuine friendship," said Peggy Farmer, a longtime GOP activist in Volusia County. "I really feel he thinks of me as his friend."
The woman above is referring to Charlie "Super Tan Man" Crist. I hate that entire news pieces can be written solely to place Davis and Crist at opposite ends of the personality spectrum. Come on. Why does this happen every time? I've watched Jim Davis and he is perfectly personable, if serious. Charlie seems smarmy and fake-friendly. But they're certainly not quoting anyone who says that, or bothering to look beyond a half-assed false dichotomy that doesn't exist. And this one hurts my soul:
Davis' serious demeanor better reflects the looming crisis of skyrocketing property taxes and insurance. But his stilted speaking style and strict adherence to talking points have supporters worried he can't connect with Floridians more interested in comfort food politics rather than orders to eat their veggies.
Good Lord. This story then goes on to describe the race as a "classic choice between style and substance."
Well, yes, if you insist on oversimplifying and relentlessly stereotyping the candidates.
If I weren't so angry about Florida politics all the time, I'd probably find it funny that even in terrible articles from conservative newspapers that oversimplify the governor's race, they do get one thing right: Charlie Crist isn't actually competent. He's not a details guy, or even a basic competency guy (how can you serve as the state's education commissioner and yet not know even the basics of the state test, the FCAT?). He's a self-described "happy warrior."
Unlike Jeb Bush, who was infatuated with "white papers" delineating each detail of reform, Crist offers warm-milk pledges to improve education and lower property taxes with little explanation. It may not matter.When Crist's speech ends with a clarion call for a bright future, passionately pleading for voter's hearts and their votes with a promise that he's "fighting for you," the crowd roars before they line up for a photo and hug.
No, no, no, no, no.