Reubin Askew Folder Citation: Collection: Records of the 1976 Campaign Committee to Elect Jimmy Carter ; Series: Noel Sterrett Subject File; Folder: Reubin Askew; Container 69 To See Complete Finding Aid: http://www.jimmycarterlibrary.gov/library/findingaids/Carter-Mondale%20Campaign_1976.pdf .. �.�-- ALAN L. O'rTEN mental By labor, ·houSing, juvenile correcti -�� ,�,· ReubiD � en . J:: :;��ZJ�(;t�=��:o!�� . ·� preiddteiUJI&.t · a ,COllldlt��;�:I =�Jti!f/����uie .." l'III.Uol:uut· A _ �=· >�- tem,.a � tt eo� blmhe won··t vofu¢eer · nanc1al 1�:r,:; . �· .. dratt. d: . ciat(anof � :Wo ers. - : ::i . a convention � not to enscandal uee m.t.kture of tde&nltin 8nd'· firmly Intend get Involved," he Wh ·· "He's a q r pragmatism," Sen. Kenneth press that's state supreme observes State a conference. "No, and ed to In· ll & a.sso- elected offtdals; ¥ mov quickly Ma Ka "On honesty, " he te s visl.tor: His closest vestigate and c y. isSues 'of integrtty; insist says thing act against the offenders. On he the same in pri· morality, human rights-he's a tiger. Now he's fighting for further judicial re· social and economic issues, he's highly· and most of them believe he won't · fonn, and tougher disclosure and conflict pragmatic." >­ his mind. la Q:: of interests ws. Yet Mr. Askew's name keeps appearing Mr. Askew can indeed be tough when 118 'Oil F1nances-Over heavy opposition, he de· � the lists that politicians and reporters 1970 needs to be, and hi-s willingness to speak. CX) livered on a campaign pledge to es· his If. ...... i�;Gmpile of d&rk·horse presidential poBBibU· corporate mind seems to appeal to people, even tablish a income tax. He also in· ...J �s-a man to whom a deadlocked Demo· they don't agree with him; Floridiaaa stituted the state's mineral severance dis ee with ��en.tlc Convention might well tum. And first overwhelmingly agr d his lnls1D'g. Q:: rose., LA.J yaat reflects two Interesting facts. position, but his personal popularity · · ' 1- � One is �f: that Democrats are generally at the same time. Q:: P "It's just . something I ; �� PY with the men currently seeking "He guts," R. H: B ba ' has says "Buildingub 5 fi,tbe nomination. The don't desire," says Reubin Semon, president of the Florida Is Coun "He'll >­ BOther that when Askew of the presidency. and Construction Trades cU. Q. :eandidate-pickers stand up and tell UB what he's going to �· 0 1i u look &round for even if it's not what we want to hear, and· �·�someone else, they then he tells bUBinessmen what he's going · tax and has taken other steps to raise rev- to It not F see some very ap- do, even it's what they want to �- enue for new and expanded state services. �pealing qualities in hear." Despite this, he enjoys wide support in the Reubin Askew. Some Criticism Too business community. "He's sincere, he's , Obviously, he w1ll1ng isn't his l.� his fla honest, he's always accessible and Naturally, Mr. Askew witho� ws and of him to listen," says Scott Linder, presi dent critics. Many conservative-s find f&r rtdrawbacks. He li als �.lacks the state Chamber of Commerce. "He's too liberal, and many ber find him too broad expert· ." In in at· beena good goverilor for the state cautious and conservative-both fiscal f��ce foreign nee.r :.;.fairs His Florida does reptaln, however, the affairs and on such Issues u divorce· or . adminis- rtion :,�trat!,;.xt bottom of the states In per-capita spending abo . hasn't been most now, with ·"boldiv inno on major services, and the The now Is trom vative · chief criticism coming · too recession cutting state revenues, the gov the liberals, who feel he's veere d f&r ··and experimental. hu to in tends to a ernor committed himself hold down right the past year or so. Most were in­ He be also on spending and avoid new taxes. He op- clined to excuse it &s a IDgtcal, pre:.election .loner, a litUe the o to relax ',stlft poses any m ve the constitutional they're dt.sturbed side. move, but that he st111 rso tax. seems tln ing··:on 9. But his are ban on a pe nal income c ?� assets considerable. He's his to be on u tlg conservative �pleasant-looking without being movie-Idol Eucation-Pud blic education made course, with a very ht budget and a so minim legis I'Of!'&lll· o climb possible, he beUeves, and al lative P 'handsome. He projects an aura of com· wn His s dee to its support. iast plete sincerity, honesty, and integrity-a he' ply committed "With the mandate of November," tnde· of b he says. be· State Grahain, "be "Mr. Clean" image tllat appeals to advocacy using, wasn't says Sen. D. Robert u he liked ft. but was because he was In , ;mdents and Republicans as well Dem· cause an ideal position tO' give some force­ "':lts. wanted to preserve the school system and ful direction on major issues-to do some· erty." · tax ' "ie's a down-to-e&rth, poor-boy-makes· help "break the cycle of black pov thing more, for instance, about our 1 can dminis base · to 'd Southerner who attract the Wal· His a tration pushe d through a and so Improve the state's ability '� also ot so- �· vote, but he's one the more school equalization law giving greater respond to a whole range of emerging "i· so South" be ... fi1:ldtlcated "New governors with state aid to poorer school districts that needs. Instead, pulled' away from that." !· :· . , a xima Is pro tely broad national appeal. He respected by all districts would have p "The explanation," ' spe ing. UnW the urren only possible Mrs. eq al per-pupil n d c t. national ·.top Democra.Uc politicians (he keynoted u Burkholz asserts, "is political am· 'the 19'72 ye&r, state outlays per student have risen bitions. He tbe Democratic Convention, and seems to feel national mood steadily and substantially. is person down _George McGovern twice asked him to take for a who holds spending, still spends comparatively and is ·the vice presidential nomination), but for Yet Florida so he pandering to the right." 'most a people he would be new, non-Wash· little on education, and one group express· assoc Mr. Askew's iates concede he's lngton face-just what a disillusioned pub· ing "growing disenchantment" with Mr. �lie be Is following a slightly more conservative might desperately seeking. Askew the teachers. They feel he should His raise to ft. course lately, but they say it's mainly be· have fought to taxes this ye&r the · determined, though unBUccessful, cause of and . in 1972 state's revenue bind the fight early to defeat an anti-busing nance higher outlays for education, rather his peo- difficulty of getting liberal legislation .;referendum, and concern for poor than holding them steady or In some cases "His through the current legislature, dominated \pie and minorities, have made him a hero trimming. record has been good," , to by conservatives. They add that Mr. many Democratic ltbera.ls. Yet he's no says Yvonne Burkholz. lobbyist for the u ott A.skew never was liberal as out-of-state �far-out crusader likely to scare less lib- Florida Education Association, "but for tag reporters and politicians perceived him. &era.I voters; the "populist" often tied to the past year and a halt his commitment The all has governor himself argues he's not -� Is btt too strong. been lacking." a that conservative now either. :�£, And to a th Equal c p it all, e 46-year-old Mr. Opportualty-The governor hu "It � ercom luis in first states attempted to ov e �Askew put together his four appointed large numbers of women and own shorttal'ls their revenue by increaSing ·.jears as governor a record that won him blacks to top jobs, ha:s pressured state ..ee. bimlecti. aa -� to their taxes," he says,. "then collectively .�.��r, on lml t Novem rsalber an d agencies and private employers do the th y' dilute wha the- . - o • ......., hu h&rd e d tever stimulus fedeial . o.,....� a st tml ve p same, and fought for the Equal tax It's Florida: rebate might p�Vfde." a perfect ):hroughout . Rights Amendment. He obviously ed spises time. continues, t(;, � and exam· ,; Consider stands Gov. George he step . a few items: . the racial o, Alabama me all the spend.ing programs to new of the .:�: EIR'Ironment-Strollg new laws seek Wallace, and practically every major term: ·� ha&to� be a year of�lt· an first Safeguard' Florida's environment, provtd- Askew speech includes exhorta.tion to reassessment., . .·. ; ·: . standards to be tigbtening and '�_tough met in major de- rest:rt appeals to prejudice and hate. "He adds, "are in Americans generally, he ��elOpment_. !1f0Jects and been the putting certain has a damn good goVernor for an of rising tM.�we . sttnplY oQle.r areas t the sta of age expecta.tlona )Jes.ches, parks'and ou of pri· black community and !or te Flor­ on. a �-1n biB. first T;;;.Willanl of can't deliver We have· veey strong �ate reach. "What Ida," declares Fair,· head the but still e.re · ,_.Miami ..� �,_c,......•. economy, there going to bave .·four years has te astound:IDg/' Ur� �"i' 'p: •. · · ... - ·•• been· qui nts..- ! : - --no'"'"... ·�; u... ll'lrii"'.,R . 'l'he imt��'Silive' ' reooM ���cm!fii to be some major a djus.�e � B.<'I\'!Di\'if";-- : : ,._ -� -··�- ...