Astroworld

Bill McBride

Before Bill would complete his college education, at the University of Florida Law School, he felt it was his patriotic duty to volunteer to fight the war in Viet Nam. With that in mind he joined the Marine Corps in 1968, serving two tours of duty in Southeast Asia. For his combat duty in Vietnam, he was awarded the Bronze Star for valor. Prior to his discharge, McBride attained the rank of Captain, USMC. Bill returned to law school, obtaining his degree in 1975, graduating with honors and was a member of the prestigious Law Review. Shortly after that McBride joined the law firm of Holland & Knight.

By 1992 he was elected the managing partner of the 300-plus lawyer firm, and re-elected in 1997. Under McBride's management Holland & Knight grew to the nation's fifth largest law firm, with nearly 1400 attorneys and offices across the globe. He is married to Alex Sink, a prominent community and business leader, who recently retired after serving as President of Bank of America in Florida.

The couple have a son, William Albert McBride, born October 26, 1987, and a daughter, Cheryle Alexander McBride, born January 23, 1989. Both of his children attend public schools. The worsening and deplorable condition of Florida's public schools prompted Bill to run for governor, making improving education the centerpiece of his campaign.

Natal Chart for Florida Gubernatorial Candidate Bill McBride

Biographies of Bill McBride mention that he was an exceptionally bright student, pointing to his achievement of graduating with honors from law school and his academic excellence in high school, including being a member of the National Honor Society. Bill's Taurus Sun in his natal Third House indicates his need for self-expression and communication.

He has an articulate, curious mind. Mars, as co-ruler of his Mid-Heaven and tying to Aries on the Third, shows that Bill would need to be in a leadership positon, expressed through a career where he could convey his strong need to share and promote his ideas and concepts. Mars occupying the Second, of personal values, tells us that this position must affirm Bill's strongly idealistic nature and give him a feeling of value in his profession. Sun in the Third gives him the politician's requisite "Gift of Gab".

Bill's Scorpio Mid-Heaven points to a career of power and mental agility. Handling and managing a network of lawyers requires tact, a deft touch and teamwork cooperation. Co-ruler Mars, strong in Aries, and part of Bill's Aries stellium, points to his early military career incarnation in the Marine Corps. Cancer is on the cusp of Bill's natal Sixth of Military service, accounting for his national loyalty and patriotism that compelled him to fight for his country in an unpopular war.

Bill's military excellence, included graduating number one from the United States Army Ranger School. He was the leadership Honor Graduate of his Marine Corps Basic School Class. Leadership qualities and being number one, pioneering where no one else has gone before, are part and parcel of someone with a strong cluster of planets in Aries.

Bill's daring and adventure loving Aries planets, including Moon, which rules his Cancer Sixth of military service, is balanced out by his fixed Aquarius Ascendant, fixed Scorpio Mid-Heaven and his fixed Taurus Sun. This determination of purpose gave Bill the driving force and ambition to return to the university in pursuit of his law degree. In spite of some distracting obstacles he never lost sight of his goal.

It also explains, since fixed signs hate to initiate change, why he stayed with one law firm, Holland & Knight, for most of his professional career, moving up in the ranks to become its top managing partner. So much fixity, along with delaying Saturn in the Fifth of children, also points to Bill becoming a first-time dad fairly late in the game; at the age of 42. Note that Saturn in the Fifth didn't DENY children, as a lot of naysayers are quick to point out with Saturn in that position, but, instead, DELAYED having them.

McBride's Aquarius Ascendant, with ruler Uranus angular in the Fourth, strengthens his individualism and affirms his intelligence and ability to conceptualize solutions to problems on multi-levels. McBride is adept at utilizing the Aquarian style of flashes of brilliance, rather than the contemporary, plodding, mannerisms of conventional, linear thinking. Intellecually he conveys no association with the ponderous, bovine, mentality typically given to a Taurus Sun. Actually with his straightforward Aries Stellium, and having only the one planet in Taurus, McBride is really more of an Aries. Siderealists would rejoice at that acknowledgement.

Uranus is in square to Jupiter, which, as co-ruler of his natal Second of wealth and income would point to Bill being a self-made businessman, and a comfortably wealthy one at that. Bill should be proud of his achievements, coming from a humble working-class background as he did. His father, an Air Force vet, used the GI Bill to attend electronics school and supported the family as a TV repairman during Bill's childhood. Bill's stubborn, even dogmatic, refusal to accept anything that he didn't earn is shown by the square between chart ruler Uranus and Jupiter, affirming his philosophical concept of being the Captain of his own destiny.

Bill's all-important Mars opposes Neptune, across the 2nd/8th axis and both square Saturn, comprising a powerful Cardinal T-Square. This configuration, while bringing obstacles and challenges, can also provide tremendous energy and motivation. This is the pebble in the shoe provocation that drives Bill to be so vocal and outspoken, along with an iconoclastic Aquarius Ascendant. Mars provides the ambition and Neptune the inspiration that he can right wrongs and set the state on a course that benefits the majority of its citizens, not just the privileged Super Rich.

The square to Saturn indicates Bill's need to stir up the pot of complacency by challenging the status-quo. Unfortunately this can create problems due to timing and the inevitable Saturnian delays. This is illustrated by his self-imposed interruption of his studies to fight (Mars) in an idealistic (Neptune) defense of his country (Saturn in patriotic Cancer). Bill likely responded in typical Aries fashion, feeling that he had to DO something, preferring to take some kind of positive action, rather than sit around and stagnate.

The dynamics of the T-Square also manifested when Bill's studies were, once again, interrupted when then-incoming American Bar Association president Chesterfield Smith, Bill's mentor, tapped McBride as his assistant during his term as President and President-elect of the ABA. Having your ambitions and objectives side-tracked is typical of a challenging aspect involving Mars and Saturn. We see this operating again, when Bill, at the pinacle of his career and personal success, in a manner typifying his dynamic T-Square, decided to impose yet another diversion by seeking out the office of Governor of the state of Florida.

So what makes Billy run, to paraphrase an old movie title? Besides a strong drive to get in and change things for the better, a hallmark of a striving Aries Stellium, and Mars in a dynamic T-Square creating the impetus for change. Bill also gives every sign of being impatient of talkers and thinkers, although he can certainly hold his own there. McBride is a doer and one who feels its better to stir up the pot and get moving than to weigh and consider every angle before making a move. For that alone he has probably captured the imagination of long jaded Floridia voters with his fresh approach and down to earth style. But what are his changes of success?

Actually, damn good. That would be obvious by his narrowing the gap of his opponents 30 point lead down to one point in a manner of a few months. Astrologically, McBride has a number of aspects that point to the very strong possibility that he could pull this off and unseat a member of the Bush dynasty. Knowing how close this election has turned, every vote truly counts and I urge Floridians to get out and vote, McBride may be your best chance to thwart the rise of another Bush on his way to fulfilling Pappy Bush's wet dream of his own political dynasty.

We know that the Mid-Heaven (MC) is the status, career and destiny indicator of the chart. McBride's progressed MC has now moved to a harmonious trine aspect with his natal Sun. This is one of the most outstanding indicators of success in whatever endeavor one undertakes. Further, Bill's progressed Mars, the co-ruler of his natal Scorpio MC, and ruling his expressive Third House, has moved to join his Taurus Sun, compounding his already abundant ambition and need to come out on top.

As if that weren't enough, the combination of Sun/Mars, in Taurus, in trine to McBride's progressed Capricorn MC, is also receiving another trine from his progressed Jupiter, in Virgo. Thus giving him the blessings of a Grand Earth Trine, a nearly unstoppable combination. Jupiter rules McBride's Eleventh house, the sector of hopes and future goals. Mars in trine to the progressed MC shows Bill's tireless efforts to attain his aim, stimulating success, along with the trine to Jupiter favoring expanding and magnifying his career and public status.

Whenever the Ascendant or MC, by progression, enters zero degrees of a new sign this marks a turning point in the native's life. You can bet that something significant is going to mark that transition. For McBride, his progressed ASC has now entered zero Taurus. This is the area that covers his natal Third House, activating his need to communicate and come before the public to share and express his ideas and intentions. This shows McBride is finishing up one job and embarking on new direction with another.

Bill's progressed Moon, on the day of election, has moved to an exact trine to his natal Ascendant, showing that he strikes an emotional (Moon) chord and resonates with the people (Moon) he addresses. His public image is greatly enhanced by the trine aspect, providing him with strong support and good public rapport. This also enhances McBride's popularity with women voters, who have long felt that their objectives have not been adequately addressed by his opponent.

Conveying his point to the voters, and outlining a constructive plan of action for the new direction McBride sees for the state is also strengthened by yet another trine, this time between progressed Mercury and natal Mars. This brings out Bill's strong need to put a voice (Mercury) to his, and others, mounting concerns for Florida and to provide the leadership (Mars) to invoke the necessary changes. With an abundance of trines operating in McBride's favor this may be the good luck aspect he needs to unseat Jeb and become Florida's next Governor. His prospects, in that regard, look excellent.

Transit Chart for Florida Election

The transit chart is set for 7 PM, closing time for the polls in Florida, at the state capitol in Tallahassee. I've seen various charts for the beginning, when voting first commences, and for noon, the half-way point. But really, what counts is what the voters say when the polls close, and the counting starts with the objective of declaring a winner in the Governor's race.

At 7 PM transiting Mars in Libra is activating another Grand Trine, this time between transiting Neptune in Aquarius, which has been hovering around McBride's natal Ascendant. Rounding out the other leg of the Air trine is transiting North Node, of destiny, conjunct his natal Uranus, both in Gemini. In keeping with the nature of Uranus, this could show the unexpected and surprising upset win that Bill needs to remove Jeb from office. Transiting Neptune will activate the trine between McBride's Ascendant and chart ruler Uranus. This aspect indicates that the past is dissolving (Neptune), a chapter in his life has closed, and McBride is anxious and ready, to claim the future (Uranus). Hopefully the dynamics of the trine will work its benefits to his advantage.

Further, transiting Neptune, in the political Ninth House, conjunct McBride's natal Ascendant, showing he is actively promoting his personal (Ascendant) vision (Neptune), opposes his natal Pluto and both receive a square from transiting Mercury, in Scorpio. Of course Pluto represents raw power and control. Opposing idealistic Neptune may indicate that Bill is up against some powerful forces that will do their best to squash his vision for the future. What better description is there of the Bush Machine?

The transiting square from Mercury, also the chart ruler for the polls closing chart, to natal Pluto, indicates McBride may feel overcome and bombarded by the relentless attacks Bush is likely to unleash the last few weeks of the campaign. McBride is going to have to put up a strong counter offensive to retaliate against the powerful (Pluto) Republican stronghold, with its unlimited campaign treasure chest. This challenging aspect may indicate some unfortunate obstacles that stand in the way of a McBride victory.

This combination of a Grand Trine with a fourth planet, in this case Pluto, in Leo, opposing Neptune in Aquarius, extends the Grand Trine, with all of its lucky dynamics, if applied correctly, into a Kite formation. This tends to round out and stabilize the abundant energy of the Grand Trine, since the opposition provides a focal point to channel the frequently scattered energy found with a Grand Trine. With the intensity of the square from Mercury this may be more of a driver for success than the Grand Trine by itself would provide. This can result in an incredible gathering of strength, i.e. a philosophical "going to the well" one more time to focus on the purpose of overcoming his opponent's considerable onslaught.

Lunar Return for Bill McBride

Under the guise of leaving no stone unturned, McBride's Solar (SR) and Lunar Returns (LR) prior to the election provide some interesting clues to the outcome. Examining his SR we find a packed Ninth, the sector of politics. SR Sun is in the Eighth, always important for someone running for public office because it represents support, particularly financial, from others.

But probably the most powerful and telling aspect for McBride would be SR Jupiter, the planet of luck and good fortune, conjunct the SR Mid-Heaven, showing public acclaim and an advance in status, with his own North Node of destiny, only a few degrees away, all in a dynamic conjunction. Cancer is on the cusp of the MC, with both natal and SR Moons placed in the Seventh House. This frequently indicates a move, due to a job change, for the individual at sometime during the year. This comes from the Fourth House representing the home and domestic condition. The Seventh would therefore be the fourth house from the Fourth, or the new home.

Taking a look at McBride's Lunar Return for the period just prior to the November election we see another interesting set of planetary configurations to examine. The most remarkable is an exact Sun/Moon opposition. Being as this is a Lunar Return, that dynamic would involve the exact position of McBride's natal Moon in opposition to the LR Sun. One explanation of the outcome of this aspect is that certain life goals and objectives have been accomplished and completed.

Could this mean then, if it is McBride's destiny to rise from obscurity, with no political experience under his belt, to be the next Governor of Florida, he will have accomplished that aim? This aspect, since it is so rare that a Full Moon lands on the exact day of an individual's Lunar Return, indicates that something remarkable is about to happen that will have a far reaching impact on the course and direction of Bill McBride's future.

Natal Chart for Jeb Bush

Jeb Bush's desire to return to a second term as Florida's fifth Republican governor has a lot of history against his achieving that goal. In the 157-year history of the state, NO other Republican, among the previous five, has ever been elected to a second term as governor. With that in mind, Florida is said to be suffering from "Bush Fatigue", dwindling Jeb's chances for re-election. Recently this quote came from the Boston Globe newspaper, "The White House is concerned that a loss in Florida's gubernatorial race could be interpreted as a test of the president's prospects for winning reelection in 2004," Let's take an astrological look to see if history will hold true to form, or if Jeb will re-write the books in November.

We are all familar with Jeb's pedigree. Third child and second son of Pappy and Barbara Bush, Jeb is the offspring of political blue blood Connecticut affluence, groomed for public office from an early age and transplanted into a prominent and populous state, and one with a large electoral vote count, to extend a political dynasty. Just like his brother, there is little in his background to connect him to the state he governs.

Jeb, born in Midland Texas, and being more at home in the family mansions of Maine and Connecticut, had little knowledge or understanding of needs and issues peculiar to Floridians until he was transplanted there with the sole purpose of getting enough political experience under his belt to extend the Bush Family control of the White House after brother W's term in office has expired.

Jeb, an acronym for his given name of John Ellis Bush, was born February 11, 1953 in Midland Texas at 8:50 PM CST. This gives him detail oriented and practical Virgo on the Ascendant. Ruler Mercury, is weakened by being in Pisces, its detriment. Mercury's input is further confused by being placed in Jeb's natal Sixth House, the home postion of Virgo. So we have a detrimented Pisces Mercury, trying to behave like it was in Virgo. That could explain why Jeb reacts in the typical prickly, cranky Mercury in Virgo fashion when challenged by reporters over his dismal record of school spending or problems with the state's very flawed child welfare system.

In July, for example, when asked about discrepancies between his assertion that school spending is way up and critics' claims to the contrary, Bush replied: "They're lying and I'm telling the truth. That's the discrepancy." Clearly Bush carries the family arrogance which is, its that way because I say so, and don't question me any further. Jeb's verbal outbursts are enforced by the sesquisquare to Uranus. Nearly any negative aspect between Mercury and Uranus will result in either sudden flashes of insight, or dismissive impatience and being mentally scattered and restless.

Aquarian Sun men are well known for their charismatic charming qualities. Some of the country's best known screen idols and heart throbs have been born under that sign, Clark Gable, Tom Selleck, Burt Reynolds, James Dean, John Barrymore, to name a few. But in Jeb's case, while he isn't lacking for a cultivated public persona, his appearance and behavior is more akin to a Capricorn that an Aquarian. In that regard he shares with Dick Cheney the image of an Aquarian behaving more like a Capricorn.

This phenomenon could be attributed to the placement of Jeb's natal Moon in Capricorn, the sign of its detriment. Interesting to note that Jeb has four planets whose influence is dramatically weakened by being placed in a detrimental position. We've learned of Mercury and now the Moon. Jeb's Aquarian Sun and Aries Venus round out the list. This means that nearly all of Jeb's personal planets, that being the Sun through Mars, are in a debilitated state and lose a considerable amount of their power and influence in that condition.

Jeb's Capricorn Moon lends a cold, impersonal touch to his family (Moon) relationships. Further Jeb's Moon is besiged by a problematic square to Saturn, Capricorn's ruling planet. Note that Capricorn is on the cusp of Jeb's Fifth of Children, and he appears to be carrying on the oppressive mantle of duty and appearance (Saturn) drummed into him by his birth family (Moon) to his own children.

Jeb's Moon is also in square to Neptune, the planet ruling drugs and addiction. His eldest daughter, Noelle, in the headlines recently for several drug possessions and an attempted escape from re-hab, appears to be exemplfying this aspect. With Moon also ruling the public's needs, in square to heavy, restrictive Saturn, Jeb lacks the emotional sensitivity and empathy to relate to the cares and concerns of most of the people in his state.

His privileged background is shown by expansive Sagittarius on the cusp of the Fourth, the sector ruling the father and early childhood influence, and ruler Jupiter in moneyed Taurus, in the Eighth, a house with a stong association to money and support from others. Financial gain and comfort is shown by the sextile between Jupiter and Uranus, given strength by its angular position in Jeb's natal Tenth, the area that rules the status and achievement sector of the chart. Venus, ruler of Jeb's Second House of personal income, in square to that Uranus indicates that Jeb is perfectly willing to let himself be molded and cast into whatever form his family, particularly his father, desires, as long as he is protected by a lifestyle of privilege and comfort.

Mid-Heaven, the sector charting the professional and public activity indicators, is in versatile, restless and charming Gemini, ruled by Mercury, which, we have already learned, is impaired by not being in a happy placement. Except for the beneficial trine from Saturn, Jeb's Mercury lacks much strength, indicating that he is not particularly mentally adept or has much in the way of outstanding communicative and verbal skills. Further, Jeb lacks the qualities of an outstanding and prominent Saturn, despite the well organized and executive ability of the trine to Mercury, that is prominent in the charts of men who have risen to become President of the United States, so maybe we'll be spared that in future elections.

As for THIS election, and the all important outcome; the Florida Gubernatorial race is one of the most closely watched in the country, what do Jeb's progressions tell us of his prospects? Jeb's progressed activity for this year brings him a lot of challenging square aspects to be dealt with. This can bring defeat or it can sharpen his mettle to dig in and battle in the fight for his political life.

Among the more outstanding square aspects now operating in Jeb's progressed to natal chart would be progressed retrograde Venus moving back to square his natal Saturn. This is not a favorable aspect for political purposes, Venus also has the position of ruler of Jeb's political Ninth House. The square between Venus and Saturn shows that public opinion regarding the governor is one of detached indifference. The voters may feel that he has not adequately addressed their concerns, or facing his exeuctive responsibility (Saturn), and that his focus has been on other issues not relevant to the majority of Floidians. This combination can bring with it disappointments and a reversal in popularity.

Progressed Jupiter in square to natal Pluto may account for Jeb's mismanagment and the resultant scandals at the Department of Children and Families, under his watch, including a 5-year-old Miami-Dade girl, Rilya Wilson, who was supposed to be under state watch but went missing for over a year before the state even noticed. Opponents point to this as evidence of Jeb's failure that he would fix Florida's child protection system. This is where Bill McBride has pointed out, and a good number of citizens agree with him, that Bush has been too focused on helping big businesses and wealthy Floridians.

Another aspect that could prove problematic for Jeb would be progressed Jupiter in square to his natal Sun. This typically manifests in making exaggerated promises, being too overly optimistic and dismissing any negative or contrary opinions that should be given full weight and importance, otherwise they come back to haunt you. The voters may hold Jeb accountable for his hyperbole and amplified claims that the state's education system (Jupiter) is running well, despite falling to dead last, among the fifty states, in money invested in public schools, and near last in academic output.

Florida has also experienced a drain of their educational braintrust as teacher salaries have not kept pace with those of surrounding states. Jupiter in square to the Sun can also provide a blessing (Jupiter) in disguise opportunity to leave behind an unfulling and unproductive career and strike out on a new life path.

Lagging responsibilities and not responding to criticism in a timely manner can also be the reason behind Jeb's lukewarm assertion that the voting machine scandal that has plagued Florida has been fixed. Evidence of this was very much to the contrary when several malfunctions in the new machines surfaced in the primary run-off between Bill McBride and challenger Janet Reno. You'll remember that an earlier problem with hanging and dimpled "chads", also in Florida, resulted in the Democratic loss of the Presidential election that rightfully should have gone to Al Gore, who did win the majority of popular votes.

On the otherhand, it would be a mistake to dismiss Jeb so easily. While the squares present a challenge to him, and diminish his popularity, they may not be enough to overcome some other aspects that appear to be strongly working in his favor. He is now enjoying a lucky trend by being in a fortuitous Jupiter period, blessing him with good fortune and boosting his public acclaim.

By progression Jeb is also enjoying the benefits of progressed Saturn in a trine aspect to his natal Sun. Further this becomes a progressed Grand Trine when we add the trine from Saturn to Jeb's natal Gemini Mid-Heaven, the profession and status sector of the chart. This is an excellent augur for public success, particularly to advance a political career.

Generally speaking, the influence of squares outweigh that of trines, but the combination of a Sun/Saturn/MC Grand Trine, along with the good fortune of a Jupiter period, may be more powerful than the energy of a few progressed squares. This is another indication, along with the narrowing poll numbers, that the race in Florida will be very tight indeed.

Tallahassee Ingress for Florida Gubernatorial Election

Normally I use Ingress charts set for Washington, D.C., to get a preview of what's in store for the Nation for the 3 months covered by the particular ingress. But they can be used, just as successfully, for state matters. This one is calculated for the capitol city of Tallahassee, and covers the time period that would include the November 5th election.

The Mid-Heaven (MC) of an Ingress, and its ruling planets, tell the state and condition of the Chief Exeuctive, and the political party in power. In this case that would specifically be Jeb Bush and his Republican Party. Conversely the opposing sector, the IC and its ruling planets, represent the same for his opponent or the opposing party. That would be Bill McBride and the Democrats. Pisces is on the cusp of the MC. Primary ruling planet Neptune is succedent, in the Eighth, and in retrograde condition. Retrograde indicates "going back", and can be interpreted as a return to a previous condition. Either Jeb, as shown by the retrograde state of Neptune, will be returning to his office as governor, or he may be returning to private life.

Co-ruler Jupiter is opposing Neptune, adding to the previously mentioned tendency of the Governor to paint an inaccurately rosy picture of his accomplishments. Negative aspects involving Neptune indicate an inclination to gloss over difficulties and to over emphasize dubious accomplishments. Twisting facts around for personal gain is typical of this aspect. The people of Florida may wake up too late and realize they've been duped into thinking as the Bush Machine wants them to believe. Unless, of course, they have an astrologer who can forewarn them. Gee, I wonder who that could be??!

Jupiter, like Neptune, is also in a succedent house, and is peregrine, meaning that it occupies a sign that is neither home, fall or detriment for it. This gives it no influence, strength or remarkable weakness. Planets in succedent houses bring opportunities for growth and development, usually through being forced into a situation that denies what you want, but can turn out to be a blessing in disguise.

The Tenth House, the sector ruling the Chief Exeuctive of whatever entity we are examining, in this instance, has an intercepted sign. Meaning that we an additional planet to examine. Pisces comes to the cusp of the Ingress Tenth, with Aries intercepted. Ruling planet, Mars is in Virgo, also in a peregrine state, not retrograde. Mars is also opposing the MC, representing the Governor, and moving to conjunct the IC, the sector that represents his opponent and the opposing political party. No surprise that Jeb is in a major battle and that he intends to fight (Mars) by any means necessary. Look for an especially dirty political campaign on Bush's part, with Mars in square to devious, manipulative Pluto.

On the other side, the Fourth House features Virgo on the cusp, with ruling planet, Mercury, strong by being angular, and in a retrograde state. Retrogrades represent a "return" or going back to a previous condition. Unfortunately, this may indicate that McBride, as his party's nominee for the office of Governor, could, likewise be returning to a previous condition, or going back to private life.

Like its counterpart, the Ingress Fourth House has an interception and ruling planet. With Virgo on the cusp of the Fourth, Libra is intercepted, ruling planet Venus is found in Scorpio, the sign of its detriment, this weakens any positive influence and strength it may have. This makes it difficult to determine a clear winner judging by the aspects and planetary positions.

For Jeb we have Jupiter and Mars in no particular power or influence, and retrograde Neptune indicating that he could be going back to the governor's office, if he can overcome the negative impact of the progressed squares, and mostly lukewarm transits activating his natal chart.

For Bill McBride, he, too, could come out on top in this race, if he can utilize the abundance of significant aspects operating in his progressed, Solar Return, Lunar Return and transit charts. However, he fails in the final test, the aspects of the Ingress chart. Are the nullifying effects of this one chart strong enough to counter the strongly positive indicators shown by all the other Bill McBride charts in combination? This race will be close, the polls and the charts show that.

Let me finish with a excerpt from a speech Bill McBride gave at the annual Jefferson-Jackson Democratic Party rally in Fort Lauderdale on July 20. He says, "I'm the only (candidate) who was raised in Florida and went to our public schools and universities. I'm the only one who served in the United States military. I'm the only one whose parents live in Florida and who understands how state policies toward seniors---or the lack of them---affect our seniors."

I'm the only one who believes in an independent judiciary that protects civil rights and constitutional rights. I'm the only one whose kids are in public school, the only one who believes in public schools, and the only one with an honest plan to improve our public schools.

And let me tell you one other thing: If you give me your support in this campaign, if you stand with me and speak out for what's right. . . then I promise you this: When I'm standing with Jeb Bush, I will be the only one on the stage who's going to be sworn in as governor of Florida in January".

The Stars indicate that he has a excellent chance to pull the rabbit out of his hat, and to obstruct the Bush Machine plans to expand their own political empire. I can't vote in Florida, but for those that can, McBride appears to be the best chance we have, and by extention, the rest of the nation, to reclaim this proud democracy as we once knew it.