Posted on Sun, Aug. 04, 2002 Democratic club's support for Reno sparks walkout By SARA OLKON solkon@herald.com

Janet Reno was endorsed for governor Saturday by the Council of Presidents of the Democratic Clubs of Broward, but the decision was by no means overwhelming. At least nine members walked out in protest.

Some of the angered leaders were vocal supporters of Reno's closest rival for the Democratic nomination, Tampa attorney Bill McBride, and said the vote should never have taken place.

Others, like Patrick Jabouin, president of the Caribbean-American Democratic Club, said he simply opposes endorsing a candidate in a race where there is more than one Democrat, fearing such a move is divisive for the party.

The endorsements were done in private inside the community room of the Davie Police Station. The presidents in attendance voted 15-14 in favor of allowing the endorsements, according to several council presidents.

Sophie Bock, president of the Century Village Democratic Club in Pembroke Pines, joined in the walk-out.

''A Democratic club supports all Democrats,'' she said.

Meanwhile, a dozen or so other interested members of the party, a few wearing McBride T-shirts, bemoaned the proceedings.

''You don't choose between your children,'' said Caryl Hattan, a member of the Broward Teachers Union's committee on political education. ``Wait until after the primary.''

Murray Goldstein, vice president of the Parkland/Coral Springs Democratic Club, said the Reno endorsement was ''railroaded through'' and would not ``reflect the attitude of the average person on the street.''

But Reno supporter Murray Hirsh, 77, treasurer of the Pembroke Pines/Miramar Democratic Club, said the endorsement provision was written into the council's by-laws.

John Coleman, president of the Council of Presidents and a Reno volunteer, said the controversy was nothing more than a case of sour grapes.

''The McBride people didn't want the vote taken because they didn't have the vote,'' he said. ``I only followed the by-laws. The by-laws said I had to do what I did.''

The council also endorsed Scott Maddox for Attorney General; Paul Douglas Eichner for Broward School Board, seat at large; Marty ''Martin'' Rubenstein for School Board, District 6; Corey Alston for Senate, District 29; Alain ''Alan'' Jean for Florida House, District 94; and Franklin Sands, Florida House, District 98.

-- Anonymous, August 04, 2002

Answers

My understanding of McBride's problem (and I may be wrong, not living in Florida) is that he is not well known, whereas Reno has close to 100% name recognition. McBride is being supported by top party leaders plus organized labor, who fear Reno will be a loser.

Anyway, I think little dustups like this will give McBride more name recognition, and not in a bad way.

-- Anonymous, August 04, 2002