Opinion of Lawton Chiles?

[Sir Mohamed]

Your opinion of Lawton Chiles? Senator from Florida, 1971-89 and Governor 1991-98, Democrat. He got famous by defeating Jeb Bush in the gubernatorial election of 1994 during the GOP wave.


Clearly a FF if you ask me.

[Santander]

The old he-coon walks just before the light of day.

[Mr. Smith]

Massive FF, literally voted for him twice in the Senators series.

[This account no longer in use.]

Helped to delay Yeb!'s political career. FF.

[LLR]

FF with a cool name. Is he the only US Senator who's last name contains a country inside of it (I doubt it, but hey, you never know)

[Atlas Has Shrugged]

FF.

[Maxwell]

The old he-coon walks just before the light of day.

[Free Bird]

Prevented a President Yeb!
Enabled a President Dubya

FF on balance

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

My opinion of a person that presided over 17 executions is not high.

[President Johnson]

FF.
Was a great governor and senator. His 1,000 mile march in the campaign of 1970 was amazing. And he kicked Mr. Low Energy's a*** in 1994, especially during the last debate. Just sad that he died a month before his term was over.

[Maxwell]

My opinion of a person that presided over 17 executions is not high.

I guess we have to think about Chiles in the context of Florida politics.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

My opinion of a person that presided over 17 executions is not high.

I guess we have to think about Chiles in the context of Florida politics.

In context of Florida politics, he was obviously a major FF. However, this still colors my personal opinion of him. Although not that negative as of Bob Graham, who basically made his career on bringing the electric chair back to work.

To be fair, Governor of Florida has limited means to commute a death sentence (he needs a consent of the cabinet and no commutation occured since Graham's time in office) and, since 1970s, is required to produce death warrants, possibly because Haydon Burns, who was Governor from 1965 to 1967, simply refused to issue any. Reubin Askew got some heat from signing only one death warrant during his tenure, which expired anyway.

Interestingly, Florida has a string of three successive anti-death penalty Governors (Collins-Bryant-Burns). Claude R. Kirk basically won the 1966 election on promising to execute death row inmates. He was producing warrant after warrant, but it was always stayed by the courts.

[nclib]

FF. BTW, is Kay Hagan's uncle.