US President George W Bush made his first trip to Florida since taking office today , as Democrats welcomed him with an ad blitz aimed at resurrecting the specter of the disputed 2000 election.
And a thin line of protestors met him at the Marina Civic Center with a bright orange banner declaring "Bush Stole the Election," which fluttered in gusty winds.
"Some of the Democrats here want to keep re-voting the election, but if they would listen to America, they would find that Americans want to move forward," the president said as he toured a military housing facility.
The comments came in response to a question about a Democratic advertising campaign that takes twin shots at the president's ambitious tax plan and the role his brother Jeb, Florida's governor, played in the nearly 40-day battle over Florida's presidential election results last year.
"Jeb Bush didn't stand up to count Florida's votes right. And George Bush's budget undermines prosperity. Bush fuzzy math: it doesn't add up," according to a script of the ad released to reporters.
Many Democrats are still bitter over the US Supreme Court's controversial ruling that ended hand recounts in Florida and effectively handed the state to Bush.
AFP