Putnam then did what he does best, quietly, methodically make more friends. He got to know big-money lobbyists, statewide fundraisers, and other wealthy and powerful friends who would ultimately help him in his quest to grab the brass ring he so covets. Immediately following the tumultuous 2017 legislative session, a session where many were asking, “where is Adam Putnam?” he emerged and announced that he was, finally, a candidate for Governor. Given the fact that he has spent his entire life preparing for this moment, developing his policy chops and ideas on governing the state – one might have thought Putnam would announce with great fanfare, new ideas, and passion yet unseen in Florida. This announcement should have rivaled that of Jeb Bush’s 1998 kick-off – the heir apparent, the man whose time had come. Yet we were instead reminded that Adam Putnam is no Jeb Bush.
At his big kick off, Adam Putnam announced that it was time to put Florida First. Really – forty years in the making and that is Adam Putnam’s bold new plan and inspiring new slogan – Putting Florida First. In essence, this is the Publix Deli equivalent of an Air Sandwich. To be fair, Putnam has further boldly proclaimed that his priorities would focus on education, public safety and making Florida friendly to veterans and the military. Of course, even our tourists know that Florida has a long history of being very pro-veteran and pro-military while and it is lost on no one that every Governor in modern time has made education and public safety a priority in Florida. So much for the bold vision thing.
