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Jackson: Florida’s promise will endure
Mar 07, 2011 - Tampa Bay Online
TALLAHASSEE – In a ceremony the subject himself described as "humbling" and "amazing," Will Weatherford, the Republican wunderkind from Wesley Chapel, ascended to state House of Representative speaker-designate Monday.
The unanimous approval of 77 Florida Republican representatives present in the House chamber put Weatherford, 31, in line to succeed current Speaker Dean Cannon (R-Winter Park) during 2012-2014. Barring unforeseen events, Weatherford will become Pasco County’s first speaker in more than 100 years, and the first from the Tampa Bay area since Plant City’s Johnnie Byrd (2002-2004).
The celebrant’s abashed response to a solid hour of reverse-roasting was typical. The oldest male among nine competitive and accomplished siblings from Land O’ Lakes, he is far more accustomed to needles and headlocks – what the brood calls "growing up Weatherford" – than unceasing admiration.
Nonetheless, an assortment of colleagues and confidants – including Rep. Seth McKeel (R-Plant City), once his top rival for leadership; and his father-in-law, former Speaker Allan Bense – took turns waxing rhapsodic.
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If they sometimes sounded like they were describing a blue-chip recruit – Bense called him "the entire package" – well, politics and football both involve collisions and committee meetings. Cape Coral’s Gary Aubuchon described "a natural-born leader." Marianna’s Marti Coley said Weatherford would "get in the trenches and take the hits with us."
Small wonder, then, that in this moment of moments, Weatherford stumbled at the onset of an acceptance speech he’d been rehearsing for nearly a month. Locking both hands on the lectern, Weatherford conceded later, "I really didn’t know what to say. I hope I can live up to half of what they said about me."
His recovery, however, was seamless, reaffirming the praiseworthy qualities others had stacked like so much cordwood. Under the full glare of the capitol spotlight and with the gallery groaning with several hundred Pasco County supporters and dignitaries, Weatherford delivered a crisp 20-minute speech that was equal parts personal narrative, statement of principles and rallying cry, all wrapped around a promise to be a "servant leader."
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Citing the Founders’ "radical experiment" and rights "descending from God," Weatherford spoke of the enduring "promise of Florida" – the kind that prompted Cathy and Bill Weatherford to load five youngsters into the family station wagon and set out halfway across the country from Texas in pursuit of no more than a dream.
On behalf of others just like them, "We will not be looking at the next election," Weatherford said, "but at the next generation."
No one within the sound of Weatherford’s voice mistook the speech for anything besides what it was: A launching vehicle. Rep. Richard Corcoran (R-New Port Richey), former chief of staff to now-Sen. Marco Rubio, called it "Marco-esque."
Former Dade City Mayor Hutch Brock – not such an old fellow himself – provided the coda: "Can you imagine being that guy? That age and that future? Incredible."
