BUSH TEES OFF AT DAVIS AFTER CALL FOR AHCA SECRETARY TO STEP DOWN

Governor Jeb Bush opened fire on Congressman Jim Davis of Tampa Thursday after the Democratic gubernatorial hopeful called on Agency for Health Care Administration Secretary Alan Levine to step aside.

Levine has applied for the job to head the taxpayer-assisted North Broward Hospital District. He reportedly e-mailed members of his leadership team last week that he would remain as AHCA Secretary but would recuse himself from any decisions regarding the North Broward district.

In a statement released by his campaign, Davis said:

"It's understandable that Levine would be interested in his own financial well-being, but the person who holds this office should have the health of Floridians as their only concern. It's the governor's responsibility to make sure he has someone who is looking out for Florida's patients, while his senior health care aide is out looking for a bigger paycheck."

Shortly after signing several hurricane prepardness bills, Bush responded not by addressing the issue, but by attacking Davis' congressional voting record and for missing a close vote to extend the federal Patriot Act:

"This is the guy, Congressman Davis from Tampa? The guy who is 10th out of 435 congressman in terms of...not being on the job, not voting -- 10th worst in the Congress -- telling me to tell someone in my agency that works 24-7 on behalf of the people of the state that he should resign? No way."

"This is the guy that didn't vote for the reauthorization of the Patriot Act 'cause he had to come down here and do a political stop...He's on very thin ice as a politician that has been elected to go serve in Washington and misses vote after vote after vote so he can pursue his personal ambitions."

Levine, who previously served as Bush's deputy chief of staff, was one of the governor's most controversial appointments. Senate President Tom Lee (R - Brandon) blocked Levine's confirmation for more than a year until this past legislative session, in part due to an e-mail he sent to a hospital corporation suggesting working against GOP senators who were opposing Bush and his agenda to limit medical malpractice lawsuits. Eventually, all was made good and Levine was confirmed unanimously.