He gave the legislature three days to approve it. A whiff of national politics hovered overhead. Bush's reform was based on a similar measure enacted some years back by his older brother, Texas Gov. George W. Bush, currently GOP presidential front-runner. Democrats said Bush was railroading them to make George look tough as primary season opens. The death penalty is one of those things, like guns and free-market medicine, that make America unique among industrialized nations.
Countries banning it include all of Western Europe, Canada, Australia and most of South America.
Those permitting it include the Muslim and communist blocs, the former Soviet republics, about half of sub-Saharan Africa, and the United States, where 38 states permit it. Florida is third in annual executions, behind Texas and Virginia. Worldwide, China is first, followed by Congo, America and Iran. Not surprisingly, the Florida debate quickly became a partisan brawl. Democrats said limiting appeals would result in executing innocent people.