Bill McBride said the November 2002 election for Florida’s governor is going to be an election of the century that can give Florida citizens what they want for their state and their future.

“People are always looking for someone to trust, and they hope their government and leaders will be like that,” McBride said. “I will present myself to see if what I want to do is something people want.”

McBride, a democratic candidate for governor, spoke to students in a public policy class Tuesday about the experiences in a segregated city and the military that influenced his campaign and issues.

McBride told students about growing up in Leesburg, Fla., a city that was once segregated. McBride said while living in Leesburg he learned that everyone wants the same thing.

“Nobody is different, everyone wants a government to help them achieve what they want,” McBride said.

McBride said his military service in the Marine Corps. was a great experience in which he learned about leadership.

McBride said his service in Vietnam taught him that care and confidence needs to be shared with people in order to be effective.

“The problem in Florida is we don’t have enough of that,” McBride said. “If elected, my job is to make sure everyone has a stake in the game.”

McBride said he wants everyone to have a chance to be successful and live the American dream. He said it is the governor’s responsibility to balance the budget, and if elected he would reprioritize the whole budget.

“The most important things are public education and human services,” McBride said. “Cuts that hurt people first, would be the last.”

Junior Johnnie Cooper asked McBride his intentions for running in the campaign.

McBride said he decided to run because he thinks he has an opportunity to beat Gov. Jeb Bush. McBride said Bush has hurt the university system and we shouldn’t have another four years with him as governor.

“I didn’t want to sit around and be a complainer,” McBride said. “I thought I could do better.”

Cooper said McBride is a man who is in charge and knows what he is talking about.

“He is an educated man and a leader with his military experience,” Cooper said. “He is an excellent choice, although other candidates have a chance to win.”

McBride’s democratic competition includes Janet Reno, Lois Frankel and Daryl Jones.

Judge Raymond Gross said he invited McBride to speak in his class, Public Policy and Policymakers in Florida. Gross said the class discusses forms of public policy and he invites people that are important and glad to join students.

“They get to hear from the ultimate source,” he said.

Tara Klimek, former student body vice president, joined McBride in the classroom to encourage students to get involved with McBride’s campaign.

“You get a chance to meet a lot of people and make a difference with people,” Klimek said.

• Contact Grace Agostin atoraclegrace@yahoo.com