U.S. Rep. Kendrick Meek, chairman of Sen. John Kerry's presidential campaign in Florida, took a vicious jab at Gov. Jeb Bush.

"The governor was like bin Laden after the 2000 election," the congressman sniped during a conference call arranged by Kerry's campaign Friday. "No one could find him when they had issues as it relates to so many African-American votes that were left on the floor in many supervisor of elections offices throughout the state."

Meek, of course, failed to note that most of the screw-ups in that election happened in the notorious Democrat-run counties.

Mel Martinez, a leading candidate for the Republicans' U.S. Senate nomination in Florida, fired back today with this statement:

"Congressman Meek's comments were out of line. Likening the Governor of the state of Florida to a murdering, terrorist thug for political gain is inappropriate and unbecoming behavior for a Member of Congress. This type of political rhetoric is what seeks to divide people and should not be tolerated. As we conduct a political election during this difficult time of war, I encourage Congressman Meek to apologize to the Governor. I hope that all candidates, regardless of party, will conduct themselves in a manner fitting our nation - Floridians deserve as much."

We wonder why Meek is even bothering to toil for Kerry. As we noted during Kerry's appearance here in infamous Palm Beach (Pea Brain) County in late April, Kerry fawned over the white political leaders in attendance and snubbed Meek.

Another sign of the New Englander's obvious discomfort with blacks: As the New York Post reported today, the Democrat presidential campaign still has a stunning lack of that favorite Democrat platitude, "diversity."

Editor's note: