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Rick Scott ducks Chuck Todd question about veto

UPDATE: Gov. Rick Scott's press office asked Crowley Political Report to add this statement:

“I don’t want to tell Governor Brewer what to do, she can do what’s best for her state. From my understanding of that bill, I would veto it in Florida because it seems unnecessary. In Florida we are focused on economic growth, and not on things that divide us. We are for freedom here in Florida.  And we want everyone to come here, create jobs, and live in freedom, and that includes religious liberty. I am very much opposed to forcing anyone to violate their conscience or their religious beliefs, and of course, I’m very much opposed to discrimination. As a society, we need to spend more time learning to love and tolerate each other, and less time trying to win arguments in courts of law. Other states can spend their time fighting over issues like this, but in Florida we are laser focused on creating jobs and opportunities. It’s working, and we need to keep it going and will not get distracted by this or anything else.” – Gov. Rick Scott

 

Poor Rick Scott. Florida's governor is either terribly ill-advised or he is not following good advice. Whatever the case, Scott's performance on Chuck Todd's The Daily Run Down, was at times painful to watch.

While many Republican leaders are condemning Arizona legislation allowing businesses, based on religious beliefs,  to refuse service to gay customers, Scott insists he knows nothing about the legislation.

Asked by Todd whether he thinks Arizona Gov. Jane Brewer should veto the bill, Scott said, "Chuck I have not seen that bill. What I'm focused on is they have some Spring training teams I want to get back to Florida."

Yup. Scott talked about Spring training. Wonder which adviser told him that was a good idea?

Todd tried again - "Do you think, a bill like that...religious beliefs should be used as a basis for somebody denying services to a gay couple?"

Scott: "I haven't seen that bill. But I can tell you I am trying to recruit companies every day to our state."

Todd does what a reporter does best. Ask the question. Ask again. Let the answers speak for themselves.

Given a chance to weigh in on allowing undocumented immigrants to receive in-state tuition prices, Scott instead talks about how tuition is too high for everyone. When pressed he said, "I will certainly look at it."

A clip is shown of former Gov. Charlie Crist accusing Scott of not fighting hard enough for Medicaid. Todd asks Scott to reply.

Scott: "First thing I did when we came into office is we revamped our Medicaid program to make sure that its a program that our state could afford and our citizens could get taken care of.  Now let's look at what's happened with ObamaCare....."

Screeeeeech. So let's stop for a moment and note that Scott quickly pivots away from the question by switching to his ObamaCare talking points.

Todd: "Let's stick first to Medicaid...."

Nope. Not gonna do it. Scott rambles about the Florida legislature and informs Todd and viewers that "we have three branches of government."

Yes. Yes we do.

Early in the interview, Todd notes polls showing that Florida voters give Democrat Crist far higher approval ratings for his time as governor than they do Scott. And Todd notes that a recent Quinnipiac Poll found that 54 percent of those surveyed do not think Scott deserves a second term.

Todd: "Why do you think Charlie Crist's days as governor are being remembered more fondly then your days as governor?"

Scott goes right to the talking points: 'Let's look at the facts. While he was governor the state lost 832,000 jobs....."

 Talking points are swell. But sometimes a candidate needs to toss the talking points. Scott clearly needed to do that during this interview. 

Watch it below: 

Comments

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Dean

A sixth generation, college educated Floridian here who says:

Rick Scott is a carpet bagging idiot who bought an election by courting an uninformed electorate of folks who don't have any roots here.

The only time he has brought a smile to my face was when he threw out a Spring Training first pitch and was roundly booed when he approached the mound.

And, I'll add an asterisk here...I am not a Republican, I am not a Democrat. I am proudly No Party Affiliation. Here in FL, Independent is a party and I did not want that designation. I will have no organization presuming they know what is best for me.

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