Manufactured Outrage From Brian Burgess

When Brian Burgess isn't busy covering-up Florida's TB outbreak, he is bashing Charlie Crist becoming a registered Democrat in a Republican Party of Florida press release.

“Charlie Crist’s first official act as a Democrat was to tell a lie about why he is now pretending to be one. The truth is that this self-professed, Ronald-Reagan Republican only abandoned his pro-life, pro-gun, conservative principles in 2010 after he realized that Republicans didn’t want to send him to Washington D.C. as a senator, especially after he proved he couldn’t do the job as governor. …

“It’s obvious that Florida Democrats are desperate when Charlie Crist is the one who gets invited to the White House just two years after he disowned Barack Obama in 2010, publicly ripped him at every turn, accusing President Obama of having ‘the same tired answer for every problem, trashing ObamaCare and promising to repeal it, endorsing John McCain, and blasted President Obama for wasting money on the stimulus. …

This sounds like "manufactured outrage" coming from Burgess. You may remember Burgess calling complaints of people having trouble voting as "manufactured outrage." People standing in line past midnight is fake outrage to Burgess. Charlie Crist becoming a Democrat is the coming of the end of days.

I doubt Burgess was surprised that Crist became a Republican. Anyone that followed politics saw that coming. That is what makes the righteous indignation so amusing.

The TB Outbreak Cover-Up

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warned Gov. Rick Scott to not the AG Holley State Hospital in Lantana. AG Holley was Florida's only state-run tuberculosis clinic. Scott was obsessed with privatizing Florida's health care system. An ideas about privatization saves money goes out the window when the numbers of TB outbreak are revealed.

At that point, a disease that can cost $500 to overcome grows exponentially more costly. The average cost to treat a drug-resistant strain is more than $275,000, requiring up to two years on medications. For this reason, the state pays for public health nurses to go to the home of a person with TB every day to observe them taking their medications.

It is estimated that 3,000 people during a two year time span in the Jacksonville area contracted TB. Duval County failed to to heed the advice of the CDC.

At the end of the first Epi-Aid in 2009, the CDC’s high-priority list was 440 names long. Finding them was important, because a high percentage were testing positive, some with the contagious, active form of the disease. Without treatment, they could make many more people sick.

Apparently, that’s exactly what happened.

On its return trip this year, the CDC found its high-priority contact list as of April had grown sixfold to 2,488 people, a daunting number for a cash-strapped public health agency to track down and monitor. And so within the high-priority list, it created a “hot list” of must-test contacts.

CDC epidemiologist Dr. Kiren Mitruka had investigated both outbreaks. By June 20, her frustration was clear.

Since (the Duval County Health Department) currently has no epidemiologist or data manager focusing on TB issues, something we recommended and funded after the 2009 Epi-Aid as well, it will be very important to ensure any funding we provide for that purpose is clearly designated,” she told Florida officials

“As we saw during our return tech assist earlier this month, work to date has only been able to identify 25 contacts from the outbreak investigation ‘hot list’ …”

Duval County did not have a person qualified to screen for TB. The reason was the health care budget cuts by Gov. Scott and the Florida legislature. The Scott administration's response was to cover-up any news about a TB outbreak. Former Scott spokeman Brian Burgess made the rare mistake of using his public email account. The Scott administration have used private email accounts to skirt Florida's Sunshine law.

It was Burgess who in July accidentally used his state email account — rather than the personal account he preferred to use — to direct Department of Health communications staff that it was “time for some serious debunking” of The Post’s July 8 report on Jacksonville’s TB outbreak.

What he most objected to was the argument that the state intentionally had kept the outbreak under wraps until after the closure of A.G. Holley.

He also repeatedly has objected to the use of the word “outbreak,” a word he associated with disaster movies, not illnesses that affect several hundred people. Burgess said the word “cluster” should be used to describe Jacksonville’s problem. However, the CDC’s emails and reports all use “outbreak.”

This is what happens when conservative ideology takes precedent good governing.

Team Scott's E-mails Deleted Excuse

Gov. Rick Scott hasn't been known for his love of transparency. Scott's Director Of Press Relations, Brian Burgess did a major fuck you to the media by posted a picture on Twitter of documents that the Scott Administration refused to release to the media. Scott has increased the cost and red tape involved in gaining access to documents. The Scott administration do not use government email accounts to communicate government business with each other. They use private Yahoo, Gmail and Hotmail accounts. This is the same strategy the Bush administration used during the Bush administration scandal involving the firing of U.S. Attorneys. Like the Bush administration, Team Scott has accidently deleted their emails.

The e-mail accounts of Rick Scott and most of the governor-elect's transition team were deleted soon after he took office, potentially erasing public records that state law requires be kept.

Scott's team acknowledged for the first time this week that the private company providing e-mail service deleted the records as early as mid January, about the time the Times/Herald first sought transition e-mails.

Team Scott is using the incompetent excuse. Hey, don't blame them because they have computer skill below that of a 12 year-old. However, believe every word about them creating jobs during one of the worst economic times in memory. Team Scott is competent. Except when they are incompetent. Got that?

The ACLU is outraged about the loss of the emails.

The reports that Governor Scott’s transition team deleted email accounts which contained public records are just the latest chapter in the Scott administration’s ongoing saga of disregard for the constitutional requirement of open government.

Time and again, the Scott administration has violated the public trust with its disdain for transparency. Now, with public records that the law requires be kept potentially being deleted, the public trust isn’t all that may have been violated.

We are disappointed, but not surprised, that once again this administration has let down Floridians who expect transparency, openness, and honesty from their government.

We have a governor who has a history of not giving straight answers during depositions.

Benjamin Kirby on Brian Burgess

I am glad Gov. Rick Scott has a Director Of Press Relations as incompetent as Brian Burgess. I find it hysterical anyone would hire Burgess. Benjamin Kirby notes Burgess' huge ego. Burgess hates the media. Except when the media wants to profile him. Kirby notes that Burgess is putting himself ahead of Scott.

Here's one to learn from then, Brian: quit giving interviews about how awesome you are when your boss is tanking.

To be kind of fair to Brian, he was labeled as an "outsider" coming in to help the governor -- a tag which is supposed to mean he's loyal to Scott, but you know, not loyal loyal. If the fit really starts hitting the shan with Scott, he'll head right back over to CRC Public Relations, no sweat.

The sub-headline asks whether the combative style of Burgess is serving Scott's interests well. Really? You're the communications guy. If you view the people who write about you as sub-human -- Scott won't even ride in an elevator with them -- don't you suppose they'll have some nasty things to say about you... and your message?

There are going to be elected Republican officials with no understanding of media communications that will hire Burgess. Politicians like Scott look for a little Sean Hannity in their communications people. The problem is a governor needs to win the approval of the public. Not get better talk radio ratings.

If Scott had a clue he would wonder why his media communications guy is doing (a largely negative) profile with the Florida's biggest newspaper. George Stephanopoulos insisted on making himself the story. President Bill Clinton was smart enough to shrink Stephanopoulos' role down to the point that he left. Kirby suggests Burgess will leave when Scott totally tanks. Burgess will have increased his profile. Scott will wonder what his messaging problem is.

Brian Burgess: Worst Media Communication Person Ever II

I wrote the post "Brian Burgess: Worst Media Communication Person Ever." I did not exaggerate Burgess' horrible skills with the media. There is also Burgess' occasional profanity-laced tirade. Burgess sent this message in an e-mail to a Kansas reporter.

“I really don’t miss some of you dipshits at all. Have fun in your world of make-believe.”

Burgess' talents for pissing off the media certainly isn't helping Gov. Rick Scott's messaging or approval ratings. Steve Bousquet and Adam C. Smith of the St. Petersburg Times write an article similar to my post. Bousquet and Smith write about Burgess' war with Miami Herald reporter Marc Caputo. Burgess accused Caputo of bogus journalism without citing specifics. The two had this exchange on Twitter.

"You're unprofessional and engage in 'gotcha' journalism w/o fact-checking," Burgess tweeted to Herald reporter Marc Caputo.

"You ducked the question for a 2nd time: Name 1 fact that was wrong," Caputo replied.

Burgess told me on Twitter that no one in the Scott administration used private e-mail accounts to avoid the Florida Sunshine law. That is a lie. Burgess himself uses a private e-mail account to conduct government business.

Burgess said this to Kansas journalist Justin Kendall.

"He called me a 'bottom-feeding journalist.' That sort of endeared him to me," Kendall said.

One thing that Smith and Bousquet report and I didn't know is that Burgess worked for Swift Boat Veterans for Truth. If that doesn't give you an idea of what kind political operative Burgess is then nothing will.

Mary Anne Carter Out

Mary Anne Carter is best known to the public as a Rick Scott staffer who uses private e-mail accounts to avoid Florida's Sunshine Law. Carter refuses to do government business on her government e-mail account. This policy is also used by the Gov. Scott and Brian Burgess, the Director Of Press Relations. Carter is leaving the Scott administration.

Carter and Prendergast essentially split the responsibility of running the governor’s office, both sharing the same rank in the office’s organizational structure and the same salary. But Carter, who served as the governor’s transition director and as executive director of Scott’s Conservatives for Patients’ Rights, was largely thought to be the most influential staffer inside the Scott camp.

For weeks, capital insiders have speculated that Steve MacNamara, currently Senate President Mike Haridopolos’ chief of staff, would replace Prendergast as chief of staff. Scott, at a recent press conference, acknowledged that he had met MacNamara, but did not elaborate on any discussions he had had with him.

Scott is suffering from low approval ratings. Scott is cleaning house under the impression that it will change his political fortunes. What Scott doesn't realize is Floridians are just not that into him.

Brian Burgess: Worst Media Communication Person Ever

This is no exaggeration. I have corresponded with Burgess on Twitter. I can't believe a man this immature would be hired to handle traditional and new media communications for Gov. Rick Scott. Miami Herald reporter Marc Caputo inquired about a coffee get together Scott was having with members of the legislator. Burgess sent him back this e-mail.

"Coffee with 10 legislators - purely social," he said by email. "But thanks for ruining a perfectly good Saturday with my family so you could be first to report the non-story."

Burgess told me on Twitter that I was wrong about Scott staffers using using private e-mail accounts to avoid Florida's Sunshine law. Yet that is what Burgess did in forwarding Caputo's inquiry. Burgess also fires off more passive aggressive snark at Caputo.

Burgess wouldn't or couldn't say. He then forwarded the correspondence from his public email account to his private email account and asked this of Scott higher-ups, Hayden Dempsey and Spencer Geissinger: "Do we have the names of the people who will be enjoying a smile and warm cup of coffee with the Governor on Tuesday morning? Mr. Marc Caputo, copied on this email, believes Floridians will be clamoring for this information and hopes to attract dozens of hits to his blog. I would like to accommodate him in the spirit of openness, transparency and friendship."

This is the guy that is suppose to win the media over and get Scott good coverage. Keep attacking the media, Brian. That is bound to help your boss' low approval ratings.

Update: below Burgess worked for Scott he worked for District Attorney Phil Kline. It was Kline's personal quest to prosecute Dr. George Tiller. Burgess said this about the Kansas media in an e-mail.

“I really don’t miss some of you dipshits at all. Have fun in your world of make-believe.”

I say again. This is the man hired to garner Rick Scott positive media coverage.

Update: Burgess is paid $$110,000.04-a-year for his tactful skills with the media. Burgess' title is (I'm laughing as I type this) Director Of Press Relations.

Rick Scott Against Minimun Wage Increase

Gov. Rick Scott is disappointed that Florida's minimum wage will be increased by 6 cent TO $7.31 an hour. Scott's media flakey Brian Burgess has no problem defending an indefensible position. Burgess claims that a 6 cent increase would make Florida less competitive. The reality is stagnant wages drives skilled labor to other states.

Gov. Rick Scott was disappointed in the decision, but will not appeal it, said spokesman Brian Burgess.

"Florida's rate can never go down and it's pegged to inflation, so over time it will make Florida's rate substantially higher than the federal rate," Burgess said. "In the long run it will make Florida very uncompetitive."

Scott did not want a 6 cent increase in the minimum wage. However, Scott has no problem eliminating Florida's corporate tax rate. How in good conscious can Scott try to deny the poor a wage increase as inflation goes up and then say corporations are suffering with a straight face. Scott is waging class warfare on the poo

Rick Scott's Staff Avoid Sunshine Law

It is public knowledge that Gov. Rick Scott does not use email. Sen. Bill Nelson discovered that Scott's political adviser Mary Anne Carter doesn't use her state government email.

"I rarely check and almost never respond to work e-mail because of the open record law," Carter wrote from her private e-mail account.

Nelson was shocked to receive this email.

Government officials using private email accounts was a trick used by Karl Rove during the U.S. Attorney scandal. The Bush administration used a non-government server to fire U.S. Attorneys not going after Democrats or prosecuting immigration caees that didn't exist. All the U.S. Attorneys were given good performance reviews before they were fired. The firings happened because Rove felt these U.S. Attoneys weren't furthering the Bush administration's political agenda.

The blog Talking Points Memo started investigating the U.S. Attorney scandal. Congress started holding hearings. 22 million emails on the server were deleted.

Scott has given an embarrassing deposition and had his health care companies investigated for criminal wrongdoing. Scott's former company Columbia/HCA was fined 1.7 billion for stealing money from Medicare. Scott was never charged but was forced to step down. Needless to say, there is a reason Scott doesn't want public records.

Money quote from Brian Burgess.

"Are there things we don't want to you to know? Yes," Burgess said. "There are things we don't want to broadcast to our opponents."

Sadly, Team Scott considers their opponents the people of Florida.

Rick Scott Always On Message

One of the problems with Gov. Rick Scott being obsessed with controlling the message is it hasn't worked for other elected leaders. Charm and charisma go a long way. Neither of which Scott has in supply. Scott's freakish control nature will rub members of his administration the wrong way. Case in point is this email leak to Adam Smith of the St. Petersburg Times.

From: Burgess, Brian
Sent: Monday, January 10, 2011 11:08 AM
To: _Agency Communication Directors
Subject: Public Appearances / Speeches / Etc.

Just want to reiterate that neither agency heads nor their respective communications offices, or any agency personnel should be making public appearances or speeches without prior notification and approval of EOG.

If there are any upcoming on the schedules, please let me know so we can ensure we’re on the same page.

Thanks,

Brian Burgess
Office of the Governor
Communications Director

Scott seems to be running his version of the Bush administration from the Florida Governor's Mansion. The media took out there frustrations on White House Press Sec. Scott McClellan when Bush's approval ratings when in the tank. Team Scott will probably be pissed at Smith for publishing a leak. What can the Scott administration threaten Smith with? Taking away access is an empty threat. The media has almost zero access to Scott. Scott kicked journalist Mary Ellen Klas out of a public meeting.

Scott is an incoming governor with a below 50 percent approval rating. His personality fails to understand good public relations. Scott got elected into office scaring people and Alex Sink running a campaign devoid of substance. Scott is going to piss the media off and earn himself bad press.