Rick Scott Meets An Angry Constituient

A woman in a downtown Gainesville Starbucks unloads on Gov. Rick Scott for refusing to expand Medicaid. Scott makes a hasty retreat for the exit. Scott claims to the woman that he created a million jobs. Scott has yet to provide empirical evidence that his policies have created job.

Write A Caption: Rick Scott & Chris Christie Edition

"Chris, I watched this Marlon Brando movie and I got some ideas on how we can use butter."

Write A Caption: Rick Scott & Pitbull

Now why didn't I get an invitation for this? Kathleen McGrory reports that Gov. Rick Scott helped rapper Pitfall celebrate his birthday. Perhaps Scott talked to Pitbull about how the hip hop artist got porn Kennedy Leigh to be in his music video for Don't Stop the Party.

The elected officials will join Pitbull around 11 a.m. at the Sports Leadership and Management Academy, a charter school in Miami. Pitbull helped open the academy, and is expected to announce plans for expansion, according to a press release.

Obviously, Scott wants a photo-op to make himself appear cool. Good luck with that. In Pitbull's defense, he has said interesting things about felons losing voting rights and the treatment of blacks in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

The Middle Class Getting Poorer in Florida

Interest.com released an affordability study to examine housing markets. Tampa's medium income is $45,880. Tampa rated a D+ in paycheck power in 2012, 2013 and 2014. Tampa is the lowest rated city in the study. Miami is the second lowest rating city for medium income.

The Tampa Bay Times has an infographic of the jobs Gov. Rick Scott promised to deliver from giving companies tax incentives. Colt's Manufacturing currently has no people in their manufacturing building. Global Voter Solutions has declared bankruptcy. GVS was involved in a scandal using illegal voting software. Several states rejected the faulty Diebold machines GVS used.

Evolution was given a $100,000 tax credit from the state of Florida. Evolution has produced zero jobs in Florida. The list goes on.

Income inequality is increasing in Florida. All the gains from 2009 to 2011 went to the top 1 percent in Florida.

The report found Florida is one of 26 states in which all income growth from 2009 to 2011 went to the top 1 percent. While the average income of the top 1 percent in Florida rose 9.2 percent in that period, the remaining 99 percent saw its average income fall 2.4 percent. Robert Trigaux reports:

Just to break into the 1 percent bracket in Florida requires an annual income of $336,935. To enter the more elite 0.1 percent in Florida requires an income of $8,659,187.

Bottom line? In the Florida economy, the report says, the top 1 percent average of $1.14 million income is 32.2 times greater than that of the other 99 percent. Only Fortune 500-rich New York and Connecticut, home to many Wall Streeters and other highly paid workers, reported a larger disparity in income ratio.

This thread isn't going to change with the McJobs in Florida anytime soon.

Massive RGA Cash For Rick Scott

This is a staggering number from User Actions Nick Confessore. It shows how vulnerable Rick Scott was.

The RGA spent about 1/5 of all the dollars they raised this year defending Rick Scott.

— Nick Confessore (@nickconfessore) November 5, 2014

The money has paid off. Many media outlets for calling the governor's race for Scott.

Rick Scott Campaigns With No Enthusiasm

Why is Adam Smith surprised that Rick Scott cannot connect with voters. What Governor has he been covering the last 4 year. Scott made a campaign stop in West Tampa today. Scott showed all the charisma of one of the zombies from the gore porn TV show The Walking Dead.

Maybe the enthusiastic young lady who got in his face inquiring whether he would return more than $1-million in campaign contributions from Duke Energy put Scott in a sour mood. Maybe he's just tired. But there was nothing in the body language of him or his campaign in Tampa today that projected confidence or cheer. Few TV cameras were on hand early enough to get him on the midday news, and even a few TV reporters who were there missed him because he left so quickly.

Odd

There is nothing odd about this. Scott's aides on several occasions have rushed their boss out of press conferences. Scott recently had a public freak out when voters questioned him about the minimum wage. Who knows why Scott behaves this way but he is not the greatest campaigner in the world.

I Kid You Not, Rick Scott Butt Plugs

#rickscott and #chrischristie are both campaigning in Florida. @govchristie @flgovscott #destroyingamericaonestateattheetime #florida #pambondi #bridgegate #fangate #fanghazi

A photo posted by Politicalsculptor.com (@mstyle183) on Oct 10, 2014 at 12:36pm PDT

Instagram user Mstyle183 is selling Rick Scott and Chris Christie butt plugs. I wonder who is in the market to have Rick Scott up their ass?

Two Guys Who Will Never Be President

Today's conservative eye candy for the ladies. Rick Scott and Chris Christie both get hot and bothered every time voters ask them about the minimum wage. Never mind that wages haven't kept up with economic growth in America. #eyecandy #RickScott #ChrisChristie #BringingUnsexyBack #minimumwage #poverty #funny #humor #comedy #Florida #NewJersey #economy #wages #incomeinequality #wingnuts #liberal #progressive #politics #elections #corruption #jerks

A photo posted by Michael Hussey (@pushingrope1) on Oct 10, 2014 at 11:55am PDT

Rick Scott campaigned today with fellow minimum wage increase hater Chris Christie today. Scott's idea of a secret weapon is a Governor under a massive corruption investigation.

Must See Video: Rick Scott Loses His Cool

It is almost refreshing to see Gov. Rick Scott behave like an actual human being. Scott has been a robotic talking points machine for 4 years and has refused to answer questions. Scott's evasiveNess and secrecy borders on Nixonian level paranoia.

Scott has been pressed by voters on why he doesn't support raising the minimum wage. Scott lost it and shouted over his own constituents. It is obvious the pressure of the campaign is taking a toll on him.

The worst part is Scott still stuck to attack talking points on Charlie Crist. What Scott may not be aware of is these voters aren't asking about Crist. They are asking for Scott to give an explanation on why he doesn't support raising the minimum wage. You would think that the campaign would have come up with a lame talking point for Scott to use. Maybe they did and Scott didn't remember the talking point because he went into panic mode.

Write A Caption: Rick Scott and Vanilla Ice Edition

Jaime Fuller reported that Vanilla Ice and Rick Scott hit it off. Scott was even grooving to the Ice Man's music. I'm speechless.

Blast From the Past: Satanists Rally For Rick Scott

This is a 26 minute comedy classic Satanists hold a rally in Tallahassee to praise Gov. Rick Scott for signing a bill allowing freedom of religion on school grounds. An unintended side effect is Satanists being allowed to pray to the Dark One on school grounds. Satanists praising Scott strangely seems logical.

Money quote.

"We feel confident that Rick Scott has helped initiate the inevitable: opening the gates of hell to unleash a new Luciferian age that will last one thousand years and beyond. Hail Rick Scott. Hail Satan."

This is a must see video. A hysterical part of the video is when a protester tells a Satanist to go to Hell. The Satanist took it as a compliment.

Rick Scott's Dirty Deeds

Too bad I missed this.

Gov. Rick Scott held a fundraiser today in downtown Tampa. The progressive group Florida for All handed out "Shady Rick Scott Hand Sanitizers."

Florida For All has a list of Scott's "Ten Dirtiest Deeds." Scott's records on ethics is atrocious. Scott's was the CEO of Columbia/HCA. The company paid the largest Medicare/Medicaid fraud fine in U.S. history.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - HCA Inc. (formerly known as Columbia/HCA and HCA - The Healthcare Company) has agreed to pay the United States $631 million in civil penalties and damages arising from false claims the government alleged it submitted to Medicare and other federal health programs, the Justice Department announced today.

This settlement marks the conclusion of the most comprehensive health care fraud investigation ever undertaken by the Justice Department, working with the Departments of Health and Human Services and Defense, the Office of Personnel Management and the states. The settlement announced today resolves HCA's civil liability for false claims resulting from a variety of allegedly unlawful practices, including cost report fraud and the payment of kickbacks to physicians.

Previously, on December 14, 2000, HCA subsidiaries pled guilty to substantial criminal conduct and paid more than $840 million in criminal fines, civil restitution and penalties. Combined with today's separate administrative settlement with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), under which HCA will pay an additional $250 million to resolve overpayment claims arising from certain of its cost reporting practices, the government will have recovered $1.7 billion from HCA, by far the largest recovery ever reached by the government in a health care fraud investigation.

"Health care providers and professionals hold a public trust, and when that trust is violated by fraud and abuse of program funds, and by the payment of kickbacks to the physicians on whom patients and the programs rely for uncompromised medical judgment, health care for all Americans suffers," Robert D. McCallum, Jr., Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Division said. "This settlement brings to a close the largest multi-agency investigation of a health care provider that the United States government has ever undertaken and demonstrates the Department of Justice's ongoing resolve and commitment to pursue all types of fraud on American taxpayers, and health care program beneficiaries."

"Let this case be a continuing reminder to all that in the fight against health care fraud this office will not be deterred," said Acting Principal Deputy Inspector General Dara Corrigan. “Medicare dollars paid to provide ever more expensive health care services to the country's taxpayers should never be fraudulently diverted. This is our job and our trust and we take these duties very seriously," Corrigan concluded.

Scott has no business running a lemonade stand. Let alone a state the size of Florida.

Breaking News: Rick Scott is Rich

Most people leave government to make more money. Gov. Rick Scott got richer in office. Scott is currently worth $132.7 million.

The documents released by Scott, whose net worth grew from $83.8 million a year earlier, came as the governor filed paperwork to qualify for re-election.

Scott's personal wealth grew by $48.9 million. In fairness, Scott's wealth shrank from 2010. A big part of that was spending $73 million of his own money on his campaign. It is mibd-boggling that someone would spend that amount if money on a public office job.

Jennifer Carroll Vs Rick Scott

Steve Bousquet must have drawn the short straw and had to read the Jennifer Carroll book for the Tampa Bay Times/Miami Herald political news team. Carroll served as Rick Scott's Lt. Governor. Carroll's book "When You Get There" paints a picture of Rick Scott being emotionally disconnected.

"During my entire time in office, I never received a birthday card or an anniversary card or anything that showed a personal touch," she wrote. "No matter what I did to try to establish a relationship with the governor, nothing worked."

Clarence McKee told Bousquet that Carroll's account in the book of her minority voter outreach is correct. Susie Wiles, Scott's 2010 campaign manager supported Carroll's claim on how Carroll was placed on the ticket. Scott only conducted one interview with Carroll.

Wiles said that account was accurate. A long-time friend of Carroll’s, Wiles said she didn’t think the book would damage Scott’s re-election prospects. “I have a negative view -- as I think most people do -- of people who do these kiss-and-tell books after they have been trusted as part of the inner circle,” Wiles said.

According to Carroll, Scott showed no concern when Carroll fell and hit her head in a church. If true, this doesn't surprise me.

Quote of the Day

“I’m not a scientist either, but I can use my brain, and I can talk to one.” Charlie Crist, on Gov. Rick Scott unwillingness to learn more about man made climate change.

Crist recently met with Florida State University environmental science professor Jeffrey Chanton. The two discussed the threat of man made climate change. Scott has refused to meet with Professor Chanton.

“It’s to try to push the dialogue,” Crist said. “I’m convinced. I’m a believer and I notice that my opponent, Rick Scott, would not meet with this wonderful scientist. It’s important for people who have the opportunity to help direct policy to be open-minded and to listen.”

Scott has refused to say if he believes in man made climate science. That hasn't stopped him from having extremely environmentally unfriendly policies. Scott has supported and later backtracked drilling in the Everglades. Scott owns a $135,000 stake in Schlumberger Ltd. The oil company is involved in drilling near the Everglades.

Scott's environmental policies are based less on science and more on profit.

Rick Scott Hates Answering Questions About Gay Marriage

The Miami Herald political reporting staff has been hounding Gov. Rick Scott on his position on gay marriage. Circuit Judge Luis Garcia has declared that the Florida ban on gay marriage violates the equal protection clause in the United States Constitution.

Political reporters across the state have been trying to get a straight answer from Scott on various subjects. Scott is a talking points machine that panics when he goes off script. Scott's refusal to answer questions have made national news. Scott's canned response was hysterically feautured on The Rachel Maddow Show.

Scott gave a sort of answer to The Miami Herald on gay marriage. Basically, Scott doesn't support gay marriage being legal in Florida.

Q: “Gay rights groups say that the marriage ban discriminates against them but proponents of the ban say that judges are now discriminating against their votes. You have said you are against discrimination. Which kind of discrimination are you against?”

A: “First off, as we know in 2008 the voters of the state decided that marriage would be between man and a woman, traditional marriage. It's gone to the courts. The courts will end up deciding. The Attorney General is doing her job. She is appealing it which is her job to defend the Constitution. In my case I believe in traditional marriage. Also I don’t want anybody discriminated against. We will see what the courts do.”

Q: “How did you vote in 08 on that?”

(Scott’s response was so quiet I couldn’t hear him.)

Q: “What?”

A: “I would have voted for the traditional marriage.”

Scott whispered when attempting to give a canned response answer. Scott is a disaster with the media. The more serious matter is Floridians have a right to know where Scott stands on policy matters. What Scott fears is if people actually knew he was a crony capitalist they wouldn't vote for him.

Rick Scott: The Man With No Answers Ad

THe American Bridge 21st Century has released an online ad attacking Gov Rick Scott for failing to answer why on-duty law enforcement officers were used as props for Scott's campaign event. Scott would rather get a root canal than honestly answer a question to the media.

Rick Scott Stays On Talking Points

Gov. Rick Scott was asked four times by members of the Florida media about why on-duty Florida law enforcement officers were standing behind Scott during a campaign event. It is against the law for police officers to engage in political activity while on-duty. Here is the transcript of the questions the media asked Scott.

1. "Did you really think that all of those deputies were off duty?"

2. "Did you think it was a problem to have on-duty law enforcement there?"

3. "You didn’t answer that question. Should there be discipline?"

4. "Do you think it’s okay for them to be there on-duty?"

Scott gives the media a smile that he thinks is charming but actually makes him look more scary. Scott looks like the scariest Jack In the Box head ever created. Floridians, this is your Governor trying to look sexy.

"Bond. James Bond."

Scott stays on his talking points about how much he loves law enforcement. Scott never once answers the question about why on-duty law enforcement were used as campaign props. Disappointing but not surprising.

Shocking News: Rick Scott Not Truthful

Gov. Rick Scott told the media that no taxpayer money has been committed to All Aboard Florida.

Q: Governor, considering the recent story about All Aboard Florida, can you tell us how big a role Adam Hollingsworth played in paving the way for All Aboard Florida?

Scott: So, All Aboard Florida is 100% private venture. It’s a private company. What was important to me is that we extended the time frame for anybody that wanted to ask questions, the public comment period, that’s what I expect.

Q: But they are apparently going to seek $44 million in state grants.

Scott: The All Aboard project is 100% privately funded.

There is just one problem with Scott's statement. Scott has committed $200 million to a train depot for Orlando International Airport. The train stop will be used by All Aboard Florida. Scott's current Chief of Staff Adam Hollingsworth formerly worked for Flagler Development Group and Parallel Infrastructure. Gary Fineout reports Hollingsworth sent several text messages to the Scott administration regarding All Aboard Florida.

Hollingsworth, who worked on Scott’s transition team in late 2010, exchanged several text messages with Scott’s deputy chief of staff shortly before the All Aboard Florida project was publicly announced. Hours before the release came out he texted Carrie O’Rourke and told her she would get a copy of it in advance. “If you see any hiccups, let me know,” Hollingsworth texted. “Thanks for all your help.”

Scott came out against federal money for a high-speed rail line from Tampa to Orlando. Florida Republican elected officials such as John Mica and Jack Latvala came out against Scott's decision. Scott had no problem approving SunRail funding that would financially benefit former State Sen. J.D. Alexander. I wrote about why Alexander wanted to SunRail project approved.

The blog Stop CSX in Polk County broke the story that Alexander's was purchasing Phoenix Industries. Alexander owns Altantic Blue. The company bought Phoenix Industries, a frozen food vender that does business with CSX. The transporation bill would have placed CSX's new hub near Alexander's warehouse. One needs a scorecard to track Alexander's conflicts of interest.

Scott isn't a fiscal conservative. He is a crony capitalist.

News Station Turns Down Rick Scott Interview

A sure sign a candidate is in trouble is when he or she is scared of the media. Scott Maxwell reports that Rick Scott is placing demands on how the media conducts interviews. These are the kind of demands that Hollywood stars place on the entertainment media. Short answer: Scott will only do fluff piece interviews.

Thanks, but no thanks. Gov. Rick Scott is well known for dodging tough questions. So he has apparently adopted a new media strategy: demand that journalists not ask them. News 13 anchor Ybeth Bruzual recently told viewers that her station had refused to do an interview with Scott after the governor's campaign demanded to choose the interviewer — and the interview topic. Specifically, Bruzual said the governor was only willing to talk about his "Hispanic outreach" efforts. Everything else — from Scott's record-setting budget to scandal among his appointees at the expressway authority — was off-limits. Hmm. I can see why News 13 declined. The kind of airtime Scott wanted isn't called an interview. It's called an ad.

The Florida Democratic establishment can drag Scott polls numbers down if they mount a good attack. Scott isn't suddenly become Bill Clinton and turn his poll numbers around.