Submitted by Mark Esposito, Guest Blogger
Reeling from the backlash of sentiment questioning why liberals and Democrats were banned from a public town square meeting on Florida’s budget, Governor Scoot pulled an “Oops.” Apparently, it was all the work of a poor misguided staffer, Russ Abrams, a $60,000.00 a year special assistant to the Governor who has a serious First Amendment mental block. Despite newspaper notices that the meeting in the conservative retirement community was open to the public, Abrams told Sumter County Sheriff’s deputies that the event was private and that Democrats and liberals were not required. A reluctant deputy informed the banned folks that he was instructed to remove them.
“Not so” says Scott spokesperson, Lane Wright: “This was a public event. It was brought to our attention that the local authorities had removed some. We don’t know first-hand who was removed or why.” Ah, sweet mystery of life! Where is Inspector Clouseau?
See, just a case of an inadvertent denial of a constitutional protection fundamental to democracy — allegedly, of course. Who could conceive of doing it for purely partisan reasons? By the way, what need have the happy citizens of Florida for democracy, they’ve got budget cuts!
Rick Scott Can’t Explain Why He Took Obama Stimulus Money After Denouncing It
By Marie Diamond on Jun 1, 2011
Think Progress
http://thinkprogress.org/politics/2011/06/01/232736/rick-scott-stimulus-money/
Excerpt:
Rick Scott, the nation’s least popular governor, can’t seem to escape bad press this week. First, he was roundly criticized for vetoing $615 million in budget funds — a move that will hurt Florida’s most vulnerable population. Then he was lampooned for signing a bill that mandates drug testing of all welfare recipients — and forces the state’s poorest residents to pay for their own drug tests if they want to receive aid. Now, it turns out the budget Scott signed included $370 million of federal stimulus money the governor has spent years railing against. Scott had pledged to “fight all stimulus money,” and when confronted with his hypocrisy, he fumbled to find a plausible answer:
Florida Gov. Rick Scott campaigned against President Obama’s “failed stimulus” program — yet the freshman politician kept nearly $370 million of the federal cash in the Florida budget he signed last week.
Scott’s decision to keep the stimulus money stands out in a year when the governor touted record budget vetoes of up to $615 million. He emphasized the vetoes of “wasteful” spending at a Thursday event that featured a campaign-style “Promises Made, Promises Kept” banner.
But as he ran for office last summer, Scott said he “would fight all the stimulus money.” He also told reporters “I would have figured out how to balance the budget without it.” When asked Tuesday why he appeared to reverse himself by keeping stimulus money, Scott didn’t specifically answer.
Rick Scott, the nation’s least popular governor, can’t seem to escape bad press this week. First, he was roundly criticized for vetoing $615 million in budget funds — a move that will hurt Florida’s most vulnerable population. Then he was lampooned for signing a bill that mandates drug testing of all welfare recipients — and forces the state’s poorest residents to pay for their own drug tests if they want to receive aid. Now, it turns out the budget Scott signed included $370 million of federal stimulus money the governor has spent years railing against. Scott had pledged to “fight all stimulus money,” and when confronted with his hypocrisy, he fumbled to find a plausible answer:
Florida Gov. Rick Scott campaigned against President Obama’s “failed stimulus” program — yet the freshman politician kept nearly $370 million of the federal cash in the Florida budget he signed last week.
Scott’s decision to keep the stimulus money stands out in a year when the governor touted record budget vetoes of up to $615 million. He emphasized the vetoes of “wasteful” spending at a Thursday event that featured a campaign-style “Promises Made, Promises Kept” banner.
But as he ran for office last summer, Scott said he “would fight all the stimulus money.” He also told reporters “I would have figured out how to balance the budget without it.” When asked Tuesday why he appeared to reverse himself by keeping stimulus money, Scott didn’t specifically answer.
When asked why he didn’t veto the stimulus money, Scott reverted to his standard talking point — bashing the federal government. But when pressed by the Miami Herald reporter, Scott said he went through every line of the budget and considered each through the lens of job creation. “That’s the filter I used,” he said. “So if the stimulus money helps creates jobs, then it’s okay?” the reporter replied. Scott immediately reversed himself and denounced stimulus money again, saying, “I think it’s a mistake. It’s taxpayer money and we have to watch how we spend all that money.” “But you okayed it,” the reporter pointed out.
http://maddowblog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/06/01/6762537-this-is-what-unpopular-looks-like-florida-edition Scott signs bill requiring that welfare recipients be drug tested.
Who’s the Most Unpopular Governor in America?
He’s a GOPer. In a battleground state. And that’s good news for Obama’s reelection bid.
— By Andy Kroll
Mother Jones, 5/31/2011
http://motherjones.com/politics/2011/05/republican-governor-unpopular-obama-president
Excerpt:
From Wisconsin to Florida, voters are nursing a bad case of buyer’s remorse concerning the rookie Republican governors they elected in 2010.
Surfing into office on the GOP wave in the midterm elections, these first-term governors have rammed through right-wing agendas in their first months in office—attacking unions, slashing jobless benefits, pushing voter ID bills, and rejecting federal funds for popular infrastructure and transportation projects. In near-record time, voters are souring on these conservatives—and in some cases, clamoring for their recall. This blowback could pave the way for a Democratic resurgence in these states in 2012 and boost President Barack Obama’s reelection chances—for, coincidentally or not, several of these free-falling governors reside in crucial battleground states. If their fortunes continue to plummet, these governors could end up being a serious drag on the Republican presidential nomination.
Florida’s Rick Scott and Ohio’s John Kasich are currently the leading contenders for the title of the most unpopular governor in America, according to a recent Public Policy Polling (PPP) survey. (A mere 32 percent of respondents approve of Scott, while just 33 percent support Kasich. A separate Quinnipiac poll puts Scott’s approval even lower, at 29 percent.) Michigan’s Rick Snyder is struggling with a 33 percent approval rating, and in Wisconsin, 43 percent approve of Scott Walker, PPP found—down 3 points from February and 9 from Election Day 2010. Only 41 percent of respondents gave Iowa’s Terry Branstad a thumb’s up. Even New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, a darling of the GOP, has seen his approval plummet in recent weeks, according to a recent PublicMind released by Fairleigh Dickinson University.
anon nurse,
The overwhelming number of votes passing the Patriot Act (sic!) does not bode well for our declining civil liberties. I will take time to look up those congressional members that voted nay.
$60,000 a year to be a fall guy? I’d take it.
Rick Scott has vetoed funding for PBS in Florida. His false economic measures will have immeasurable cost to Florida for decades beyond his term as governor. Who wants to live in a place without public radio or television? Not me.
During the gubernatorial campaign Scott refused to meet with the Editorial Boards of the State’s newspapers. Downright refused. No one has ever done that before.
Creep.