Florida GOP gubernatorial candidate Rick Scott spoke at the Suncoast Tiger Bay Club in St. Pete Wednesday afternoon, and in his nearly 20 minute formal address, spoke almost exclusively about his business background and how he would apply that to state government, with nary a cross word uttered about Bill McCollum.
But that didn't mean that the unrelentingly negative campaign that he and the Attorney General have engaged in since Scott entered the race in April didn't go unnoticed, as the first questions that came from the large audience at the St. Pete Yacht Club dealt exclusively with that aspect of their bellicose campaign.
Essentially Scott chose not to bite however, especially after he was excoriated by Pinellas Classroom Teachers Association head Kim Black, who asked him "as a leader and model for our children, what would you say to them about bullying and name-calling?" referring to the nasty ads and rhetoric that has dominated their battle.
Scott replied by ignoring the spirit of the question, saying that in his ad campaign he's tried to focus on "my background, we focus on my beliefs," before pivoting to his view on education. That amounted to him saying he believes in more competition (i.e. "school choice"), more measurements (more testing, both of students and teachers presumably) and keeping things as much as possible at the local level.
The former health care chain executive was also asked the inevitable question about his involvement with Columbia/HCA, the former health care chain that was find a record $1.7 billion after Scott was asked to leave the company in 1997. Looking unflappable (since he's had plenty of practice answering the question) Scott answered as per usual that he could have hired more auditors. "In business when something goes wrong as a CEO you're held responsible….In contrast, look at the position were in already," he replied. "Unemployment's rampant, homeowner's underwater…state budget after all the stimulus money is 5 plus billion (in deficit)…and name one politician, any one, who said 'gosh, I should have done that…' we've sat here and we don't hold our politicians accountable. I've been responsible in my businesses, and I'll be responsible as Governor."
This article appears in Aug 12-18, 2010.