Earlier this week we wrote about the astonishing poll numbers that former health care executive Rick Scott amassed in a recent Mason/Dixon poll when matched against Bill McCollum in a race for the Republican nomination for Governor. Scott dropped a quick $4.7 million into buying up loads of television time to get the word out that he's in the race, and at least for one month, has interjected himself into the August 24 primary.
Now Scott, seizing the mantle as the candidate that represents the interests of the Tea Party brigade in the GOP, is coming after McCollum on the white-hot issue of immigration, which has become a favorite target in 2010 only after the Arizona immigration law recently signed exploded into the national consciousness.
Scott issued a press release on Tuesday on a new commentary available on his campaign website:
"A legal immigration system where everyone plays by the rules is fundamental to our economic and national security,” said Rick Scott. “The Arizona law is a common sense enforcement of already existing law. If you break the law then law enforcement should be able to ask for identification that shows you are in the United States legally. The only people who have reason to fear the law are people who are here illegally. States like Arizona are in a crisis situation because the career politicians and the federal government have FAILED to secure our border.”Rick Scott’s position on this important issue creates a clear contrast with Bill McCollum, his leading opponent in the Republican primary. McCollum, the chief law enforcement officer for the state of Florida, has called the law “far out. "
McCollum did say that, after saying that," think Arizona has its own unique problems. I don't think Florida should enact laws like this— quite that far out." The patron saint of the Florida Republican Party, Jeb Bush, also wasn't that enthusiastic about the law.
But a Mason-Dixon poll released Monday showed that a majority in the state supports the Arizona law (though there has been some dispute about that) here in Florida.
This article appears in May 5-11, 2010.