There were only about 16 demonstrators present, but they certainly were having fun protesting a Rick Scott fundraiser in front of Tampa’s Oxford Exchange restaurant early Tuesday evening. Activists offered “Shady Rick Scott Hand Sanitzers” that promised to keep ones hands “free of dirty politics.”
When Attorney General Pam Bondi made her way down along Grand Central Avenue, they burst into chanting, “Equality for all!,” referring to the AG’s firm stance in defending the state’s ban on same-sex marriage in court.
Sam Coleman is the Deputy Director of Communications for Florida for All, a nonpartisan organization that describes its philosophy as “working for Floridians throughout the state.” The group isn’t backing Charlie Crist, but is definitely opposed to the governor.
“We see one scandal after another, and we’re not sure it’s resonating with the public, so we’re trying to find new creative ways to let people know our overarching message, which is that Florida is not for sale.”
Coleman went on to various Scott “scandals,” talking about his visit to King Ranch in Texas; the governor’s $72 million blind trust; and his stake in a company with a natural gas pipeline which could be in operations by 2017. “It’s always one thing after another that shows that the governor’s priority is to helping his own portfolio as opposed to efficient policies for the state,” he said.
“We’re here today because Rick Scott is wrong on every issue that matters to me,” said St. Petersburg resident Suzanne Snurpus.”He doesn’t share my values. I think he’s not good for Florida, and I think that we have to join together and spread the word – the truth, pushback about what’s really going on and do our part to make sure that whenever we head to the polls in November we’re making an educated decision.”
Later Florida for All spokesperson Ana Tinsly emailed CL. “When Scott says his administration is ‘working’ for Floridians, it all depends on who you are talking about, ” she wrote. “.If you are wealthy, well connected, and especially a donor, then Scott’s policies are certainly working for you. If you’re working to make ends meet, have your kids in public school, don’t have access to affordable health care, or if you’re a woman earning less than your male counterparts, then Scott has been nothing short of disastrous.”
But while liberal activist groups think Scott is bad for Florida, can Charlie Crist make the sale and convince Floridians to vote for him? A Survey USA poll released on Tuesday shows Scott with a five percentage point lead over Crist, 44-39 percent. Libertarian Adrian Wyllie was at 7 percent.
This article appears in Sep 11-17, 2014.
