NY Times Issues Hostile Profile of Conservative Fla. Gov. Rick Scott, 'Political Novice' With 'Go-It-Alone Style'
Florida’s new Republican Gov. Rick Scott is moving to cut state bureaucracy, reduce regulation and make the state a more business-friendly environment, and is meeting resistance among the old political guard in Florida. But instead of hailing the governor’s fresh blood and independence (as it had done previously with liberal Republican Gov. Charlie Crist of Florida), the New York Times does its best to paint him as an ideologue in over his head.
From Lizette Alvarez and Gary Fineout’s Tuesday report from Tallahassee, “Florida Republicans at Odds With Their New Executive.”
Rick Scott, the conservative Republican billionaire who plucked the governor’s job from the party establishment in November with $73 million of his own money and the backing of the Tea Party, vowed during his campaign to run the troubled state like a corporate chief executive (which he was) and not a politician (which he proudly says he is not).
And now it has become a problem, some of his fellow Republicans say.
....
Republican lawmakers in Florida were hoping for a smoother transition. Instead, they say, they got top-down management from a political novice.
The Times listed ways in which the governor had “irritated” or “annoyed” powerful state senators as well as “a host of leaders in conservative states." His rejection of federal stimulus money for high-speed rail “prompted new bouts of discord” even from “a staunch conservative Republican from central Florida."
So what do the taxpayers think about his rejection of a project most conservative Republicans find wasteful, especially in a time of budget strain? The Times doesn’t say. But Scott seems pretty popular among people who voted for him, which should be the only ones who count, not other politicians, although the Times managed to spin that into a negative:
Mr. Scott’s go-it-alone style of governing was on display vividly last month when he chose to unveil his two-year budget 200 miles from Tallahassee, in the rural town of Eustis, at a rally jammed with Tea Party supporters. Mr. Scott, who wants to promote business in the state and drastically reduce the government’s reach, proposes slashing $4.1 billion in spending and cutting property and corporate income taxes.
...
Lawmakers, though, are decidedly less optimistic about Mr. Scott’s budget plan, and even less enthusiastic about his uncongenial approach to Tallahassee. From the start, the relationship between powerful state Republicans and Mr. Scott was strained.
In contrast, liberal Republican Gov. Charlie Crist (who ran and lost in a race for the U.S. Senate in Florida as an independent in 2010 after losing the Republican primary to Marco Rubio) also became quite unpopular among GOP politicians. But in Crist’s case the Times portrayed his unpopularity among his party as a virtue, not a vice, three times calling him a “pariah,” and a “pragmatist” battling “ideological purists.”
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Comments
Which ones?
Submitted by Blonde on Thu, 03/10/2011 - 10:42am.
The Times listed ways in which the governor had “irritated” or “annoyed” powerful state senators as well as “a host of leaders in conservative states."
Okay, NYT, time to name names. Because I live in Florida, and follow local politics, and this is the first I've heard of it.
So, which powerful Florida state senators, and which "leaders" in which "states"? Because the only "powerful leaders" he's managed to irritate or annoy (much to my pleasure and applause) have been Barry Obama and Bill Nelson, both democrats....over the stinking corpse called a bullet train.
Tell you what, NYT....stay in New Yawk. We don't want nor need your kind here. It's bad enough we have your tax-sheltering refugees here, voting, so we seriously don't need you to tell us what's happening through your liberal shill filter. IOW.... bugger off, feckless shills!
Handy Reference Guide to Obama's Gaffes and Goofs ~ Currently Numbering 200 (and Counting)
sorry Blonde,
Submitted by Agnostic on Thu, 03/10/2011 - 10:47am.
but as long as you have the St. Petersburg Times in Florida you will have a constant flow of NYT reporting and socialist propaganda.My mullet-wrapper is the Sun-Sentinel
Submitted by Blonde on Thu, 03/10/2011 - 10:59am.
Which is also mostly a bunch of feckless shilling.
But they have a great weather radar, carry "Flori-duh" (which is hilarious, we have more idiots per capita here than any other place on the planet), the local "events"...plus the print version keeps my mom busy on Sundays, and serves as the usual drop-cloth, package stuffing, etc. It's become so small (both the pages have shrunk, as well as the thickness and number of sections) that it's actually quite easy to handle in the recycle bin, too. Sweet.
Handy Reference Guide to Obama's Gaffes and Goofs ~ Currently Numbering 200 (and Counting)
Blonde
Submitted by ricklail on Thu, 03/10/2011 - 11:20am.
I must diagree with you on idiots per capita. Calidamnfornia, that's what my father in law calls it, is a lot worst. I based this on San Fran/Berkley area. Outside of Miami I don't think Florida can hold a candle to them. I am going to tell you and Dave that I have discovered I was wrong on the stoooopIst Congresscriter. I thought it was Mel Watt but after seeing Shelia Jackson Lee lately I must change my mind. http://www.moonbattery.com/archives/2011/03/obnoxious-racis.html NB PLEASE FIX THE FORMATTING PROBLEMThanks, Rick
Submitted by Blonde on Thu, 03/10/2011 - 11:32am.
BTW, if you hit the "Switch to Rich Text Editor" under the comment box before you type, it will make your post format properly, and you'll have a stripped down version of the usual icons, including the hyperlink.
If you or anyone else here want to see what true loons we have here, while having a lovely time reading a novel or seven, check out Carl Hiiasen. He grew up here, a few miles down the road from me. He's a bit of a liberal, but he captures the idiocy of Florida perfectly. Every time I read his books I laugh out loud, and at least once each book, he writes a line which (I'm not kidding) have me laughing so hard I have tears running down my face and I can't breathe.
You notice Rush Limbaugh has tagged Port St. Lucie the Rio Linda of the South? There's a reason for that. Calling 911 because MickyD's is out of McNuggets is just the tip of the iceberg. Seriously.
Handy Reference Guide to Obama's Gaffes and Goofs ~ Currently Numbering 200 (and Counting)
Ditto on your comment about
Submitted by Beukeboom on Thu, 03/10/2011 - 1:13pm.
Ditto on your comment about Hiaasen. Also a friend of Hiaasen, Jimmy Buffett, also captures a lot of the lunacy unique to Florida in both song and fiction. I wish there were a Florida version of the late Lewis Grizzard currently writing today.
"Port St. Lucie the Rio Linda
Submitted by Beukeboom on Thu, 03/10/2011 - 1:16pm.
"Port St. Lucie the Rio Linda of the South"? From my personal standpoint & experience in regards to dealing with people throughout the state of Florida, I've got to say Lutz, FL out "Rio Linda"'s Port St. Lucie. But that's just my opinion.Just to let you know,
Submitted by CommanderTaya on Thu, 03/10/2011 - 2:23pm.
There is one sane person here. But in all fairness, I live right on the line of Lutz and Land O' Lakes. I howl with laughter when people ask if this is where the butter is made.Too funny, CommanderT
Submitted by Blonde on Thu, 03/10/2011 - 2:43pm.
Land O' Lakes butter made in Florida.
I didn't realize you were a Floridan too....welcome to the NB Florida (wrecking) crew.
Handy Reference Guide to Obama's Gaffes and Goofs ~ Currently Numbering 200 (and Counting)
Here in Tallahassee, we have
Submitted by Beukeboom on Thu, 03/10/2011 - 1:07pm.
Here in Tallahassee, we have the Tallahassee Mullet-wrap...er...Democrat.
Blonde, my question is....who
Submitted by bassndude on Thu, 03/10/2011 - 1:18pm.
Blonde, my question is....who in their right mind fishes for mullet?Save a SeAL, club a liberal/troll!!
mullet a week
Submitted by Agnostic on Thu, 03/10/2011 - 1:24pm.
used to go catch about one a week for the smoker - smoked mullet dip went over big where I lived at the time.
Making oatmeal into little balls was the difficult part. However, there were always a lot of people up and down the canals catching mullet - usually with a cast net some with cane poles.
Well, bass
Submitted by Blonde on Thu, 03/10/2011 - 1:36pm.
There are those who eat mullet...there's even a Mullet Festival (wonder if it's federally funded, Harry Reid?) on the west coast.
IIRC, they barbeque it, smoke it....I tried it once eons ago and wasn't terribly impressed.
As for wrapping the mullet....newspaper is the way to go. I don't "fish" for them, I cast net them. They make incredibly wondeful marlin baits, and downrigger baits for the big kingfish/wahoo. They are kind of a PITA, you have to de-spine them, and then sew their soft bellies. But if rigged correctly, they swim beautifully, and will last a long time. The newspaper comes in when you catch them. You wrap them in newspaper with some kosher salt and put them in the fridge for a day or so before you either rig them, or bag them for freezing. A "good" rigged mullet cost about $4 - $5, and that was ten years ago. Also, there are little "fingerling" mullet that sometimes run, and these make fabulous rigged trolling bait as well, for dolphin (mahi if you're a tourist), without the fuss and muss of the deboning and sewing.
Handy Reference Guide to Obama's Gaffes and Goofs ~ Currently Numbering 200 (and Counting)
Hey, Blonde, c'mon up to
Submitted by Beukeboom on Thu, 03/10/2011 - 1:47pm.
Hey, Blonde, c'mon up to Panacea for the Mighty Mullet Maritime Festival in October of this year. You can try some of the fish served by my friends at Hook Wreck Henry's.
That sounds like fun, Beuke
Submitted by Blonde on Thu, 03/10/2011 - 2:04pm.
And I'd love to visit a town named "Panacea", although it is probably full of snowbirds with such a great name!
Handy Reference Guide to Obama's Gaffes and Goofs ~ Currently Numbering 200 (and Counting)
Actually since this part of
Submitted by Beukeboom on Thu, 03/10/2011 - 2:09pm.
Actually since this part of the Gulf Coast is commonly referred to as "the Forgotten Coast" we don't get snowbirds much.Lucky you!
Submitted by Blonde on Thu, 03/10/2011 - 2:45pm.
We're currently overrun with the "je me souviens" crowd. IOW, Quebecois...rudest snowbirds on the face of the planet.Handy Reference Guide to Obama's Gaffes and Goofs ~ Currently Numbering 200 (and Counting)
Ahhhh! Marlin!! NOW ur
Submitted by bassndude on Thu, 03/10/2011 - 1:50pm.
Ahhhh! Marlin!! NOW ur talkin!!!Save a SeAL, club a liberal/troll!!
Oh, bassndude, fresh fried
Submitted by Beukeboom on Thu, 03/10/2011 - 1:42pm.
Oh, bassndude, fresh fried mullet is outstanding and there's a guy down in Panacea, FL south of Tallahasee on the coast at a little place called Mineral Springs Seafood & Bait who smokes mullet. Delicious!!!
Ewwww....I am totaly aginst
Submitted by bassndude on Thu, 03/10/2011 - 1:51pm.
Ewwww....I am totaly aginst eating bait fish...Save a SeAL, club a liberal/troll!!
Depends on how you treat it, bass
Submitted by Blonde on Thu, 03/10/2011 - 2:02pm.
There are plenty of "baitfish" that are perfectly delicous if you treat them properly.
For example, the oceanic bonito. That's from our trip to Mexico. Personally, I'd have slit the little sucker's throat, bled it, gutted it, and packed it with ice, in ice, before I'd eat it.....after sitting on a hot deck for a few hours, it of course tastes like bait. But if treated properly when caught, it is delicious, tastes just like tuna in a salad. As Beuke mentioned, smoked mullet dip sounds delicious, an oily fish is needed to smoke properly. I may just join him up yonder for the mullet festival.
Handy Reference Guide to Obama's Gaffes and Goofs ~ Currently Numbering 200 (and Counting)
Well, Blonde, I guess, if you
Submitted by bassndude on Thu, 03/10/2011 - 2:09pm.
Well, Blonde, I guess, if you have enough beer, anything is palatable.
Save a SeAL, club a liberal/troll!!
Trust me on this, bass
Submitted by Blonde on Thu, 03/10/2011 - 2:18pm.
We're talking a fast swimming, carnivorous pelagic fish in the oceanic bonito. Mullet are vegetarians. They're not carp.
Handy Reference Guide to Obama's Gaffes and Goofs ~ Currently Numbering 200 (and Counting)
Ok Blonde, I take your word
Submitted by bassndude on Thu, 03/10/2011 - 2:21pm.
Ok Blonde, I take your word for it. Gonna be down that way someday, may have to try it.
Save a SeAL, club a liberal/troll!!
Don't knock it until you
Submitted by Beukeboom on Thu, 03/10/2011 - 2:10pm.
Don't knock it until you tried it.Blonde, I live in Tallahassee
Submitted by Beukeboom on Thu, 03/10/2011 - 1:09pm.
Blonde, I live in Tallahassee and I've not heard about this either. The local morning radio talk show hasn't mentioned this specific issue and they follow state politics quite closely. The closest thing that may fit the perceived scenario are a few Republican congresscritters who are a tad upset that Scott turned down the Fed's money for a high-speed rail system that just happened to be in those Congresscritters' districts. One Republican congresscritter, Thad Altman of Melbourne has joined Democrat Arthenia Joyner of Tampa and filed a lawsuit to try to force Scott to accept the $3 billion project. Scott's reasons for turning the money down are all sound ones. However if the NYT is attacking you on political grounds, you must be doing something right.Spot-on, Beuke
Submitted by Blonde on Thu, 03/10/2011 - 1:39pm.
However if the NYT is attacking you on political grounds, you must be doing something right.
Perfect. Absolutely perfect. Scott is exceeding my expectations, so I'm a very happy voter right now.
Handy Reference Guide to Obama's Gaffes and Goofs ~ Currently Numbering 200 (and Counting)
Blonde...
Submitted by Jer on Thu, 03/10/2011 - 6:03pm.
I would consider the Chairman of the Budget Committee to be a relatively powerful Fla state senator, and it is certainly fair to construe Fasano's statements as expressing irritation with the Governor. J.D. Alexander's remarks about Scott's budget proposals weren't especially cordial either. They are both Republicans.edit. Clarification: Alexander is Budget chief and his problem with the Governor stemmed from the sale of a couple of airplanes without consulting the legislature.
Fasano's a RINO...
Submitted by Blonde on Thu, 03/10/2011 - 11:00pm.
....and powerful in his own mind.
These Florida Republicans think it's 1990. It's not. The power centers have shifted, and these old guard idiots are on their way out.
Rick Scott is doing everything he was elected to do. Including telling Barry Hussein to shove the Bullet Train.
This NYT's piece was sorta factual, but biased in the extreme. No worries, I judge a man by the enemies he makes, and so far, Rick Scott is spot-bloody on.
Handy Reference Guide to Obama's Gaffes and Goofs ~ Currently Numbering 200 (and Counting)
The bottom line is the voters
Submitted by Miss_Me_Yet on Thu, 03/10/2011 - 10:53am.
The bottom line is the voters of Florida were free to elect their own governor, they've chosen Rick Scott for that position, therefor the left wing political hacks ought to just put a sock in it.
That's just my opinion, but I'm sticking with it. anyway
Liberals ... we can't live with them, they couldn't survive without us ...
Not another Walker
Submitted by Agnostic on Thu, 03/10/2011 - 11:02am.
That is what this article is about. The NYT doesn't want to be caught behind in the fight against Conservatives like it was when Governor Walker pushed forward with the plan he proposed during the election cycle. They are being proactive in smearing anyone who might have a fiscally conservative agenda - ESPECIALLY if they are in a swing state.Here we have politicans that
Submitted by ricklail on Thu, 03/10/2011 - 11:05am.
Here we have politicans that are doing what they promised and the MSM is pissed.ricklail,
Submitted by Agnostic on Thu, 03/10/2011 - 11:09am.
You have to admit that politicians doing what they promise and what they were elected to do is a rather new concept to a lot of people.Hey NYT. Talk about being in over their head ...
Submitted by IgnatzJFahrquar on Thu, 03/10/2011 - 11:07am.
"the New York Times does its best to paint him as an ideologue in over his head" How about you only travel halfway down the East coast to find someone totally in over their head. He can be found in an Oval Office or on the golf course.What a joke
Submitted by Missouri Conser... on Thu, 03/10/2011 - 11:14am.
It's worth noting that the only Republican who really criticized Scott in any meaningful way was State Sen Mike Fasano. Fasano is a dead-ender RINO Republican who was one of Charlie Crist's sycophants and staunch supporters. He didn't support Scott or Rubio, now or ever. The rest of the article is pure inuendo. The comments by other Republicans can be read either way. She also makes it sound as if asking state workers to contribute 5% to their pension is some kind of radical move. Is she f**king kidding? These state workers never had to contribute a dime for their retirement or healthcare. Now they're being asked to contribute a small portion (less than the private sector), and that's a big deal?? She also says that it "angers" public workers that he is proposing switching new hires over to a 401(k) plan. Well boo-f**king-hoo, welcome to the real world. That's what EVERYONE ELSE HAS!Also put Thad Altman, a
Submitted by Beukeboom on Thu, 03/10/2011 - 1:19pm.
Also put Thad Altman, a Republican from Melbourne on that list since he joined Tampa Democrat Arthenia Joyner in filing a lawsuit to try to force Scott to accept the $4 billion for the high speed rail project. I don't know Altman so I can't say if he's a RINO or not but I feel putting his name on that lawsuit might damage his chances for re-election.Clay, I must apologize for commenting before clicking
Submitted by Blonde on Thu, 03/10/2011 - 11:19am.
In reading the actual article (very good, BTW, factual, but fecklessly biased as hell)...well, no wonder the NYT is all exercised about Governor Scott.
For those of you who aren't Floridan's...let me do a quick interpretation.
1) They're pissed because he sold the two executive jets, a la Palin. TS, ya'll. Now you'll have to take the awful flights to the capital, Tallahassee, which has no business being the state capital when the majority of the population lives in the bottom half of the state!
2) The old guard Republicans, who supported Bill McCollum for governor (another career pol, a good guy, but about as good looking and charismatic as Steve Forbes, alas)...are the one's who are offended. Good! You're on next, if you don't change your ways. We'll primary you bastards next time.
3) The bullet train. Again. The only people who want this albatross are those who stand to gain financially from it. I've yet to meet one Floridian w/o a financial interest who cares. We like to drive, and trust me when I tell you...the roads are long and straight and 85 mph is doable to Orlando. We don't need the trains, no one will ride it...it's a pipe dream, so sit down and shut up already.
4) Public Unions. Scott is doing Governer Walker V.2.0. This is going to start next week. Poor little government drones are going to have to kick in!!! Yikes. Demonstrations by feckless shills to follow. Guess I'm going to have to get some new sneakers (or roller skates, a la Brietbart) for the counter-insurgency.
I notice the NYT said he's annoyed "conservative leaders" in the state, without naming them. All I saw was the RINO's and old guard. Again, Good! No...GREAT!
5) Cutting Education by 10%. OMO, he's hit the third rail here. Guess what, with all of the northern flight due to unemployment and the tanked housing market, schools are hugely under capacity right now. Furthermore, my local school board, which takes money from the state, lives in the "Crystal Palace"....google it, Crystal Palace Broward County. These administrators need to be slashed through the bone, too, take away their beautiful waterfront building, sell it to someone who can actually pay for it!
IOW....for true conservatives and the Tea Party supporters who elected Rick Scott, what's not to love? For the RINO's and entrenched Republicans (friends of Charlie) and other feckless shills....of course they're going to be mad and try to destroy him. Good luck with that!
Handy Reference Guide to Obama's Gaffes and Goofs ~ Currently Numbering 200 (and Counting)
In Orlando, where I live, the
Submitted by Ed Gregory on Thu, 03/10/2011 - 11:20am.
In Orlando, where I live, the Sentinel takes shots at Gov. Scott just about every day. And on the paper's message boards, the libs are squealing like stuck pigs, especially over his rejection of money for high-speed rail. They love to talk about recalling him only two months into the job. Whatever happened to "give the guy a chance" like we heard with president zero? I like to remind them that if they don't like it, the state line is just a few hours north. Most of them came from that direction, anyway.Stuck pigs?
Submitted by Blonde on Thu, 03/10/2011 - 11:26am.
.....didn't you mean "stuck libs"?
I hate the Orlando Sentinel. Anyone who would hire Mike Bianchi deserves to go bankrupt. He's an idiot, as is their editorial board.
Unfortunately, Orlando is populated by a few natives and a zillion transplants, many of them from the socialist northern states. Weren't you guys responsible for Alan Grayson? I mean, not you personally, but your fellow denizens of RatLand? I know, I know, we have the Pelosi lapdog Wasserman-Shultz here in Broward, but we also removed the other Pelosi Puppy, Ron Klein...and now have THE Allen West.
Hang in there, keep after the liberals, and when they whine, tell them "I'll have to charge you $10 extra to listen to you tell me how they do it up north". Cheers, fellow Floridian.
Handy Reference Guide to Obama's Gaffes and Goofs ~ Currently Numbering 200 (and Counting)
Fortunately, I wasn't in
Submitted by Ed Gregory on Thu, 03/10/2011 - 11:38am.
Fortunately, I wasn't in Grayson's district. I like to think that was by the grace of God. John Mica is my rep, but all things considered, I'd rather have yours. By the way, did you know Bald Donkey (Bianchi) also has a radio show? Cheers to you, too, Blonde.Bald Donkey, LOL!
Submitted by Blonde on Thu, 03/10/2011 - 11:53am.
I thought Urban Meyer was going to kick his ###! (hoping, actually).
As I said to Rick, above, Florida has the all of the planet's idiots...don't believe it? Read Hiiasen.
As for Allen, everyone wants him. I hope he's going to be the role model for many, many more staunch conservatives to come. I'll share him in another couple of years, although if he wanted to take on Bill Nelson, I wouldn't cry. Although I'm hoping Jeb decides to do that this time around (I'll forgive him for warmly greeting Obama last week, he is a gentleman after all).
Handy Reference Guide to Obama's Gaffes and Goofs ~ Currently Numbering 200 (and Counting)
The Donkey -- he actually
Submitted by Ed Gregory on Thu, 03/10/2011 - 12:08pm.
The Donkey -- he actually calls himself "bulldog" -- has always been boys with Spurrier. I don't think Meyer appreciated that. You're right about that. There's no shortage of idiotic life down here. It started when every pest under the sun figured it was a good idea to live where it was warm, then the libs picked up on it. Oh, how I'd love to see a debate between West -- or Herman Cain -- and president zero. O: "Let me be clear...I'm getting my a** handed to me."Yeah, but
Submitted by GW on Thu, 03/10/2011 - 3:01pm.
isn't Webster from up there (Orlando area) too?Gosh, NYT...
Submitted by johnsonl on Thu, 03/10/2011 - 11:37am.
Don't you have a Mayor who bought his office? THREE TIMES???I was under the impression
Submitted by Willis_Leon_Johnson on Thu, 03/10/2011 - 12:32pm.
I was under the impression that the VOTERS elected him because of the positions he made well known throughout his campaign.
What does ANY media outlet have to complain about?
oh yeah, them stupid voters are too stupid to understand the intricacies of the political world and voting should be outlawed so the media can choose....
End 'gun violence in America' - Require training and MANDATORY "Shall Carry" by every Citizen.
If harry reid is the best person to lead the senate, what does that say about the other 99 senators?