SCOTT UNDERCUTTING ROMNEY’S MESSAGE, DEMS DELIGHTED SCOTT WILL BE FACE OF FL REPUBLICANS AT RNC
Dems say they’re eager to see Scott at RNC [Tampa Tribune] “Democrats say they’re eager to see Florida Gov. Rick Scott, with his low job approval ratings, speaking at the Republican convention in Tampa. ‘After all, who better than Rick ‘Toxic’ Scott to serve as the face of Florida Republicans while the whole world is watching?’ said a news release today from the Florida Democratic Party executive director Scott Arceneaux. ‘And with his record of putting the Tea Party and corporate special interests ahead of middle class families, Scott is the perfect spokesman to explain how he shares Mitt Romney’s vision for Florida, and our country.'”
It’s Scott v. Romney on Florida’s economy [Palm Beach Post] “A day after being tapped for a speaking role at the Republican National Convention, Florida Gov. Rick Scott continued Tuesday to march to his own drummer on the state’s economy — putting him out of step with presumptive presidential nominee Mitt Romney”
On message or not, Gov. Scott will keep touting success [News Service of Florida] “The RNC announced this week that Scott, as the host governor, will have a speaking role at the convention, though Scott said Tuesday he hasn’t been told any details. He won’t change his message, though.”
Gov. Scott will do balancing act describing Florida economy to GOP faithful [Palm Beach Post column] “Gov. Rick Scott will deliver a speech at this summer’s Republican National Convention. Scott is expected to say how (wonderful / horrible) the economy has been in Florida under (his / President Obama’s) administration.”
Scott keeps distance from latest HCA probe [Palm Beach Post] “Gov. Rick Scott kept his distance Tuesday from allegations that his former hospital chain is being investigated by federal officials over billing for unnecessary medical treatments, mostly at its Florida hospitals.”
OFA LAUNCHES “HISPANIC SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS” FOR OBAMA Obama campaign launches ‘Hispanic Small Business Owners For Obama’ [Orlando Sentinel] “Obama For America today launched “Hispanic Small Businesses For Obama,’ – highlighting Florida small businesses that support the president.”
New OFA Web Video Highlights President Obama’s Commitment to Women’s Health Security [OFA] “Elizabeth Banks shares why women’s health security is important and how Planned Parenthood helped her after college. She shares the difference between President Obama’s continuing support for women and Mitt Romney’s plan to compromise women’s rights. “
WHAT YOU’VE HEARD ABOUT CONNIE IS TRUE Bill Nelson says Connie Mack IV has been “a promoter for Hooters with a history of bar room brawling, altercations and road rage.” [Politifact] “Narrator: ‘Florida, meet Connie Mack IV. A promoter for Hooters with a history of bar room brawling, altercations and road rage. A big spender with a trail of debts, liens and unpaid bills. He has one of the worst attendance records in Congress this year but he still voted to end Medicare as we know it. Questionable work habits. A sense of entitlement. Connie Mack, he thinks the rules are different for him.’…We rate this claim Mostly True.”
ON THE CONGRESSIONAL FRONT — BEAVEN TALKS ECONOMIC GROWTH , EHRLICH RACKING UP ENDORSEMENTS
Candidate interview: Heather Beaven (D) running for District 6 seat [WESH Orlando] “Watch WESH 2 reporter Greg Fox’s full interview with Congressional candidate Heather Beaven.”
CWA, IBEW, Ironworkers, and UTU Endorse Ehrlich for Congress [Ehrlich for Congress] “The Communication Workers Association, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, International Association of Iron Workers and the United Transportation Union have endorsed Jessica Ehrlich for Congress.”
Grayson ads target Quinones in Republican primary battle [Orlando Sentinel] “Democrat Alan Grayson, who is unopposed, is spending heavily on ads hammering away at Republican John Quinones as a tax-raiser in the days leading up to Tuesday’s GOP primary.”
Allen West Sends Chick-Fil-A To Black Caucus Meeting And Offends Everyone, Says Dem Rep [Huffington Post] “A Democratic lawmaker says Rep. Allen West (R-Fla.) offended the entire Congressional Black Caucus by delivering Chick-fil-A chicken and biscuits to their weekly meeting — and then walking out — when it was his turn to provide the group with a formal lunch.”
In Florida primary, Reps. John Mica and Sandy Adams represent GOP mainstream vs. tea party [Times/Herald] “The Central Florida race, which has become one of the most watched in the nation, has spun into a cycle of attacks, counterattacks and finger-pointing.”
OTHER NEWS WE THOUGHT YOU SHOULD KNOW
In HD 68, Dwight Dudley wins support of local firefighters orgs. away from Frank Farkas [SaintPetersblog] “In House District 68, Democratic nominee Dwight Dudley announced endorsements from the Florida Professional Firefighters and the St. Petersburg Association of Firefighters. The Firefighters had previously supported former lawmaker Frank Farkas during his time in office, but have chosen to back Dudley in 2012.”
Rev. Al Sharpton urges ‘action’ to get South Florida’s black voters to vote [Miami Herald] “The Rev. Al Sharpton came to South Florida Tuesday to encourage black voters to register, get the proper ID and cast their ballots.”
A way to protect Florida’s treasures [Miami Herald editorial] “Tough economic times and a penchant in Tallahassee for “easy solutions” to close budget gaps have left the state’s environmental treasures and wildlife programs in the dumps. What these recreation and conservation lands need is a stable, dedicated source of funding.”
Environmental groups launch amendment drive to create enviro protection fund [Miami Herald] “A coalition of the state’s top environmental organizations on Tuesday launched a petition drive to put an amendment on the November 2014 ballot that would guarantee a stable source of money for environmental protection.”
Rick Scott on FPL rate hike: not my issue [Miami Herald] “Gov. Rick Scott appeared last weekend at the RedState 2012 gathering in Jacksonville and proclaimed to the conservative crowd there that ‘anything that comes out of your pocket I want to reduce. I want to reduce every fee and tax I can.’ Does that include utility bills?”