Gov. Rick Scott
Rick Scott drew parallels between the rise of Republican presidential frontrunner Donald Trump and his own political course in a bylined column the Florida governor wrote Wednesday for USA Today.
The piece was posted under the headline “Donald Trump has America’s pulse: Rick Scott.”
The governor pointed out that he was not endorsing Trump — and had no plans to back anyone in the Republican field before Florida’s March primary. But Scott said it is evident that voters are “choosing new ideas and new energy over the old formula of sheer time served in political office.”
“Political pundits are shocked that Donald Trump is leading in the polls,” Scott leads off before recounting his own GOP primary victory over establishment favorite Bill McCollum.
“The same thing happened in 2010 when I entered the Florida gubernatorial race against the already anointed and establishment-endorsed sitting Republican attorney general. One establishment member even said to me “how can you be Governor? I don’t know you.”
Scott then turns to Trump saying, “there is no doubt that Donald is a man who speaks and tweets his mind freely.
“But, I don’t think his ability to give the most interesting interviews or speeches is the only thing that has him leading in the polls. I think he is capturing the frustration of many Americans after seven years of President Obama’s very intentional government takeover of the American economy.”
The governor also outlined what he sees as the mandate facing the next president.
“Our next president cannot simply tweak our national economic policies. We need a complete overhaul,” Scott wrote, concluding with a recommendation for those in the crowded Republican White House field.
“It is my hope that every Republican presidential candidate will become laser-focused on job creation because I want our next president to be a Republican, and I want them to eliminate the regulations and taxes that are poisoning our country’s future.
“The pollsters and pundits will keep trying to read voters’ minds. In the meantime, I am glad Republicans are frustrated. I am glad we are demanding a major change, because until we get serious about that, we will continue to get more of the same,” Scott said.
