Republican Rick Scott did some political barnstorming through the state capital Friday -- holding a series of closed-door meetings with groups of lobbyists and association officials.
Scott, whose self-financed, $50 million Republican primary campaign burnished his image as an outsider, spent most of Friday huddling with the states most powerful insiders, whose campaign contributions and industry wish lists have shaped Florida public policy for decades.
I think he hit all the right buttons, said Associated Industries of Florida President Barney Bishop, who hosted a Scott breakfast meeting that drew about three-dozen people, including representatives of the oil, health-care, broadcasting and outdoor advertising industries.
Those attending the meeting told the News Service of Florida that Scott did most of the talking -- echoing his campaign themes of creating jobs, cutting government regulation and state spending, while eliminating the states corporate income tax, which would pull $1.8 billion from state coffers even as the state faces a $6 billion budget shortfall.
I think this is a guy who gets it, said Bishop, whose organization issued a dual endorsement of Scott and rival Bill McCollum in the primary. Now, however, Scott is emerging as AIFs choice over Democrat Alex Sink, who also is seeking to advance a pro-jobs, pro-business campaign agenda.
Most of those attending brought money. But lobbyist Ken Plante, whose clients include convenience stores, horse tracks, and certified public accountants, said the cash call was confined to $500 checks made out to Scotts campaign.
I think a lot of people who came to meet Mr. Scott, represent clients, associations and industries that will give to both candidates, Plante said. Its good that hes interested in learning more about the way things work in government. Things like the bid process, dealing with vendors. Why the state cant always hire somebody the way businesses do.
Plante acknowledged, however, that many of the inconsistencies that plague state government are driven by politics and favoritism -- factors sometimes involving the same people Scott met with Friday.
Later in the day, Scott was to meet with health-care lobbyists Jon Johnson and Travis Blanton at their Tallahassee office.
Fridays meeting was at least the second gathering of the nominee and lobbyists who had helped finance McCollums campaign. During a two-day victory tour earlier this week across the state, Scott met with Capitol lobbyists in Tampa who pledged money and support for his campaign. Among those who participated were Ronnie Book, Wilbur Brewton and Brian Ballard, who had been an ardent fund-raiser for McCollum.
A Scott spokeswoman denied that the candidate was being hypocritical wooing many of the lobbyists and associations he derided during the primary as the special interests behind McCollums campaign.
Rick Scott is saying Im a conservative outsider, said Jennifer Baker, Scotts communications director. Hes beholden to no one. He thinks hes the best person to turn the economy around, create jobs and cut red tape. If you believe in this agenda, we welcome support from anyone.
Kyra Jennings, a Sink spokeswoman, didnt see it that way.
Rick Scott is now the ultimate insider, in bed with the same partisan special interests and party leaders he said just two weeks ago were tainted with corruption and scandal, Jennings said. While Rick Scott may be favored by Tallahassee special interests, Alex Sink is supported by small-business owners across Florida who know she has a longstanding record as a respected business leader.
Still, Scotts burgeoning bond with Tallahassee lobbyists may be an ominous sign for Sink, a former board member of the states Chamber of Commerce, who is pushing her business background as the former president of Bank of Americas Florida operations and past three years as chief financial officer.
Scotts unknown, outsider stance briefly seemed to position him as hostile to the lobbyists, industries and associations that either make their living off state government, seek its contracts, or try to shape policy. By Friday, however, Scott seemed to emerge as the top choice for many whose support can also yield millions of dollars in campaign contributions.
The move also comes as the Florida Republican Party struggles with its financing. The News Service of Florida has reported that the state GOPs federal account, which is used primarily for get-out-the-vote efforts, party salaries and office expenses, dwindled to a mere $54,000 last month.
With Florida unemployment at 11.5 percent, Sink, like Scott, has sought to cast herself as the candidate who can best reposition the states economy. Shes promised to streamline state government, boost partnerships between state universities and private industries, improve the quality of the states work force and be Floridas economic ambassador.
