Rick Scott won -- he got the job. It cost $100 million to do it. So, what battle is he fighting now that makes him lean so hard on the cash-drained, war-weary donors who carried him to victory last November?
No need at all.
But that's what the Florida governor is doing, hitting up his biggest 2014 contributors -- dialing for six-figure dollars to keep stoking his political committee, "Let's Get to Work."
For what? What important mission?
For ... TV ads.
That's right. And these aren't ads to sell Florida in target states where the governor is trying to steal away businesses and lure tourists. No. They're to show Floridians what a great job he's done to keep Florida working.
If you read the News Service of Florida's "Backroom Briefing" on Thursday, you know "Let's Get to Work" released a 30-second ad called "On the Move." It began airing across the state Thursday -- not-so-coincidentally two days after the start of the legislative session.
Here's what Scott says in the ad:"One place in America is adding jobs faster than ever -- Florida, where dreams come true. We are expanding industries, investing in our ports, making a record commitment to preserving our environment, devoting more resources to education. Now, working with your legislators, we plan to cut taxes by half a billion dollars. We believe you can spend your money better than government can. That's a dream come true and that's your Florida."
OK. But why? Why do I need to hear that? What is this ad actually for? And how many more of them will there be in the next four years? Media market ads during the campaign cost Scott upward of $60 million. Granted, 2014 involved an intense TV ad campaign. Even Scott dumped $12.8 million of his own money into the kitty. But it was crammed into one year, not four. How much will his loyal donors be asked to shell out by 2018?
The questions A-list donors are asking are these: Why is it so important to get the message out now? Are we being asked to pay for Scott's next run for higher office? Are the ads maybe to ward off opponents' lame-duck quacks and keep him relevant? Or is this a self-aggrandizement thing? Something to shore up his legacy as Florida's promise-keeping jobs governor?
All I can tell you is, behind boardroom doors, it isn't going over well, this old-fashioned stick-up. Scott's once-friendly corporate bro's -- the ones I've talked to at least -- are royally cheesed off. As one of them told me Friday, "Nobody's coming around to break our kneecaps if we don't give, but we've got legislation we need the governor's help on. Who is going to say 'no' during session? We wanted a little time to recover after last year, but he's got us over a barrel."
I asked another corporate donor, "Isn't the governor afraid when his second term ends, when they don't have to kiss the ring anymore, his friends will come to hate him?" The answer I got: "Some of them already do."
The governor now is doing his own messaging -- it isn't going through the Republican Party of Florida as it once did. So, perhaps it's understandable he has to raise at least some money. But twisting arms for cash as the legislative session opens? Bleeding old friends dry? The guys who gave last year till it hurt?
"It's hurting now," one CEO told me. "We need a break."
It's OK with me if Gov. Scott considers this a warning shot across his bow.
Reach Nancy Smith at nsmith@sunshinestatenews.com or at 228-282-2423. Twitter: @NancyLBSmith
