Continuing its efforts against Gov. Rick Scott, the Florida Democratic Party released the latest of its Fraud Files Web videos on Tuesday. The new video focuses on Scotts tenure at HCA/Columbia, showing an ABC News clip from back in 2004 showcasing how a whistle-blower helped uncover Medicare fraud at that company.
Jumping on Scott for his role in one of the largest corporate heists in American history, the Florida Democrats vowed to continue bringing up Scotts record at HCA/Columbia.
For years, as the investigation continued, Americans watched as warrants were served, agents dismantled offices, TV anchors accused Rick Scott of corruption, and whistle-blowers came forward, the Florida Democratic Party insisted on Tuesday. Count on 'Fraud Files' to remind Floridians of exactly why Rick Scott is just too shady for the Sunshine State.
The Republican Party of Florida (RPOF) released a new TV spot on Monday defending Scott from the attacks of former Gov. Charlie Crist, insisting the Democratic candidate only can offer attacks.
"After all these attack ads, Charlie Crist wants you to hate me," Scott says in the ad. "I guess thats all hes got. The race is not about Charlie or me. Its about you and your family. Together were turning Florida around."
Without a record to run on, Charlie Crist wants to make voters hate Rick Scott, said Leslie Dougher, the chairwoman of the RPOF, on Monday. But this election isnt about Rick Scott or Charlie Crist; its about the people of Florida. And under Rick Scott, hundreds of thousands of Floridians have new jobs, the tax burden on Florida families is lighter, tourists from all over the world are flocking to this state once again, and our students are given the resources they need to pursue their version of the American dream. This election is a fight for the future of all Floridians and we cant afford to turn back the clock.
Looking to catch Crist and Scott, this week Libertarian Adrian Wyllie released a new Web video in which he talks about taxes.
You know, when election season rolls around, incumbents like to throw you a bone and give you a tax cut here and there, Wyllie says in the video. Recently Rick Scott gave us a $25-off coupon when we renew our auto tag.
I want to talk to you about my proposal for real tax cuts, Wyllie adds. One of those is a 100 percent homestead property tax exemption. That means if you own your home you pay zero taxes on it. You know, philosophically I dont believe that you should pay property taxes. If you own your home but the government can tax it and then take it from you if you fail to pay those taxes, you dont own it. Youre a tenant and the government is a landlord.
So, what Im proposing is the 100 percent tax exemption, saving the average Florida family up to $2,000 per year, Wyllie continues. Think about how that will stimulate the economy the right way. Now, I know many of you are thinking that the loss of revenue for your county, for your local schools, local roads, police, fire ... When we cut the state budget by 30 percent, we can actually change the entire structure of the state sales tax. Currently, the state receives 6 cents out of every dollar in sales tax. Were going to reallocate that to 2 cents to the county and 4 cents to the state. So, that means that all your local services will be fully funded. It will be revenue neutral for the counties and you will have considerably more in your pocket. Thats the right way to handle it and thats something that the Republicans and the Democrats in government will not do. But Im willing to do that.
Three polls released on Tuesday find former Gov. Crist ahead of Scott by narrow margins.
The latest WFLA poll taken by Survey USA shows Scott bouncing back against Crist. In last weeks WFLA poll, Crist led 46 percent while Scott took 40 percent and Wyllie took 8 percent. In the latest WFLA poll released on Tuesday, Crist drops to 44 percent while Scott moves up to 42 percent and Wyllie falls back to 6 percent.
The poll finds both Crist and Scott are upside down. Only 36 percent of those surveyed see Scott as favorable while 46 percent see him as unfavorable. Crist is also seen as favorable by 36 percent while 44 percent view him as unfavorable.
Earlier on Tuesday, Democratic pollster Public Policy Polling (PPP) released a poll taken on behalf of liberal group Center for American Progress showing Crist ahead, 45 percent to 43 percent, while Wyllie took 8 percent. The PPP poll includes 44 percent Democrats and 39 percent Republicans, but more of the voters they surveyed backed former Gov. Mitt Romney, R-Mass., over President Barack Obama in the 2012 presidential race.
Also on Tuesday, 0ptimus released a poll showing Crist at 40 percent, Scott with 39 percent and Wyllie moving into double digits with 13 percent.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or follow him on Twitter: @KevinDerbySSN
