Throwing the Bums In

The Florida governor's race showcases tea party power and President Obama's drag effect on his party. Otherwise, how could a man who apparently escaped the law only by taking the Fifth Amendment be a competitive contender?

In a debate on Wednesday Republican nominee Rick Scott was repeatedly asked about charges that would have ended a candidacy for town drunk. During his watch in the 1990s, Mr. Scott's former company, Columbia/HCA, engaged in Medicare fraud that led to a record $1.7 billion in fines. He pleaded the Fifth Amendment 75 times at a deposition concerning his role as CEO. Once again last night he dodged.

Also, Scott comes across as a shiny robot with flailing arms that seem connected to R2D2 instead of his own torso. Indeed, you have to wonder whether he might actually come from the rumored alien landing in Roswell, NM -- or at least has relatives from Area 51.

What fuels this shady character against Democratic hopeful Alex Sink, a benign former businesswoman, is Scott's rhetorical appeal to tea partiers, his mastery of anti-Obama lingo and, in no small part, his possibly ill-gotten personal fortune.

That mix appears to be one of those perfect storms that propels even suspected criminals into office.

Florida Governor's Debate Video: Part 1 / Part 2

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Comments

[jonthebru]

12:37 AM on 10/24/2010

Americans are being worked over. All these years of complacent conditioning to be nice little consumers has resulted in this amazing take over by the worst self serving crooks imaginable. You watch a fictitious movie, Batman, for example, the corrupt city boss is beyond belief. Well, meet the new boss, same as the old boss... Our educational system has failed miserably, the citizenry cannot practice critical thinking. They may as well have rings in their noses.
When the cuts come and the evidence is clear, the riots in Europe will pale to what will happen in our country.

[Paperless Tiger]

12:36 AM on 10/24/2010

The Right has an astonishing tolerance for corruption in their own, although they screech about any trivia against their rivals.

[Katrina Taylor]

11:36 PM on 10/23/2010

Wow. And people still say the media is "left-leaning". If that were the case this story, along with all the other "tea party" hypocrisy, would be looped over and over again. These people using the banner of "tea party" are denigrating a noble act with their lies & manipulations. They don't even try to make sense, trusting that their followers are sufficiently fearful enough to support them, no matter what. Willfully ignorant because no way can people believe these snake-oil salesmen unless they're living in an absolute state of denial. These are those of the truly "forked-tongue" with their hypocrisy clear for all to see. But all don't choose to see and they'll fight to the death to defend their non-stance. "No taxation without representation" but the Supreme Court has sold our country out to foreign interests. I hear nothing from these "tea baggers". Seriously? Unbelievable.