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.