Democrats gathering for their annual fundraising dinner at the Westin Diplomat Resort on Saturday were certain of one thing: They will defeat Republican Gov. Rick Scott in a little more than a year.
“Rick Scott will be a one-term governor,” declared Florida Democratic Party Chairwoman Allison Tant to the 1,300 who gathered in a ballroom for the dinner. “Come January 2015, Rick Scott will hand the keys to the Governor’s Mansion over to Democratic hands.”
But which hands will receive those keys, should Tant’s vision of the future come true, remains unclear.
Democrats have a few potential candidates to take on Scott in 2014, when the so-far unpopular governor goes back before voters. But they have a shortage of declared candidates; the only one who has currently said she’s running is former state Sen. Nan Rich, whose exclusion from the speaker’s list at Saturday’s event drew publicity. (Tant said she was going to send an in-kind contribution reporting form to Republican Party Chairman Lenny Curry for calling attention to the flap — and the dinner.)
The three other candidates most often mentioned — former Republican Gov. Charlie Crist, who has since switched parties; former Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink, who came up just short of beating Scott as the party’s nominee in 2014; and U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, the only remaining Democrat in statewide office — have said they haven’t made up their mind yet or, in Nelson’s case, denied any interest at all.
And so what appears to be unprecedented enthusiasm among Democrats to win in 2014, with the dinner raising a record of $850,000 in confirmed contributions, is so far pointed against Scott even with the lack of a single candidate who has cleared the field.
“What it shows you is that people are so anxious for a change they almost don’t care who the person is,” Tant said shortly before the event.
National party officials are also, so far, unconcerned.
“I think whoever the Democratic nominee is will beat Rick Scott,” said Florida Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz, who doubles as chair of the Democratic National Committee. “…It’s just going to be a matter of who is going to be able to get organized and focused and build the momentum.”
The undeclared candidates are so far playing things close to the vest.
“Obviously, I’m giving it very serious consideration, and I’m looking forward to making a decision before too long,” Crist told reporters who asked about a potential run.
And while he might demur on whether he’ll take on Scott, Crist was ready when asked about the incumbent’s focus on the job losses of Crist’s term and the job gains in more recent years.
“I’m not going to take credit for the global economic meltdown, and I don’t think he should take credit for the jobs that are coming in thanks to President Obama,” Crist said.
Sink said she hasn’t ruled out taking another shot at Scott, but said one of the largest factors in her decision right now is whether she could see herself taking on the race without the late Bill McBride, her husband.
“He very much wanted me to run again,” she said. “But, you know, he’s not here to go home to every night and be my cheerleader.”
The one who has been most emphatic about his intentions is Nelson, who once again told reporters that he wasn’t looking to throw his hat in the ring.
“First of all, you’ve heard me say it 100 times, and I’ll say it again: I have no plans to run for governor. I have no intention of running for governor,” he said.
But Nelson ripped into Scott during his speech at the dinner, and has continued to draw rumors about a possible bid — something he dismissed as a result of some of the unpopular stances Scott has taken.
“That’s why people are upset,” Nelson said. “And they’re looking for someone that can take him on and win.”
Others seem more than happy to float trial balloons for Nelson. During her remarks to the dinner, Wasserman Schultz noted that Nelson had gone from a state legislator to congressman to Florida insurance commissioner to U.S. Senator.
“Now, there seems to be a pattern here,” she said. “Tallahassee, DC, Tallahassee, DC. Hmm. Just saying. Just an observation.”
There were laughs and some scattered applause.
–Brandon Larrabee, News Service of Florida
A video the Florida Democratic Party released on June 16:
Meanwhile, the Republican Party of Florida Continues Its Preemptive Strikes on Charlie Crist:
Ron Hubbard says
Arrogance and blockheadedness is what progressive Democrats have in abundance. Good for them.
Dave Sullivan says
The Democrats were drinking the cool aid in south Florida last night.
Please let Charlie Crist run as the Democrat in the Governor Election
next year. Beating the two faced, lying, overly tanned, and poor excuse for a
human being Crist will be like pulling a tick off your pet dog. The Dems know
they are in trouble when they put forward a pipe dream like Sen Nelson as
a possible candidate. Suits me, we just put in a Republican to fill his Senator
Seat and get rid of Nelson at the same time.
Dave
Pete says
Crist has the best shot and could win. I like Sink but she lost once to Scott. Meanwhile, back at the ranch Scott is over in Paris drumming up business for Florida. He brought 70 people with him. Who’s fitting that bill for 10 days. Europe’s economy is worse then ours. They need business more than us?
Johnny Taxpayer says
This reminds me of the 2004 Presidential race, the Democrats were so certain of victory the ran the worst possible candidate, John Kerry and lost. The same will happen this time, they will pick Charlie Suntan and Gov. Skelator, even with low approval ratings, will be reelected.
Magnolia says
@ Pete: Why don’t you ask the President. He spends a great deal of time out of the country and I notice that Jeff Imelt is no longer coordinating his jobs programs.
Songbird says
I’d like to see Val Demings take on Gov. Scott.
Karma says
@Pete
Have you looked at the projected cost of the Obama’s trip to Africa? 60 to 100 million dollars.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/obamas-trip-to-africa-poses-special-challenges-enormous-costs/2013/06/13/29d9270a-cd29-11e2-8845-d970ccb04497_print.html
Dusty says
I’m a Democrat and like Crist when he was a Republican as Governor, but like him better now that is has changed his party. Crist is the best choice. I like Alex but don’t think she can win against Crist.
Geezer says
“Rick Scott” is synonymous with the sudden display of one’s middle finger.
Just the other day a rude dude cut me off – I rolled my window down and exclaimed
“RICK SCOTT” and he retorts: “and the horse you rode in on.”
I loaned a power tool to a friend, who immediately broke it.
He apologized for “Rick Scotting” my Milwaukee 1/2″ drill.
A slovenly Bunnell man was pick-pocketed las Saturday morning.
On the deputy’s report it said: A case of “Rick Scotting” in broad daylight.
I had a tummy ache. I didn’t feel right until I Rick Scotted.
Rick Scott means many things to different people.
BW says
I’m not Scott’s biggest fan nor am I a Republican (I’m NPA), but at this point would vote for him for another term. The State is doing better financially and I 100% agree with some of his recent (and past) policy decisions. I especially agree with vetoing the mandatory Sick Time legislation. That bill had the potential to truly cripple businesses in Florida.
Yes, some government intervention was needed 6 years ago when the economy was tanking. Now it’s time to back off, but it seems like people want more put under government control and is becoming the foundation of Democrat ideas. I don’t agree with quite a bit on the Republican side and even more on the Democrat side anymore.