Governor Scott Once Again Pulls Flip Flop In Clumsy Attempt to Distance Himself From Trump
“Rick Scott tried to distance himself from his pal Donald Trump with a tweet condemning the President’s racist “shithole countries” comment. But, we see Scott’s tweet for what it is – a clumsy attempt to appease voters to further his political ambitions. The truth is that Governor Scott passed up multiple opportunities to condemn the President’s racist, anti-veteran and anti-woman comments in the past,” said Terrie Rizzo, Chair of the Florida Democratic Party. “It’d be nice if Governor Scott condemned ALL of Donald Trump’s racist and sexist statements and even better if Scott pushed for policies that create an economy where all of Florida can succeed, not just his billionaire friends and donors.”
Just some of the times, Governor Scott refused to condemn President Trump’s racist, sexist and anti-veteran statements in the past:
TRUMP ATTACKING KHAN FAMILY
SCOTT DID NOT REBUKE TRUMP AFTER HE ATTACKED GOLD STAR MUSLIM-AMERICAN PARENTS
Scott, On Trump Attacking Khan Family, Said His Experience With Trump Was That Believed In Military. “Trump has since suggested that Ghazala Khan was prohibited from speaking by her husband, which many have taken as a slap against both Muslims and Gold Star parents, who have lost a son or daughter in military service. ‘I’m never going to agree with every candidate on everything they’re going to say,’ Scott said, although he stopped far short of condemning Trump’s comments or acknowledging they were out of line. ‘I care about the military. I care about law enforcement. I was blessed to have the opportunity to serve this country,’ said Scott, a Navy veteran. He concluded, ‘My experience with Donald Trump is he believes in our military.’” [Palm Beach Post, 8/3/16]
Scott, On If Trump To Apologize After He Criticized American Muslim Khan Family Whose Son Was Killed In Iraq, Said Talk To Trump, Never Going To Agree With What Every Candidate Says. “Top Florida Republicans are distancing themselves from GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump’s comments about an American Muslim family whose son was killed in Iraq. […] Scott, who served in the U.S. Navy, would not comment directly on Trump’s comments and instead said Tuesday that ‘I’m never going to agree with every candidate on what they are going to say.’ He praised Trump as someone ‘who believes in our military.’ When asked if Trump should apologize, as Scott said: ‘You can talk to Donald Trump. I just can tell you from my standpoint I’m appreciate of everybody that served.’” [Associated Press, 8/2/16]
The Miami Herald Said Scott Did Not Rebuke Trump After Criticizing Khan Family.“Donald Trump drew mild denunciations Tuesday from three of Florida’s highest ranking Republican elected officials for criticizing the family of a slain American soldier. Gov. Rick Scott, however, was not one of them, sparing his favorite presidential candidate any criticism. ‘I’m never going to agree with every candidate on what they’re going to say,’ Scott told reporters after a Cabinet meeting. ‘Listen to Donald Trump. He believes in our military. He wants to build up our military.’” [The Miami Herald, 8/2/16]
TRUMP’S “MEXICAN” JUDGE COMMENTS
SCOTT DID NOT DEFEND NOR CRITICIZE TRUMP’S “MEXICAN” JUDGE COMMENTS
Scott Did Not Defend Nor Criticize Trump’s “Mexican” Judge Comments. “Gov. Rick Scott cancelled a planned meeting with Donald Trump in New York Monday because of Tropical Storm Colin. At the state emergency operations center in Tallahassee, Scott was asked whether Trump’s comments about the ‘Mexican’ judge in a case involving his university reflects racist views. Given a chance to defend Trump, Scott did not — but he didn’t criticize Trump either. ‘I can’t tell you that I would say the same thing that any other candidate says,’ Scott said at a brief session with Capitol reporters to discuss non-storm related issues. ‘I can tell you that what’s important to me is that all candidates do what they can to get their message out.’” [Tampa Bay Times, 6/6/16]
TRUMP SAYING ISLAM HATES AMERICA
SCOTT REFUSED TO CRITICIZE TRUMP’S STATEMENT THAT ISLAM HATES AMERICA
March 2016: Scott Refused To Criticize Trump’s Statement That Islam Hates America.“Gov. Rick Scott, who has decided not to endorse in Florida’s GOP primary, declined Thursday during an MSNBC ‘Morning Joe’ appearance to criticize a statement Republican candidate Donald Trump made about Muslims. ‘You’re a friend of Donald Trump,’ host Joe Scarborough told Scott. ‘Will you tell your friend Donald Trump that he should walk back his statements that Muslims, that Islam hates America? ‘Do you think Muslims in the state of Florida hate America,’ Scarborough asked. Scott didn’t respond directly to the question, opting instead to promote Florida’s diversity. ‘Well as you know in Florida, we’re the best melting pot in the world. We love everybody coming to our state,’ Scott said.” [Naples Daily News, 3/11/16]
Scott Was Not Sure What Trump Meant When He Said Islam Hated America. “The question surfaced after Trump told CNN’s Anderson Cooper Wednesday, ‘I think Islam hates us.’ When asked by Cooper to clarify if he was referring to radical Islam, Trump said yes. […] Later Thursday, in an interview with CNN’s Erin Burnett on Trump’s statement, Scott said, ‘I’m not sure what Donald meant when he said what he said.’ Scott told Burnett that the problem is with ‘radical Islam.’ He said he’s reminded of the 2014 funeral he attended of Miami-born journalist Steven Sotloff, who was kidnapped and beheaded by ISIS militants in Syria.” [Naples Daily News, 3/11/16]
MSNBC’S MORNING JOE BRZEZINSKI CRITICIZED SCOTT’S NON-RESPONSE, CALLED IT “SNIVELING POLITICAL WAVERING,” CUT SEGMENT
MSNBC’s Morning Joe’s Brzezinski Criticized Scott’s Non-Response On Trump Islam Comments, Called It “Sniveling Political Wavering,” Doubted His Endorsement Would Have Any Effect. “Following the interview, Brzezinski blasted Scott’s appearance. ‘That was weak, sniveling political wavering,’ she said. ‘I doubt his endorsement would have any effect anyway.’” [Pensacola News Journal, 3/11/16]
MSNBC’s Morning Joe’s Brzezinski Called For Segment To Be Wrapped After Scott’s Non-Answer On Trump Islam Comments. “Scarborough again asked for Scott’s opinion and if he agreed with Trump. But Scott gave talking points about Florida. The two hosts quickly cut him off, and Scarborough broached the question again: ‘Do you personally think that Islam is a religion that hates America?’ For the third time, Scott dodged, and Brzezinski could be heard off-screen saying: ‘Wrap it.’ She gave a final go, even addressing him by his first name. ‘Can you answer the question, or should we scoot?’” [Tampa Bay Times, 3/11/16]
ACCESS HOLLYWOOD
SCOTT STOPPED SHORT OF CONDEMNING TRUMP FOR ACCESS HOLLYWOOD TAPE
Orlando Sentinel: Scott “Stopped Short Of Condemning” Trump In Wake Of 2005 Women Comments. “Gov. Rick Scott expressed disapproval of lewd comments by Donald Trump that emerged Friday, but stopped short of condemning the Republican presidential hopeful. Scott chairs a super PAC backing the GOP nominee. ‘I think what he said was wrong,’ Scott said while making an appearance at Jacksonville’s Cecil Field to discuss Hurricane Matthew recovery efforts. ‘I don’t know why anybody would say things like that. I think it’s absolutely wrong.’ But when asked if he still supported Trump, Scott turned back to Hurricane Matthew recovery.” [Orlando Sentinel, 10/8/16]
Scott, When Asked About Trump’s 2005 Comments On Women, Did Not Revoke Endorsement. “Gov. Rick Scott expressed disapproval of lewd comments by Donald Trump that emerged Friday, but stopped short of condemning the Republican presidential hopeful. Scott chairs a super PAC backing the GOP nominee. ‘I think what he said was wrong,’ Scott said while making an appearance at Jacksonville’s Cecil Field to discuss Hurricane Matthew recovery efforts. ‘I don’t know why anybody would say things like that. I think it’s absolutely wrong.’ But when asked if he still supported Trump, Scott turned back to Hurricane Matthew recovery.” [Orlando Sentinel, 10/8/16]
CHARLOTTESVILLE
SCOTT ON CHARLOTTESVILLE, SAID “BOTH SIDES” BORE BLAME
Scott On Charlottesville, Said “Both Sides” Bore Blame. “Q: Governor, last question. Part of being an elected representative is being a leader. And Sen. Marco Rubio said he believed white supremacists were 100% to blame for inciting the violence in Charlottesville. President Donald Trump said that he thought that many sides were to blame. Where do you fall on the spectrum between those two GOP leaders? A: I’ve been very clear that what happened in Charlottesville was evil, there was bigotry. I oppose that. I oppose racism. There’s no place in our society for KKR, for white supremacists, neo-Nazis. Um, the what happ– There was no moral high ground on one side. Um, you know, the um, on both sides was – the, what happened to that young lady was horrible. You know, I think about – when these things happen you always think about your family. And I think about the daughter, the young lady is about the same age as one of my daughters. But, I served in the military. My dad fought the Nazis. I’ve met a lot of Holocaust survivors.” [Naples Daily News, 8/22/17]
Scott On Charlottesville, Said “There’s No Moral Authority On Both Sides.” “Q: Governor, a lot of talk about confederate monuments around the country. Here in Fort Myers, we have two dedicated to Robert E. Lee. People are calling for them to be taken down. Do you believe confederate monuments should come down? A: You know, we live in a great country where at the local level, at the state level, at the federal level, you know, we have policy decisions, we make decisions about things like monuments. And so, we have representative government and everybody needs to go through that process and work through that process. As you know, it was horrible what happened in Charlottesville. It was evil. There’s no place in our society for KKR, for neo-Nazis or for white supremacists. There’s no moral authority on both sides. We saw white supremacists accused of killing that young lady. And I have a daughter about the same age as her.” [Naples Daily News, 8/22/17] In Clumsy Attempt to Distance Himself From Trump
“Rick Scott tried to distance himself from his pal Donald Trump with a tweet condemning the President’s racist “shithole countries” comment. But, we see Scott’s tweet for what it is – a clumsy attempt to appease voters to further his political ambitions. The truth is that Governor Scott passed up multiple opportunities to condemn the President’s racist, anti-veteran and anti-woman comments in the past,” said Terrie Rizzo, Chair of the Florida Democratic Party. “It’d be nice if Governor Scott condemned ALL of Donald Trump’s racist and sexist statements and even better if Scott pushed for policies that create an economy where all of Florida can succeed, not just his billionaire friends and donors.”
Just some of the times, Governor Scott refused to condemn President Trump’s racist, sexist and anti-veteran statements in the past:
TRUMP ATTACKING KHAN FAMILY
SCOTT DID NOT REBUKE TRUMP AFTER HE ATTACKED GOLD STAR MUSLIM-AMERICAN PARENTS
Scott, On Trump Attacking Khan Family, Said His Experience With Trump Was That Believed In Military. “Trump has since suggested that Ghazala Khan was prohibited from speaking by her husband, which many have taken as a slap against both Muslims and Gold Star parents, who have lost a son or daughter in military service. ‘I’m never going to agree with every candidate on everything they’re going to say,’ Scott said, although he stopped far short of condemning Trump’s comments or acknowledging they were out of line. ‘I care about the military. I care about law enforcement. I was blessed to have the opportunity to serve this country,’ said Scott, a Navy veteran. He concluded, ‘My experience with Donald Trump is he believes in our military.’” [Palm Beach Post, 8/3/16]
Scott, On If Trump To Apologize After He Criticized American Muslim Khan Family Whose Son Was Killed In Iraq, Said Talk To Trump, Never Going To Agree With What Every Candidate Says. “Top Florida Republicans are distancing themselves from GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump’s comments about an American Muslim family whose son was killed in Iraq. […] Scott, who served in the U.S. Navy, would not comment directly on Trump’s comments and instead said Tuesday that ‘I’m never going to agree with every candidate on what they are going to say.’ He praised Trump as someone ‘who believes in our military.’ When asked if Trump should apologize, as Scott said: ‘You can talk to Donald Trump. I just can tell you from my standpoint I’m appreciate of everybody that served.’” [Associated Press, 8/2/16]
The Miami Herald Said Scott Did Not Rebuke Trump After Criticizing Khan Family.“Donald Trump drew mild denunciations Tuesday from three of Florida’s highest ranking Republican elected officials for criticizing the family of a slain American soldier. Gov. Rick Scott, however, was not one of them, sparing his favorite presidential candidate any criticism. ‘I’m never going to agree with every candidate on what they’re going to say,’ Scott told reporters after a Cabinet meeting. ‘Listen to Donald Trump. He believes in our military. He wants to build up our military.’” [The Miami Herald, 8/2/16]
TRUMP’S “MEXICAN” JUDGE COMMENTS
SCOTT DID NOT DEFEND NOR CRITICIZE TRUMP’S “MEXICAN” JUDGE COMMENTS
Scott Did Not Defend Nor Criticize Trump’s “Mexican” Judge Comments. “Gov. Rick Scott cancelled a planned meeting with Donald Trump in New York Monday because of Tropical Storm Colin. At the state emergency operations center in Tallahassee, Scott was asked whether Trump’s comments about the ‘Mexican’ judge in a case involving his university reflects racist views. Given a chance to defend Trump, Scott did not — but he didn’t criticize Trump either. ‘I can’t tell you that I would say the same thing that any other candidate says,’ Scott said at a brief session with Capitol reporters to discuss non-storm related issues. ‘I can tell you that what’s important to me is that all candidates do what they can to get their message out.’” [Tampa Bay Times, 6/6/16]
TRUMP SAYING ISLAM HATES AMERICA
SCOTT REFUSED TO CRITICIZE TRUMP’S STATEMENT THAT ISLAM HATES AMERICA
March 2016: Scott Refused To Criticize Trump’s Statement That Islam Hates America.“Gov. Rick Scott, who has decided not to endorse in Florida’s GOP primary, declined Thursday during an MSNBC ‘Morning Joe’ appearance to criticize a statement Republican candidate Donald Trump made about Muslims. ‘You’re a friend of Donald Trump,’ host Joe Scarborough told Scott. ‘Will you tell your friend Donald Trump that he should walk back his statements that Muslims, that Islam hates America? ‘Do you think Muslims in the state of Florida hate America,’ Scarborough asked. Scott didn’t respond directly to the question, opting instead to promote Florida’s diversity. ‘Well as you know in Florida, we’re the best melting pot in the world. We love everybody coming to our state,’ Scott said.” [Naples Daily News, 3/11/16]
Scott Was Not Sure What Trump Meant When He Said Islam Hated America. “The question surfaced after Trump told CNN’s Anderson Cooper Wednesday, ‘I think Islam hates us.’ When asked by Cooper to clarify if he was referring to radical Islam, Trump said yes. […] Later Thursday, in an interview with CNN’s Erin Burnett on Trump’s statement, Scott said, ‘I’m not sure what Donald meant when he said what he said.’ Scott told Burnett that the problem is with ‘radical Islam.’ He said he’s reminded of the 2014 funeral he attended of Miami-born journalist Steven Sotloff, who was kidnapped and beheaded by ISIS militants in Syria.” [Naples Daily News, 3/11/16]
MSNBC’S MORNING JOE BRZEZINSKI CRITICIZED SCOTT’S NON-RESPONSE, CALLED IT “SNIVELING POLITICAL WAVERING,” CUT SEGMENT
MSNBC’s Morning Joe’s Brzezinski Criticized Scott’s Non-Response On Trump Islam Comments, Called It “Sniveling Political Wavering,” Doubted His Endorsement Would Have Any Effect. “Following the interview, Brzezinski blasted Scott’s appearance. ‘That was weak, sniveling political wavering,’ she said. ‘I doubt his endorsement would have any effect anyway.’” [Pensacola News Journal, 3/11/16]
MSNBC’s Morning Joe’s Brzezinski Called For Segment To Be Wrapped After Scott’s Non-Answer On Trump Islam Comments. “Scarborough again asked for Scott’s opinion and if he agreed with Trump. But Scott gave talking points about Florida. The two hosts quickly cut him off, and Scarborough broached the question again: ‘Do you personally think that Islam is a religion that hates America?’ For the third time, Scott dodged, and Brzezinski could be heard off-screen saying: ‘Wrap it.’ She gave a final go, even addressing him by his first name. ‘Can you answer the question, or should we scoot?’” [Tampa Bay Times, 3/11/16]
ACCESS HOLLYWOOD
SCOTT STOPPED SHORT OF CONDEMNING TRUMP FOR ACCESS HOLLYWOOD TAPE
Orlando Sentinel: Scott “Stopped Short Of Condemning” Trump In Wake Of 2005 Women Comments. “Gov. Rick Scott expressed disapproval of lewd comments by Donald Trump that emerged Friday, but stopped short of condemning the Republican presidential hopeful. Scott chairs a super PAC backing the GOP nominee. ‘I think what he said was wrong,’ Scott said while making an appearance at Jacksonville’s Cecil Field to discuss Hurricane Matthew recovery efforts. ‘I don’t know why anybody would say things like that. I think it’s absolutely wrong.’ But when asked if he still supported Trump, Scott turned back to Hurricane Matthew recovery.” [Orlando Sentinel, 10/8/16]
Scott, When Asked About Trump’s 2005 Comments On Women, Did Not Revoke Endorsement. “Gov. Rick Scott expressed disapproval of lewd comments by Donald Trump that emerged Friday, but stopped short of condemning the Republican presidential hopeful. Scott chairs a super PAC backing the GOP nominee. ‘I think what he said was wrong,’ Scott said while making an appearance at Jacksonville’s Cecil Field to discuss Hurricane Matthew recovery efforts. ‘I don’t know why anybody would say things like that. I think it’s absolutely wrong.’ But when asked if he still supported Trump, Scott turned back to Hurricane Matthew recovery.” [Orlando Sentinel, 10/8/16]
CHARLOTTESVILLE
SCOTT ON CHARLOTTESVILLE, SAID “BOTH SIDES” BORE BLAME
Scott On Charlottesville, Said “Both Sides” Bore Blame. “Q: Governor, last question. Part of being an elected representative is being a leader. And Sen. Marco Rubio said he believed white supremacists were 100% to blame for inciting the violence in Charlottesville. President Donald Trump said that he thought that many sides were to blame. Where do you fall on the spectrum between those two GOP leaders? A: I’ve been very clear that what happened in Charlottesville was evil, there was bigotry. I oppose that. I oppose racism. There’s no place in our society for KKR, for white supremacists, neo-Nazis. Um, the what happ– There was no moral high ground on one side. Um, you know, the um, on both sides was – the, what happened to that young lady was horrible. You know, I think about – when these things happen you always think about your family. And I think about the daughter, the young lady is about the same age as one of my daughters. But, I served in the military. My dad fought the Nazis. I’ve met a lot of Holocaust survivors.” [Naples Daily News, 8/22/17]
Scott On Charlottesville, Said “There’s No Moral Authority On Both Sides.” “Q: Governor, a lot of talk about confederate monuments around the country. Here in Fort Myers, we have two dedicated to Robert E. Lee. People are calling for them to be taken down. Do you believe confederate monuments should come down? A: You know, we live in a great country where at the local level, at the state level, at the federal level, you know, we have policy decisions, we make decisions about things like monuments. And so, we have representative government and everybody needs to go through that process and work through that process. As you know, it was horrible what happened in Charlottesville. It was evil. There’s no place in our society for KKR, for neo-Nazis or for white supremacists. There’s no moral authority on both sides. We saw white supremacists accused of killing that young lady. And I have a daughter about the same age as her.” [Naples Daily News, 8/22/17]