Democrats think Scott is an easy target to beat in 2014

Democrats think Scott is an easy target to beat in 2014

By Roger Caldwell

      One out of three Floridians in the state think Governor Scott is doing a good job. That means over sixty percent of Floridians are upset with the governor or they don’t trust his leadership skills. Without a doubt in the last election our governor made bad decisions, and he embarrassed the state when it took him three days to count the ballots.

But the Democrats should not underestimate the Florida Republican machine. Governor Scott this time around will have a track record and unemployment is at a four year low. “If somebody thinks that Rick Scott won’t have time, energy, and resources to be re-elected, they’re making an error in judgment,” says Susie Wiles, who managed Scott’s 2010 campaign.

Four years ago Scott was a controversial stranger to Florida politics, but now the GOP establishment is willing to unify and get behind the incumbent. Governor Scott is still controversial, and he has learnt that education and jobs should be his primary focus in his 2014 campaign. In 2013, he has given the teachers a $2,500 raise, and more folks will support him because of this effort.

At this point, the Democrats do not have a unanimous statewide choice and the party appears disorganized and divided. In order for the party to win in 2014, the candidate must be able to mobilize and address the critical problems that impact the Black and Hispanic community. There are more Democrats registered in the state than Republicans, but the Democratic candidate must be able to connect with the grassroots folks, with a powerful message.

“Whoever the Democratic nominee is will beat Rick Scott. We will win the governor’s mansion next November. There’s not any question,” says U.S. Rep Debbie Wasserman. But, the Republicans have won the governorship the last 16 years, and I wonder what evidence Rep. Wasserman is using to prove her case. Florida is a red state, and the Republicans have the majority of large corporations in their corner, and they will generate $100 million campaign for the election.

There are 76 weeks left until the election and the Democrats will be forced to build a strong innovative technical ground team, which can generate dollar for dollar with Scott’s campaign, and is extremely excited about beating the incumbent. The Democratic candidate must have charisma, and be an articulate speaker, who Floridians trust. Scott has made many mistakes, and now he has left $51 billion on the federal table, and many Floridians are upset with the governor. Recently the governor vetoed a bill, that would have helped immigrants secure a driver’s license, and now the Hispanics are upset.

Floridians don’t understand the decisions our governor makes, but the Florida economy has improved under his watch. “People have been very supportive and invested in my political committee already, because they believe in what I’m doing, and they know I’ve turned our economy around,” said Scott.

Democrats cannot underestimate our governor, because he is raising millions of dollars right now, and also can invest millions of his own money, if GOP money gets slow. Governor Scott is not an easy target to beat, and the Democratic candidate will be in the fight of his life, which he will probably lose.