At this point Rick Scott’s modus operandi is pretty straightforward: Use the trappings of the Governor’s office to make an official announcement (on the taxpayer’s dime), while have staff from his campaign stage and film the event, then immediately convert said footage into a digital ad for the re-election campaign.
Wash, rinse, repeat.
Scott was called out just yesterday for blurring the lines between his campaign and his official duties.
According to George Bennett of the Palm Beach Post, Scott‘s official schedule included a 2 p.m. “college affordability roundtable” at a high school in Tampa. Scott’s re-election campaign then out advance notice that Scott would “swing at Charlie Crist on tuition hikes” at the high school. The campaign even offered a “sneak peek” at what the Republican governor would say about his likely Democratic rival.
You can just hear Robin Thicke singing about “blurred lines.”
Fast-forward to today and Scott’s campaign is laying on the schmaltz especially thick with this not very interesting digital ad touting the Governor’s support of cancer research funding.
Just two days ago, Governor Scott’s press office was also touting the Governor’s support of cancer research funding.
The 20 year-old University of Florida student who is in the campaign ad is the kid standing next to Scott during the official announcement.
Cue Pharrell … Talk about getting blasted/I hate these blurred lines … Hey, hey, hey …
It’s obvious Scott has given up any pretense of attempting to wall-off his campaign from his official duties. But should we expect from the governor who has spent thousands of taxpayer dollars sending letters to people who have received or renewed their business or professional regulations.
Florida voters should get used to seeing a new campaign ad every time in the future Rick Scott uses his office to make a pedestrian announcement.