Chan Lowe: Welcome, Governor-elect Rick Scott
The election’s over, and Rick Scott bought it fair and square. The people have spoken, and now it’s time for the people to find out whom they voted for.
Gradually, and in the fullness of time, Governor-elect Scott’s actions will reveal insights into his true nature. So far, he has done a pretty good job of veiling his character, but from now on, he will be under a microscope.
He has told us that as chief executive of Columbia/HCA, he knew nothing of the practices of the company he headed that culminated in its paying one of the largest fines ever for defrauding Medicare. As I’ve said before, he’s either rewriting history or he was an incredibly incompetent chief executive…take your pick. Whichever you believe, it’s not exactly a ringing endorsement for running a sprawling organism like state government.
But the citizens of Florida have shown they don’t need ringing endorsements. They just want change. Rick Scott has promised to shake up government, although in his recent press conference announcing his transition team, some of the same tired old insider names cropped up.
Maybe this is an admission by Mr. I Did It My Way that you can’t get anything done in Tallahassee without insiders on your team. During the campaign, he reminded us that he was the only candidate who didn’t owe anybody anything. That doesn’t go a long way in a state government where business is conducted through deals and favors.
If you want to put a positive gloss on it, it’s reassuring that Scott is sufficiently aware of his limitations that he’s willing to rely on people who have some experience.
Could be he’s a quick study, or maybe he plans to delegate authority. We don’t know for sure. Frankly, when it comes to Rick Scott, we don’t know anything for sure.
CHAN LOWE has been the Sun Sentinel’s first and only editorial cartoonist for the past twenty-six years. Before that, he worked as cartoonist and writer for the Oklahoma City Times and the Shawnee (OK) News-Star.
Comments
I love the backlash against conservatives spending their own money (even when Scott will be working for free)...but NOTHING is said about the money Democrats get from unions.
Posted by: Truth Speaker | November 4, 2010 6:47 PM
Its disappointing when the obvious is overlooked and folks with a backround like Scott's get elected.
People with brains should boycott the vote. That would send a bigger message than a 100 million dollar "grassroots" campaign
Posted by: A1ACharles | November 5, 2010 6:24 AM
Alex Sink did and said the exact same thing.
Posted by: Dave E | November 5, 2010 1:08 PM
Sorry Chan, but this is pure left wing sour grapes!
Posted by: Bob Privitere | November 6, 2010 6:00 AM
Sorry, Bob, you voted a criminal or an idiot into office. Whichever one is worse, it's still what you did. It's not sour grapes, simply a statement of fact.
Posted by: CL Jahn | November 7, 2010 6:30 PM