Beware the new Rick Scott. The photo at right shows Governor Scott in March of 2011 in shirt and tie, the manner in which he presented himself until Steve McNamara, his new Chief of Staff arrived in July. Almost immediately, his press office released a new official photo, instructing the news media to replace the old one. Ham on Wry reminds readers that "looks don't make the man", as the well-known adage cautions.
In both the original and new official photos, Scott is depicted with a smile. However, the casual stance, open shirt collar, and broader smile convey more warmth and approachability--ingredients lacking in the governor's first seven months in office. Has Scott done a 180? Steve McNamara hopes voters will conclude that he has. The irony lies in the fact that Scott campaigned against special interests and insiders, and McNamara is the poster boy for Tallahassee insider.
McNamara has orchestrated several other changes since his arrival. Scott's office has been redecorated, and he no longer refuses to meet with newspaper editorial boards. No changes have occurred on his cuts to education, care for people with special needs, drug testing for welfare recipients, changes to Medicaid, shortening the time for voter registration and early voting, and, most glaringly, destroying environmental protections that had been in place since 1985. He does seem to abide more closely to the "Sunshine Law" that requires open political meetings, but he can't explain away why the majority of his transition e-mails were deleted. Another adage comes to mind in this situation. "Where there's smoke; there's fire." Although his office states the messages were accidentally deleted, Ham on Wry calls foul. How does someone "accidentally" delete hundreds, if not thousands, of messages?
Above, Scott is pictured at his first informal session with the Capitol press corps, August 1, 2011. He sports one of his casual shirts, available in a full array of colors. His newly adopted, friendly approach includes providing doughnuts for the reporters in attendance. Ham on Wry fervently hopes that voters see through these attempts to present Scott in a different light. America has enough media stars already. What Florida needs is a governor who understands the state that he manages and acts according to the needs of his constituents, rather than pandering to business and ultra conservative voters. Altering his form does not change his substance. He made it clear who he was in his first seven months in office. Citizens must remember that at election time.
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