Get the Popcorn: Rick Scott Won In Florida

Lots of discussion on Daily Kos about Rick Scott (R - Columbia/HCA) winning the GOP nomination for Florida governor. The latest? The GOP loser, Bill McCollum, refuses to endorse Scott because he has doubts about Scott's integrity.

You think? After Columbia/HCA paid a $1.7 billion (yep, with a B) fine for Medicare fraud under Scott's watch, does it puzzle you that the Repubs nominate him for governor of the state with the largest Medicare population in the country?

But wait! There's more!

First, I've got to share this comment thread. One commenter noted that Scott was probably chosen by the party leadership because of his ability to self-fund. Comments about Scott's fortune followed, with this gem in the mix:

Behind every great fortune lies a crime.
I should know. I'm an accountant.

But HERE is the comment that I found the most interesting, and if true, bodes well for political popcorn sales:

And so it begins ...

For those of you who don't live here, you should know this: the FLGOP is going to make a lesson of Scott. They will still hold the legislature and Sink isn't the "worst" democrat they could have.

Mark my words: little by little details about Scotts unscupulessness will "come out" and if they really decide to nail his coffin it'll be serious enough to warrant a federal investigation (coincidentally). The national Dem party may actually have some stakes in the lesson.

Alex Sink will the next FL governor and Scott will not be a Florida resident by the end of 2011.

Mark it down.

When asked further about it, the same commenter said:

The day after the election there were "questions" about some sealed settlements made by Scott's firm. ...

Yes. There will be more.

I had to comment about Louisville's experience with Scott, and concluded with a quote from John Ed Pearce (rest in peace, John Ed), one of my favorite editorial writers. He wrote a guest editorial when Columbia up and moved to Nashville, and he concluded with this admonition to Nashvillians excited about their latest arrival:

And lo the scribe warned the worshipers: 'Be not hasty to crown Slick Rick your king. For his heart is on business and is hardened toward civic duties and such. He loves not your city but what he can get from it.'

Pretty much says it all about Rick Scott. I'm hoping we see a Dem in the governor's mansion in the Sunshine State.