Bill Nelson Foolishly Reminds Voters How Rick Scott Handles Hurricanes

*Gov. Rick Scott (R-FL) visits the Western Wall in Israel. Photo by Gov. Scott’s office.*

Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL) is facing his toughest re-election challenge in over a decade as he prepares to face Gov. Rick Scott (R-FL) this November, and the stress is causing his campaign to make desperate moves. In the latest misstep, Nelson’s campaign sent out an email that attempted to attack Scott but only served to highlight one of his main strengths.

Scott was in Israel yesterday along with other U.S. officials as the American embassy was dedicated at its new location in Jerusalem, and posted several tweets from his visit.

Today, I visited the Western Wall as our country moves the U.S. Embassy to its rightful home in Israel’s capital city, Jerusalem. FL stands with Israel today and for generations to come. pic.twitter.com/Li8Dg9JlIx

— Rick Scott (@SenRickScott) May 14, 2018

What an honor it was to be in Jerusalem for the historic opening of the U.S. Embassy. It is more important than ever for FL and the U.S. to partner with Israel and celebrate this momentous occasion together. pic.twitter.com/EkvpyqvsUc

— Rick Scott (@SenRickScott) May 14, 2018

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu singled out Scott for special recognition among the American elected representatives.

I met with Florida Gov. Rick Scott, a Senatorial delegation led by Lindsey Graham, and a Congressional delegation led by Joe Wilson.

Today is an historic day that constitutes a milestone in the history of our people, our state, and our alliance. 🇮🇱🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/uGLfYHf2PN

— Benjamin Netanyahu (@netanyahu) May 14, 2018

Nelson chose to respond to this by accusing Scott of neglecting Florida, pointing to a potential tropical storm that is developing in the Gulf of Mexico.

“Rick Scott is in Israel instead of minding the store at home,” Nelson said in a campaign email, according to the Sun Sentinel.

“With a threat swirling in the Gulf, Rick Scott is using taxpayer dollars to promote his campaign, proving once again, he has abandoned his job as governor,” continued the email. “Per usual, Rick Scott is putting himself and his political career over the interests and safety of Floridians.”

According to the National Hurricane Center, this particular system has only a 30 percent chance of developing into a tropical depression in the next five days. Scott would be back home in Florida well before then.

The suggestion that Scott was “abandoning” or “neglecting” Florida is, of course, laughable. Nelson’s been in elected office since 1972, so he may have missed a few technological advances, but thanks to exciting inventions known as “The Internet” and “The Telephone,” Scott has the ability to stay up-to-date on weather developments from anywhere around the globe.

And he did just that, posting a series of tweets over the past few days with updates from the NHC and Florida’s State Emergency Response Team.

The State of Florida is continuously monitoring this system and working with the @NWSNHC to track its development. We’ll continue to release updates as we learn more https://t.co/RgKrS2T5B6

— Rick Scott (@SenRickScott) May 14, 2018

I just spoke with @FLSERT Director Wes Maul about the potential severe weather in the coming days. I encourage all Floridians to take the proper steps to prepare so that you and your family can stay safe. https://t.co/6ylMI1HhYf https://t.co/dI0MLFBkn3

— Rick Scott (@SenRickScott) May 14, 2018

As severe weather moves through Florida this week, families should act now and get a plan to stay safe. Stay tuned to local weather alerts and news and follow @FLSERT and your local @NWS twitter account. Don't wait, visit https://t.co/WQQSVBALm5 and build your plan today.

— Rick Scott (@SenRickScott) May 15, 2018

Scott’s office also issued a statement yesterday afternoon that the Florida Division of Emergency Management had briefed Scott on the latest developments, and that the governor had directed FDEM “to be in constant communication with counties regarding the weather system.”

“In Florida, we know how to prepare for storms, and even though hurricane season hasn’t begun, we should never let our guard down,” said Scott. “It’s encouraging to know that the National Hurricane Center doesn’t expect this system to become a tropical storm, but we should never underestimate the potential impact of severe weather.”

“We know how to prepare for storms,” indeed.

Scott won accolades for his handling of the last year’s hurricanes — from even Democrats and a skeptical Florida political press.

For years, former Gov. Jeb Bush (R-FL) has been viewed as the gold standard for handling hurricanes, after expertly navigating the state through four major hurricanes in 2004 — including some that made multiple landfalls in Florida — followed by additional serious hurricanes in 2005, and many wondered if Scott would be able to meet that test. By all objective measures, he did.

Throughout the preparation for Hurricane Irma, during the storm, and its aftermath, Scott was a constant and reassuring presence on Florida television channels, in his Navy cap and button down shirt, surrounded by state and local officials providing updates and instructions that unquestionably reduced the loss of life. His office has also been actively seeking to assist Puerto Ricans affected by Hurricane Maria, especially those who have relocated, temporarily or more permanently, to the Sunshine State.

In fact, a poll taken last October showed very high marks for Scott regarding his Hurricane Irma leadership. Out of 625 registered voters selected statewide, 35 percent rated his performance as “excellent,” 31 percent as “good,” 25 percent as “fair,” only 4 percent said “poor,” and 5 percent were not sure.

Scott received an excellent or good rating from 89 percent of Republicans, 62 percent of Independents, and even 49 percent of Democrats. The margin of error for the poll was +/- 4 points, so even the Democrats’ numbers are likely to be in the positive range.

Nelson’s awkward attack on Scott only serves to remind Floridians of that image of their governor in his Navy cap, competently handling a potentially catastrophic storm.

Perhaps for Nelson’s next email, he could complain about job creation?

Proud to announce FL has created over ONE AND A HALF MILLION JOBS since I took office. FL's turnaround should serve as a blueprint for the nation. When taxes are cut & investments are made in what matters most to families, businesses grow & create jobs https://t.co/4g4GlWmvhG pic.twitter.com/6PyZOjMKJ0

— Rick Scott (@SenRickScott) April 20, 2018

Follow Sarah Rumpf on Twitter: @rumpfshaker.

[Cross-posted at The Capitolist.]