Over 24 hours after Florida Republican gubernatorial candidate Rep. Ron DeSantis made a blatantly racist comment about his African American opponent, Rick Scott has finally weighed in.
In comments to press this afternoon, Rick Scott refused to denounce DeSantis’s words, saying instead — over and over — that he wasn’t very “artful.” No wonder a Rick Scott staffer pulled the ripcord as soon as this question was asked.
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REPORTER: “Are you concerned about the ‘monkeying up’ comments?” SCOTT: “…Uh, the I think he, in a way, [unintelligible] you know, he could have said it more artfully.” REPORTER: “Do you think he shouldn’t have said that though?” SCOTT: “Well, I mean, I don’t think it was very artful…” REPORTER: “Should he apologize?” SCOTT: “…I’ll tell you– it was– you know– I know he didn’t mean any ill will.” |
“There should be nothing difficult about condemning DeSantis’s outright racism. Scott needs to stop repeating his talking points and denounce DeSantis immediately,” said American Bridge spokesperson Amelia Penniman.
Watch Scott fail to denounce Ron DeSantis’s racism over and over again:
Watch the full clip here.
Complete Transcript
Reporter: Are you concerned about the “monkeying up” comments?
Scott: Well first off, I have a good relationship working with Ron DeSantis and Adam Putnam. I served in the Florida capitol with Adam Putnam, and he did a good job he was a hard worker. And Ron DeSantis is the nominee and I support his election. I didn’t see the clip yesterday, I heard about it. Uh, the I think he, in a way, [unintelligible] you know, he could have said it more artfully. I — you know, Ron cares about the state and I know he didn’t mean any ill will. This election, let’s remember what this election’s about. This election’s about the future of the state. Let’s all focus on where we’re going.
Scott Staffer: Last question.
Reporter: Do you think he shouldn’t have said that though?
Scott: Well, I mean, I don’t think it was very artful. He shouldn’t– he– but it– I know he didn’t mean any ill will. So, you know, Ron cares about the state, you know, he could have said it better.
Reporter: Should he apologize?
Scott: That’s a decision he can make. I’ll tell you– it was — you know– I know he didn’t mean any ill will.
Published: Aug 30, 2018