A.G. Gancarski
Sen. Bill Nelson is in for the fight of his political career against Gov. Rick Scott in November, but Scott for Florida isn’t his only concern.
On CNN Tuesday afternoon, the third-term Democrat expressed worries of Russian hacking playing a factor.
“It was a year and a half ago that unanimous report of the American intelligence community, that Russia interfered in the election,” Nelson said. “They are in the election records of 21 states, including my state.”
“And I have to worry in my election upcoming. Now I not only have to be concerned about my opponent,” Nelson added, “I have to be concerned about the Russians trying to influence the election against me.”
Later in the interview, Nelson joined what is now a chorus of Democrats suggesting that Moscow has something incriminating on President Donald Trump.
Nelson wondered “whatever it is that Putin has hanging over the head of Donald Trump.”
“Why does Donald Trump continue to defer, to curtsy, to bow, and will never say an unkind word toward Vladimir Putin? What is it going on with the U.S. President that he believes Putin instead of our own U.S. intelligence community?”
Gov. Scott has struggled to distance himself from the President in the wake of Trump’s kowtow to the Kremlin on Monday, preemptively asserting in Jacksonville that the Russians meddled in Florida elections.
“Putin is not our friend. Putin is not our ally. I don’t trust Putin. It clearly appears that Russia tried to meddle in our election,” Scott said.
“That’s why I’ve added more counter-terrorism experts at Secretary of State. Why I’ve made sure the federal money that came down, that could go to our Supervisors of Elections, got out as quickly as we can,” Scott said.
In response to that, Nelson noted Scott couldn’t name Trump, thus demonstrating political cowardice.
“Rick Scott has refused to stand up to his pal, Donald Trump – now on an issue that puts our national security at risk. Floridians need a senator who will stand up to Trump, especially when our democracy is under attack, and Rick Scott’s refusal is just another reminder that he’s only looking out for himself,” Nelson asserted.
