Joe Henderson: Does Rick Scott’s Venezuela rhetoric get President Trump’s attention?

Told you so: Rick Scott was correct on high-speed rail after California project — with major cost overruns — fell through.

U.S. Sen. Rick Scott recently suggested the United States use military muscle if necessary to remove dictator Nicolas Maduro from power in Venezuela. He also said the U.S. should consider  a naval blockade to keep Venezuelan oil from reaching Cuba.

Scott hasn’t been in Washington for long, but he already sounds like one of the chief military hawks.

Normally that wouldn’t draw much attention, but nothing these days is normal.

But we have an unpredictable President who tends to follow the last advice he receives. Scott’s willingness to insert himself into this crisis is potentially dangerous. Oh, and Russia supports Maduro and Cuba in this explosive global chess game.

Maybe, though, Scott is playing a chess game of his own.

The Daily Beast detailed how this all ties to Scott’s animosity toward Florida U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz (and vice versa).

Both men are staunch supporters of President Donald Trump, and both are Republican. That basically ends what they have in common.

For instance, Gaetz took a more measured approach to U.S. involvement in this situation. He said moves like Scott suggested could actually strengthen Maduro’s standing in Venezuela.

“I trust and hope that the Trump Administration will continue to skillfully advance the cause of freedom in Latin America and throughout the world,” Gaetz said.

Interesting choice of words there: skillfully.

The Daily Beast noted this all could be “jostling to be Trump’s favorite Florida man.”

Their feud carries personal family history.

Gaetz’s father, Don Gaetz, was President of the Florida Senate for a time while Scott was Governor. He didn’t always follow the Governor’s wishes, so Scott maneuvered to sink the senior Gaetz’s chances in 2016 of being named President at the University of West Florida.

Matt Gaetz also sent an ill-fated tweet interpreted as a threat against former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen. Scott seized the moment, calling that tweet “embarrassing.”

That’s not all. The Florida Bar is investigating if Gaetz’s tweet crossed the line. Imagine what Scott could do with that.

It’s a given this could be a major distraction for Gaetz. It also could allow Scott to ease into favored status with the President. And if Rick Scott sticks to his hard-line position on Venezuela and Cuba, well, who knows how that might end?

As someone once said, the game’s afoot.

It’s a dangerous game.