Amid certification controversy, Rick Scott puts on brave face in NRSC donor pitch

Sen. Rick Scott. Image via NRSC.

Turning the page on the Donald Trump era, U.S. Sen. Rick Scott conveyed an aspirational upbeat positivity in a new video introducing himself as chairman of the Senate campaign wing.

The video’s release came on a day when rumblings that Scott may not be effective as head of the National Republican Senatorial committee because of his decision to stand with a few bitter-enders in the Senate and oppose full certification of Joe Biden‘s win last November,

New York Times reporter Maggie Haberman reports of “very real concern” among those involved in Senate campaigns that Scott is toxic because he bucked a strong bipartisan consensus and gave the insurgents what they wanted. Liberal pressure groups likewise have called for Scott to step down.

A spokesperson told Florida Politics, in response to that question, that “Democrat groups in Washington are scared of Rick Scott taking over the NRSC.” And the video gives a sense of the Rick Scott who will be leading that national effort.

The imperatively-titled “We must win” runs just a little over two minutes, and sees an upbeat Scott in his familiar NAVY cap, focused on the future rather than the exiting administration.

“I’ve just now taken over as the chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee. The fact that my fellow Senators chose me to be the NRSC Chair proves one thing for sure. They obviously don’t like me much, because I now have to figure out how to raise roughly a gazillion dollars,” the first-term Republican quipped.

“Believe it or not, I’m really excited about this opportunity,” the Senator added soon after that.

Scott gave a familiar-to-Floridians recitation of his upbringing, before describing his decision to run as “pretty nutty.”

“Ten years ago,” Scott related, “I did something pretty nutty. I announced I was running for Governor of Florida. Since then I’ve won four statewide elections.”

“All the races were close. And in the process, I’ve raised a lot of money and spent a fortune of my own,” Scott said. “I can say this with confidence. I will never ask a potential donor to contribute more than I already have given.”

“I run a tight ship. I respect our donors. And there are two things I don’t do. I don’t waste money and I don’t lose elections,” Scott said.

The video seemingly reassuring donors that the chair was not a liability comes the same day the Senator offered ameliorating words during a cable news hit.

Scott asserted a need to “lower the rhetoric” and “get some unity going” while arguing against impeachment after Trump incited his supporters to siege the U.S. Capitol. Those comments were made on the Fox News Channel.

All of this, Scott contends, will lead to a desired result.

“We’re going to have big wins in 2022. I think we’re going to shock people,” Scott told Fox News host Laura Ingraham Monday.

In a press release accompanying the video, Scott offered a statement of purpose.

“Over the next two years, my focus will be on drawing a clear contrast between a Republican Party that fights for good jobs and protects the values that make our country great and a Democrat Party that wants government at the center of our lives, that flirts with Socialism and that undermines our fundamental values. If we fail to become THE party that is trusted to lead America into the future, Democrats will lead America into the past. We have to win back the Senate Majority and we will. We don’t have another option,” Scott said.

“I want to thank Todd Young for the great work he’s done over the last two years. Under his leadership, the NRSC broke fundraising records and has built a strong foundation that will help Senate Republicans be competitive all over the country. I look forward to working with Leader McConnell and all of our incumbents while recruiting strong challengers across the country.  Our Party is unified and united. We are focused on the future and we will win.”