Gov. Rick Scott may be the laughingstock of social media and late night TV after his #Fangate fiasco but he can count on his peeps on The Kelly File to “fan” up for him.
As you may know by now, the contretemps over Crist’s fan that kept Scott (R-FL) from taking the debate stage with Democratic challenger Charles Crist occurred in somewhat murky waters. What is clear, however, is that the intent of the “no electronic devices” rule was to keep candidates from using visual aids and the later addition of “(including fans)” was a jab at Crist, who famously has a thing for fans.
In its review of #fangate, PolitiFact noted that while the rules of the debate outlawed fans, lawyers for Crist tried to get them included by writing in additional language to its signed version of the agreement. PolitiFact concluded,
Did the rules of the debate say there should be no fan? Yes, they did.
…While the Crist campaign repeatedly asked for fans and was told they could have them if needed, the event’s organizers said the night of the debate that a fan wasn’t necessary. The Crist campaign put the fan out anyway.
But whatever the rules, the one thing just about everybody agrees on is that Scott looked petty and foolish making a big deal over the fan. He looked even worse not taking the stage of the debate for seven minutes as Crist stood there and said, “Are we really going to debate about a fan? Or are we going to talk about education, and the environment and the future of our state? I mean, really.”
Furthermore, as Daily Kos pointed out, Scott’s “fantrum” may well have been a failed ploy to portray Crist as a prissy rulebreaker.
But on The Kelly File, host Megyn Kelly and Fox News contributor Mercedes Cowin had Scott’s back.
Kelly and Colwin were paired against Florida attorney Mark Eiglarsh, who argued that regardless of the rules, Scott “looked completely petty, like a toddler.”
After running through the contract controversy, Kelly threw in some bonus points for Scott: “I just want the audience to know that apparently Charlie Crist has real fan issues. Because he brings this little fan with him everywhere.” Her voice rising excitedly, Kelly said Crist “also tried to pull that fan stunt” when he appeared on Fox News. “He has a girl who holds the fan for him during certain interviews, I think we have a picture of it,” Kelly added.
“Exactly!” Colwin said, laughing.
Sure enough, they showed the photo.
Then Kelly set about blaming the debate committee: “Mercedes, the debate committee came out and said Governor Scott was not refusing to join the debate. They were, in fact, waiting on resolution of the rules issue.” (She didn’t point out they were waiting on resolution of a ridiculously trivial issue that the Scott campaign probably trumped up). Kelly said the debate organizers publicly stated regret that they allowed one candidate to take the stage, “meaning the debate people screwed up.”
“Exactly right. That’s what the governor said,” Colwin agreed.
Eiglarsh interrupted. “How does he look now? I ask you, how does he look?”
KELLY: He looks bad because the debate organizers screwed it up.
COLWIN: Exactly.
Kelly asked Eiglarsh, “Why shouldn’t he (Scott) insist that they enforce the rules as written, Mark?”
“Because now people as a result are rightfully questioning his political intuition,” Eiglarsh replied. “He made a big mistake in a heated race. He screwed up, Megyn. You gotta admit it.”
Republican operatives are publicly admitting Scott screwed up. But not Kelly. She closed with a final dig at Crist: “I don’t understand why people are so obsessed with air being blown on them. …You can’t make it through a few-minute segment without extra – I don’t understand why.”
“Don’t think I will ever be able to look at a map of Florida quite the same. With Rick Scott, it is one of the “dicks” of the Union.”
LMAO! Actually Jim, the REAL problem with Florida is when it comes to standing up to big corporations — the REAL MOOCHERS (i.e. “takers”) in America today — Rick Scott simply DOES NOT HAVE ANY B**LS!
;^)
[sorry about that one mods — I just COULD NOT RESIST!]
Y’know, if Fox has legitimate criticisms, that would be one thing. But they make such a big deal out of bullish*t crap – anything to make their side look good and the other side look bad.