Florida governor dismisses dive in polls, says rail decision was the right call

By Keith Laing - 04/08/11 12:53 PM ET

Florida Gov. Rick Scott (R) dismissed the nosedive his poll numbers have taken following a series of controversial decisions, including his rejection of $2.4 billion in federal funding for high-speed rail.

"No one elected me to become most popular," he said Friday, in an online interview with The Wall Street Journal. "They elected me to get the state back to work."

A recent poll by Connecticut-based Quinnipiac University showed that Scott's disapproval ratings had increased from 22 percent in February to 48 percent in April, while his approval ratings remained at 35 percent. Forty-seven percent of those polled said Scott's proposed budget cuts go "too far."
A poll released this week by Canadian polling company Angus Reid Public Opinion showed 49 percent of U.S. residents support high-speed rail, while 26 percent said they oppose the railways.
Scott, however, again made the case in the interview that the numbers behind the Obama administration's push for high-speed rail do not add up.

"I'm going to give you $2.4 billion, but you’ve got to build this project that you know the cost overrun, if you look at history, is probably a billion-plus dollars, and you’ve got to pay for that," Scott said.

"On top of that, the ridership studies — it never works, it's never what they think it is, and so you're responsible for that. And finally, if you decide it just costs you too much money, you want to shut it down, you’ve got to give my $2.4 billion back. You want to do that deal? No," Scott said.
Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood has said 24 other states have applied for Florida's rejected rail money, which he said proves there is "bipartisan enthusiasm" for the railway proposals.

Scott is the third Republican governor to turn down the federal money, joining newly elected leaders in Ohio and Wisconsin. A pair of state lawmakers in Florida, which included one of Scott's fellow Republicans, sued to force him to take the money, but the Florida Supreme Court ruled Scott had the right to reject the Obama administration's offer.

Comments

I guess mandating that federal workers and citizens using federal services take drug tests monthly do not play a part. Especially when he owns testing centers that do drug testing and he profits off of drug testing. Especially when he was supposed to put his business holdings into a blind trust when he assumed office but instead transferred them to his wife. He represents the Republican and the Tea Party perfectly.BY Justaminute on 04/08/2011 at 14:50

Bravo, Gov.Rick Scott, you did the right thing, the people voted you into Office to get Florida's house in order. The Dumbocrats & Unions are trying to undermine every move by Republicans to stop this insane spending, Hats Off to You, Sir…BY Stonewall Jackson on 04/08/2011 at 14:55

floridians - you voted this criminal into office - so now you have what you asked for - so live with it

i'm sure many in the country are wondering why they voted for these idiots in congress as well

americans are voting for irrational persons b/c they are frightened and the phonyrepubs feed that narrative constantly 

BY PhonyRepubs on 04/08/2011 at 14:59

CSX Corp. (CSX) “can’t be part of” President Barack Obama’s rail vision because passenger trains don’t make money and high-speed trains don’t belong on freight tracks, Chief Executive Officer Michael Ward said.

“I’m a corporation. I exist to make money, OK?” Ward said today in an interview at Bloomberg’s New York office. “You can’t make money hauling passengers, so why would I want to do that? That wouldn’t be fair to my shareholders.” CSX is the third-largest major freight railroad in the U.S. by revenue.

If CSX were to advocate for high-speed rail, he said, “it’s then ‘why aren’t you donating part of your infrastructure to that?’ which I can’t do and be true to my obligation to my shareholders.”

High speed passenger trains on freight lines is not practical because “the curvature and the elevation of the freight rail” tracks cannot support trains operating at speeds higher than 90 mph, Ward said. Those trains should run on separate tracks, which may cost “tens of billions, if not hundreds of billions” of dollars to build, he said. BY REALITY CHECK on 04/08/2011 at 15:12

@REALITY CHECK, it is perfectly clear the Obama Administration did not think out their HIGH SPEED RAIL plan (similar to their Libya plan) before pushing it. It is obviously a "boondoggle" since as it stands is makes no sense! The Obama high speed rail plan has put trains that are NOT HIGH SPEED on tracks that are not made for high speed rail and do not make economic sense. 

BY JUST SAYIN on 04/08/2011 at 15:15

Most Florida voters support Gov. Scott - he's doinf exactly what he promised. Damn the liberal polls & media - Scott shuns the media & they don't like it, spoiled brats. Let's hear what Rasmussen says.BY nickatdabeach on 04/08/2011 at 15:16

I am a Florida Republican, but I did not vote for this man. I see him as a criminal over his past actions. I supported Bill McCollum in the primary since he was the competent choice. Unfortunately, the Tea Party didn't like him since he had experience and a pragmatic streak, and they came out in full force for this man. I had to vote Independent in the actual election, since Scott and Sink were both poor choices. Again, thanks Tea Party for ruining the G.O.P. I hope that you are proud of yourselves for acting like spoiled brats!BY Kevin on 04/08/2011 at 15:24

He is a man of principles. Unfortunately the bloodsuckers will seek to destroy him for it.

Regarding JUSTAMINUTE, - I guess it's it's ok for parasitic types to take government money while using illegal drugs? The audacity of the taxpayer to demand that the leeches in society be sober.BY Mike on 04/08/2011 at 15:26

Can you say "bridge to no where"? Can you say "Amtrak in Overdrive"?? If High Speed Rail made economic sense, then the Rail Road Co's would want to be involved. So, until the time HSRail makes economic sense our Federal Deficit prohibits it !!!!!!!!!!!! BY NUFFSAID on 04/08/2011 at 15:26

Yep Florida got another good governor.Great legislature They are doing some wonderful things inThe Sunshine State.Talk about achievers!BY Holyman on 04/08/2011 at 15:32