Tony Bennett’s Florida Bid Pits Bush Versus Scott
Just off his defeat at the ballot box in a red state, Tony Bennett waited until the last second to throw his hat in the ring for Florida’s education commissioner post. Why it took so long is anyone’s guess and I won’t be speculating on that here. But Bennett’s entry into the picture will be a showdown between current governor Rick Scott and former governor Jeb Bush. Lets explore why.
Rick Scott completely bought into the school reform model that Bush and others were selling when he became governor. He walked the talk and showed Waiting for Superman to legislators during his transition. Controversial reform icon Michelle Rhee co-chaired his education transition team with Bush top operative Patricia Levesque. Three top charter school executives joined them in crafting a legislative plan that likely gave Bush a Chris Mathews thrill up his leg. But the Rick Scott who took office in January 2011 is not the Rick Scott who’s traveled Bush Way as governor for two years.
For starters, he’s been embarrassed a number of times. He signed the Rhee inspired SB736 at the Jacksonville
Rick Scott completely bought into the school reform model that Bush and others were selling when he became governor. He walked the talk and showed Waiting for Superman to legislators during his transition. Controversial reform icon Michelle Rhee co-chaired his education transition team with Bush top operative Patricia Levesque. Three top charter school executives joined them in crafting a legislative plan that likely gave Bush a Chris Mathews thrill up his leg. But the Rick Scott who took office in January 2011 is not the Rick Scott who’s traveled Bush Way as governor for two years.
For starters, he’s been embarrassed a number of times. He signed the Rhee inspired SB736 at the Jacksonville