Gov. Rick Scott, Charlie Crist campaign in South Florida

Scott hosts pricey luncheon at Biltmore, rally in Coral Springs; Crist visits Overtown residents

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. ā€“ With just 11 days before the election, Gov. Rick Scott and former Gov. Charlie Crist made their rounds across South Florida on Friday, attempting to rev up support for their very close campaigns.

Scott arrived at the Biltmore in Coral Gables for a high-priced luncheon attended by some of his high-profile donors. The price of admission cost as much as $25,000.

So, what does one get for $25,000? The answer is the governor's ear when they have a bill to be amended or a bill to be passed.

The staff at the Biltmore did not let the media inside for the luncheon in an effort to keep the identities of the donors secret.

Scott attended a rally in Coral Springs later in the afternoon.

"Barack Obama's president because people didn't show up to vote for Mitt Romney," Scott told the crowd. "Look, all the polls said Gov. Romney was going to win. What happened? They didn't get out to vote. We can win big if we get everybody out to vote."

Scott was preaching to the choir to the group of die-hard Republican voters.

"Governor, I want to say, you are the people's governor, because you are out here listening to what we have to say," Coral Springs Mayor Vince Boccard said. "You know what our needs are because you are in touch with Floridians."

Scott was supposed to attend a deposition in Tallahassee, answering questions about a lawsuit he filed to keep his private emails confidential.

"That's just a guy that mudslings," Scott said when asked why he didn't attend the deposition. "He just (is) a professional suing state government."

Meanwhile, former Republican-turned-Democrat Crist visited a condo community in Overtown on Friday and got an earful from one resident.

"I ain't paying to be on no damn plantation," said a woman who goes by Mrs. Cookie Clyde.

The woman wanted Crist to help unravel an on-going hurricane insurance issue. Crist promised he would.

Crist spent the day making promises and hop-scotching between Miami-Dade and Broward counties' predominantly black communities. Friday's campaign purpose is to rally support from a voting demographic crucial to his election, though one in which voter turnout has been traditionally low in midterm elections.

And while Republican voters have registered higher turnouts in early voting and absentee balloting so far, Crist is undaunted.Ā 


About the Author:

Glenna Milberg joined Local 10 News in September 1999 to report on South Florida's top stories and community issues. She also serves as co-host on Local 10's public affairs broadcast, "This Week in South Florida."