In spite of Rick Scott finally accepting Medicaid expansion in Florida, the Republican legislature has threatened not to implement it. If they don't, it may or may not matter as far as Scott's credibility with the Tea Party is concerned, but as of yesterday, it didn't look like they'll be so forgiving.
Today, State House Speaker Will Weatherford, R-Wesley Chapel, said this to the National Review Online:
“Without the legislature passing the exchange and expanding, we don’t expand. It’s completely incumbent on the legislature.”
Also, word comes today that Weatherford will now be a featured speaker at CPAC 2013:
State House Speaker Will Weatherford, R-Wesley Chapel, has been recognized by the American Conservative Union as one of nine young “rising elected leaders” nationwide who will have speaking slots at the Conservative Political Action Conference in March.]
[Weatherford was chosen along with eight other state legislators from around the nation who will appear at the same podium as top speakers including former Gov. Jeb Bush and Sen. Marco Rubio at the Washington event.
Mitt Romney will end his post-election withdrawal from the public spotlight with a speaking spot.
Other speakers will include some of the most controversial figures from conservative politics—Sarah Palin, Newt Gingrich, NRA President Wayne LaPierre, and former U.S. Rep. Allen West of Florida.
But who's not on the speaker's list this year?
Rick Scott.
I guess he's no longer crazy enough for prime time.
Now he may no longer be far enough to the right to avoid a Republican-Tea Party challenge in the 2014 election, something that no one was saying just weeks ago.
How times change when one is actually "forced" to do the right thing.
Yesterday after his Medicaid press conference, others were scrambling on Twitter to voice their opinions and possibly shore up Tea Party cred besides Weatherford.
Pam Bondi said this:
Concerned about consequences of greater fed control over healthcare, a major expansion of govt. At least FL lawsuit gave each state a choice.
Adam Putnam said this:
It’s extremely disappointing to learn that Florida may take on billions in additional costs to taxpayers by expanding Medicaid coverage.
The expansion of Medicaid in FL does not create jobs or strengthen our infrastructure. And it will cost Florida $5B over the next 10 years.
Both have been mentioned in the past as possible candidates "if" anyone were to challenge Scott, and now Weatherford is a new "rising star" in the conservative clown car?
My, my. Something tells me this could get ugly....
