Humble Pie

Image via WikipediaToday is September 13th, nearly 3 weeks after the GOP primary former candidate for Governor and current Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum has not endorsed Rick Scott, as is the normal custom in politics. I read this today: "Reached after an event at the Capitol today, Attorney General Bill McCollum was still mum on whether he will endorse anyone in the governor's race: "There's no update." McCollum, who lost an expensive (and bitter) primary battle with Rick Scott, also would not comment on who he plans to vote for. He said he is focused on getting Pam Bondi elected as the next attorney general and on tomorrow's initial arguments in the lawsuit challenging the new federal health care law."This was posted by Lee Logan on tampabay.com at 11:56:55 AM today September 13, 2010
I have met Bill McCollum more than once and asked him questions about his policies directly. I sat in on a campaign meeting of theirs and I really think they underestimated Rick Scott early on. Scott captured that anti-incumbent sentiment and in my opinion there wasn't much Bill could do about that, especially with a lot less money on hand than Rick. He was a member of the US Congress, a legislative body with an approval rating of roughly 20% these days. The ads tying the General to Charlie Crist's friend, former disgraced RPOF Chairman Jim Greer could have been what pushed Rick over the top. I can see why Bill is still bitter. It was a negative race, no question.
Sometimes in life when events seen as "bad" happen, such as losing an election, making difficult financial choices or ending a relationship, you have to accept things as they are, not how you wish them to be, and move on. Rick Scott won. It is what it is. Bill just needs to do the right thing and support the party nominee, then retire from politics with grace. I'll give the General this, at least he didn't switch parties and run as an Independent candidate for Governor.