Rick Scott’s far-right 'Rescue Plan' has 'energized' Democratic fundraising: report

Sen. Rick Scott of Florida went full MAGA culture warrior when, on February 22, he released an 11-point “Rescue America” blueprint of far-right talking points he recommends for Republican candidates in the 2022 midterms. The blueprint, full of inflammatory rhetoric, was obviously designed to fire up the GOP’s MAGA base. But according to Business Insider reporters Warren Rojas, Nicole Gaudiano and Kimberly Leonard, Scott’s blueprint has had an unintended consequence: “energizing” Democratic fundraising.

“The Trumpian midterm reelection plan Republican Sen. Rick Scott had hoped would electrify colleagues has instead reenergized Democrats in both chambers, sparking nationwide campaign ads, fundraising appeals, and fresh lines of attack against GOP lawmakers on the ballot this fall,” the journalists explain. “The 11-point strategy, which Scott developed on his own and unveiled February 22, takes conservative-fueled culture wars and MAGA priorities to another level — prompting fellow Republicans to characterize it as ‘polarizing’ and ‘silly.’ In addition to imposing new taxes on low- and middle-income earners currently exempt from federal collections, Scott declares war on national mask mandates, local school boards, and race relations in general.”

Scott chairs the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC), and Business Insider’s reporters note that Democratic strategists, leaders and activists have been using his “Rescue America” blueprint to attack Republicans who are competing in U.S. Senate races in 2022. One of those Democrats is Sen. Gary Peters of Michigan, who chairs the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) and has been associating Sen. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin and others with Scott’s recommended talking points.

David Bergstein, a DSCC spokesman, wrote, “We're making sure voters know the facts about Senate Republicans' agenda: a tax hike on millions of seniors and over half of all Americans. At every opportunity, Republicans are pushing the interests of the ultra-wealthy and big corporations that get rich by spiking costs — all while working families pay the price.”

Scott has denied that he wants to raise taxes on millions of Americans. But in his “11-Point Plan to Rescue Plan,” the NRSC chairman and former Florida governor writes, “All Americans should pay some income tax to have skin in the game, even if a small amount. Currently, over half of Americans pay no income tax.”

Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts has been referencing Scott’s “Rescue Plan” in her fundraising pitches, saying, “Republicans want to raise taxes on half the country — working class and middle-class families, along with seniors on Social Security…. If Republicans win back the Senate in November, they’d rig the rules even further in favor of the wealthy and well-connected.”

Meanwhile, Rep. Val Demings, who is seeking the Democratic nomination in Florida’s 2022 U.S. Senate race, is using Scott’s “Rescue Plan” to slam Sen. Marco Rubio. Demings’ ad urges voters to “say no to the Rubio-Scott tax hike”:

Marco Rubio is Running From Floridayoutu.be

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has pounced on Scott’s “Rescue Plan” as well, citing a Tax Policy Center analysis showing that under Scott’s plan, “80% of the tax increase would be paid by households making about $54,000 or less, and 97% would be paid by those making less than about $100,000.”

Pelosi’s office wrote, “While Republicans plan to squeeze hard-working Americans with higher taxes, Democrats are moving legislation to lower everyday prices and cut taxes for middle class families — paid for by making big corporations and the wealthiest pay their fair share.”