Sink’s banking record spotlighted as Scott takes off gloves in Florida governor race

Reporters for select media might give Democrats a pass, but GOP gubernatorial candidate Rick Scott won’t. The Scott campaign advised media a new ad would be released on Tuesday. The announcement disclosed: “A new ad debuting tomorrow highlights Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink's empty claims to never have been associated with a ‘whiff of scandal’ in light of revelations about fines for ‘deceptive sales practices’ and a $30 million settlement with NationsBank customers over fraud.” 

In light of what may be deliberate avoidance by media, Scott’s campaign ads are warranted. After all, the Sink campaign and Democrat organizations aren't holding anything back.

Sink, on the other hand, likes to talk about her experience “in business” without elaborating on what that experience comprised.

Sink had a long career in banking, The Florida Times-Union pointed that out on Monday (finally): “According to her official campaign biography, Sink oversaw 9,000 employees at 800 branches in her role as president of Florida operations, a job she held from 1993-2000.”

Spelling that out—as America galloped towards financial chaos courtesy (in part) of large banks taking major risks, Sink was at her desk in her office in a bank that was a major player.

Scott’s press announcement noted the investigations—some reported shortly after Sink left banking, “In addition to the class action suit, an investigation by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Tampa led Bank of America Corp. last month to agree to return an additional $11.5 million to investors and pay a civil fine of $6.75 million to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.” (Ostrowski, Jeff “NationsBank Fund Investors To Recoup Losses,” Palm Beach Post, 01/05/01)

Aside from the banking fiasco, on Sink’s watch and that of Gov. Charlie Crist, Florida has not done well at all. The state is facing unique federal mandates from the Environmental Protection Agency—rigid water standards that no other state will face. And that will help drive up utility costs and help drive down business. Many Floridians have already seen their utility rates skyrocket. On top of that, many Floridians are paying higher property taxes and municipal fees.

Sink has had a political honeymoon so far, with most media taking only a scant look at her banking background. I recall a story in a major daily before the primaries—the reporter jumped into the Republican candidate fray with gusto, pointing out the bloody attacks between candidates. What did the reporter tell us about Sink? She visited Jacksonville and enjoyed hand tossing a pizza crust.

Will media actually investigate a Democrat candidate’s background with the same tenacity applied to Republican backgrounds? Maybe not, but the new Scott ad certainly gives an idea Sink’s background wasn’t the idyllic state of affairs her campaign has portrayed.

According to Real Clear Politics, based on averaging numerous polls, Scott has a current lead of 3.8 over Sink. (Analysis by Kay B. Day/Oct. 5, 2010)