Donald Trump’s shadow looms over Rick Scott in Meet the Press interview – Florida Politics

U.S. Sen.Rick Scottleft the Fox News Channel bubble Sunday, appearing on Meet the Press after a good week of electoral results for Republicans in Virginia and New Jersey.

However, interviewerChuck Todd focused much of the interview on former PresidentDonald Trump, including how Trump endorsements complicate Scotts efforts with the National Republican Senatorial Committee in 2022. Scott also was compelled to say that Biden in fact was the legitimately elected President of the United States, a position that does not square with that of Trump, who continues to contend the election was somehow stolen.

Todd noted that Republicans over-performed electorally in the gubernatorial races in Virginia, where Glenn Youngkin won, and in New Jersey, whereJack Ciattarellicame close to winning. Both candidates kept Trump at arms length.

Asked about that, Scott deflected, suggesting there is a path for candidates to win without embracing Trump.

We would love Donald Trumps endorsement. If youre a Republican, you want his endorsement. But youre going to win on the issues, Scott said.

The Democratic obsession with Donald Trump is going to be good for Republicans next year, Scott predicted.

That didnt close the line of questioning, however.

Asked about Trump playing in Senate races, endorsing primary candidates such asHerschel Walker in Georgia, Scott said that Republicans ought to let the voters decide and that the issues mattered most.

Youd be foolish not to want and accept Donald Trumps endorsement, Scott added, but youre going to win not just because somebody endorses you.

Pressed on the question of AlaskasLisa Murkowski, who Trump opposes this cycle, Scott said that the NRSC does indeed back her, including financially in the Primary.

Absolutely. We support all of our incumbents, Scott said.

Ultimately though, the balancing act Scott faces between running an operation to take back the Senate and placating the former President and his base was illustrated most clearly when Scott was confronted with NBC polling that said just 22% of Republicans believe President Joe Biden was legitimately elected.

I can tell you Joe Biden is the President. We went through the Constitutional process, that, you know. He was elected, said Scott, who was among the Senators who questioned the certification and legitimacy of one or more states electors last January.

I do believe a lot of people have buyers remorse, Scott offered.

He continued to dance around the question of why people believe the election wasnt legitimate: I think youd have to ask them. But I think Joe Biden was elected President.

You can go and ask all these questions about why people think the way they do, Scott added, when confronted with a Trump quote from last month that Election Day 2020 was the real insurrection and that Jan. 6 was a mere Protest.

Scott was similarly opaque when asked why Trump has yet to concede the election.

I think youd have to ask President Trump, he offered, before again noting that Biden is a duly elected President and the Constitution was followed.

I hope Democrats focus all the time on Trump, Scott said, toward the segments close. Im focused on how we win in 2022 and I know how exactly to win. Do what I did in my three races and focus on issues.

Scott gave Trump an award months back, one invented by the NRSC to honor the former President. But in an ironic twist, its Trump that keeps presenting Scott with headaches, as this segment kept coming back to the former President.

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Donald Trump's shadow looms over Rick Scott in Meet the Press interview - Florida Politics