Former Lt. Gov. Jennifer Carroll rips Gov. Rick Scott, others in new book

[mfcorey1]

TALLAHASSEE — In a new book about her two years as Florida's lieutenant governor, Jennifer Carroll paints a grim picture: ignored by Gov. Rick Scott, belittled by his back-biting staff and forced to resign from office for no reason.


When You Get There hits bookstores and Amazon next week for $14.99 and is the third book by a Florida politician this year, joining first-person tales by former Gov. Charlie Crist and ex-Republican Party chairman Jim Greer.

Carroll, a retired U.S. Navy lieutenant commander and former state representative, was the first black woman lieutenant governor of Florida. She said she wrote the 173-page book to inspire others to overcome adversity and to believe in the power of family, friends and prayer.

Carroll writes that Scott showed no interest in reaching out to black and Hispanic voters in 2010, so she did over his campaign's objections. During Scott's inaugural celebration, she writes, "I was treated like an unwanted stepchild." And when she wanted to talk to the governor, she said, she was told to ask for an appointment with his scheduler.

As a candidate and upon taking office, Scott raved about Carroll. But their relationship soon soured and Scott's top aides forced her to resign on March 12, 2013, after law enforcement agents interrogated Carroll about past public relations work for Allied Veterans of the World, a group linked to Internet cafes that were closed after investigators uncovered widespread fraud.

Carroll was not charged with wrongdoing and writes of her feelings of humiliation when Scott's aides "ambushed" her with a terse resignation letter they forced her to sign. "I felt betrayed," she writes.

http://www.tampabay.com/news/politics/stateroundup/former-lt-gov-jennifer-carroll-rips-gov-rick-scott-others-in-new-book/2194683

[HooptieWagon]

1. Fl Lt Gov has no constitutionally defined job or power...

... other than assuming the Gov's office if death or incapacitation necessitates. Some Govs find a meaningful role for Lt Gov, for others they're a stage prop. In Carroll's case, the latter. That was foreseeable, given the Gov and his staff's hostility to women and minorities. If Carroll didn't see it coming, she was stupid. My guess is it was a calculated risk to boost her political exposure, and it back-fired.

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

2. And I can give you a couple reasons why the GOP picked her

Too bad she didn't pick up on it.

[HooptieWagon]

3. THE couple of reasons.

Like I said, she was a stage prop, no matter what abilities she may have.