Raising money, mobilizing party supporters, denigrating Kamala Harris – Sun Sentinel

Republicans in Florida are absolutely confident of winning in November – but at the same time they are aware of the dangers of overestimating their own abilities.

Party activists, candidates and elected officials who gathered in Hollywood on Saturday for a major Florida Republican Party fundraiser predicted overwhelming victories.

“If anyone thinks we're going to lose, if anyone thinks even remotely that Donald Trump is going to lose Florida, they're crazy,” said U.S. Senator Rick Scott (R-Fla.). “Republican turnout in Florida is incredible across the state. We're going to have a great year.”

Scott, in particular, is hoping that's the case. He faces re-election this year, and some polls have shown him neck and neck. (An Emerson College/The Hill poll on Friday showed Scott at 46% versus 45% for his Democratic challenger, former Congresswoman Debbie Mucarsel-Powell.)

In an attempt to motivate party activists and donors in the final stages of the campaign, one speaker after another brought up a powerful motivator: the prospect of a victory by Vice President Kamala Harris in the presidential election.

The criticism of Harris was at least as great, if not greater, than the praise for the Republican candidate, former President Donald Trump.

“We have the most radical Democratic candidate I've ever seen,” Scott said. “She's a socialist through and through.”

Florida Treasurer Jimmy Patronis expanded on this theme, using a label Trump had attached to Harris: “Comrade Kamala.” In South Florida, home to many people who have fled repressive regimes, Republicans often use the “socialist” label to denigrate Democrats.

The state's attorney general, Ashley Moody, said Harris's candidacy was “making everyone's head spin.”

“I've never seen a candidate run with so much air, smoke and fumes,” she said. “There is no substance. No substance at all.”

Moody said Harris will offer a “word salad,” will “giggle” and “will be who you want her to be, she will say what you want her to say” to win – and to become different and dangerous when she is sworn in as president.