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Ledyard King, USA Today Network 6:10 p.m. CT Feb. 25, 2017

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U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz greets constituents on his way into an Open Gaetz Day event at Grover T's BBQ in Milton, Florida on Thursday, February 23, 2017.(Photo: Gregg Pachkowski/gregg@pnj.com)Buy Photo

WASHINGTON - The anger spilling out of town halls across Florida and other protests against GOP members of Congress might give Democrats hope that they can marshal that unrest into success at the ballot box in 2018.

Until you consider this:

Six of the 16 Republicans in Floridas 27-member Florida congressional delegation hail from districts where the last two GOP presidential nominees Mitt Romney and Donald Trump) won by an average of at least 20 percentage points: Matt Gaetz, Neal Dunn, John Rutherford, Daniel Webster, Tom Rooney, and Francis Rooney.

Four represent districts where the average GOP margin was between 10 and 20 percentage points: Ted Yoho, Ron DeSantis, Bill Posey, and Gus Bilirakis.

Four are in districts where the average GOP margin is between five and 10 percentage points: Dennis Ross, Vern Buchanan, Brian Mast, and Mario Diaz-Balart.

That leaves two who won districts captured by Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton in the last two presidential elections: Carlos Curbelo and Iliena Ros-Lehtinen. The bad news for Democrats is both moderates found a way to win re-election by outperforming the top of the ticket.

Linda Fogg, a life-long Republican from Sumter County who opposes Trump, helped mobilize dissenters packing Websters town halls last week. Because Websters district is so red, Fogg said it will require GOP voters like her to pressure him and other GOP lawmakers to stand up to Trump or face their own demise.

The only ones who are going to be able to turn this around are the Republicans, she said. We have to do this. Its not going to happen on the other side.

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Dont be surprised if GOP Sen. Marco Rubio isnt the most enthusiastic advocate for Rick Scott if the Republican governor tries to unseat Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson next year.

For starters, Scott opted not to endorse home state candidate Rubio (or former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush for that matter) in last years presidential primary, choosing instead to get behind Donald Trump.

Then, when Rubio announced in June hed run for re-election to the Senate, Scott declined to endorse Rubio in his primary race against businessman Carlos Beruff, whom the governor described as a good friend.

And theres also this: Rubio and Nelson have gone to bat for each other despite their political differences.

When Scott came to Washington last summer to push for Zika funding, he accused Nelson of abandoning his constituents by voting against a controversial Zika bill. Rubio on the Senate floor defended Nelson as an important ally in the push for Zika funding.

A few days earlier, Nelson undercut Democratic attacks characterizing Rubio as an impediment to Zika funding. When Rubios Senate challenger Patrick Murphy hammered the GOP incumbent for not doing more to pass President Obamas $1.9 billion Zika bill, Nelson reminded opponents Rubio was the first Republican to back the plan.

Nelson often has kind words for Rubio, saying their partnership is key to achieving the states priorities.

He has always been a gentleman with me, Nelson said recently. My relationship is very good. And that is important for Florida that the two senators get along. And therefore I will not make any negative comments about him if I had em.

Al Cardenas, a former chairman of the Florida GOP, said he expects Rubio will weigh several factors in deciding when and whether to endorse Scott if he runs for the Senate: his relationship with Nelson; the state of the race; the importance of a Florida victory to keep the Senate in GOP hands; and the level of pressure his Senate colleagues are applying on him to endorse Scott.

Ultimately, Scott may not be that interested in Rubios blessing anyway, considering how he became governor on an anti-establishment platform.

I dont think he loses sleep over who supports him and who doesnt especially now that Donald Trump won without any (establishment) support, Cardenas said of the governor. Gov. Scott won without the endorsement of the party brethren. If theres one thing that both (he and Trump) proved, its that they can go directly to the voters and plead their case.

People have a conversation with Bikers for Trump outside U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz's "Open Gaetz Day" event at Grover T's BBQ in Milton, Florida on Thursday, February 23, 2017. Gregg Pachkowski/gregg@pnj.com

Florida Republicans remain smitten with Donald Trump.

A new survey by the Associated Industries of Florida of GOP voters finds that 81 percent approve of his performance as president including 56 percent who strongly give him a thumbs up.

The poll by the conservative business group that often tracks political sentiment in the Sunshine State surveyed 800 voters who had voted in at least one of the last three non-presidential Republican primaries.

Thats in line with national polls that show Trump faring exceedingly well among his conservative followers even as the vast majority of Democrats and a large number of independents rate him poorly. Only 14 percent of Florida Republicans gave him a poor rating.

Even with an endless, round the clock bombardment of negative coverage in the main stream media, the base remains unfazed in their approval of the president, according to the analysis from the GOP-leaning trade group. These numbers shouldnt come as a surprise because (A) these are primary voting Republicans and (B) the president is only doing what he told the voters he would do.

Thats good news for Republican Gov. Rick Scott if he decides to take on Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson next year. Scott would already be the favorite to win the GOP nomination in the Senate race and his close ties to Trump would probably make him a lock for the primary.

Scott himself does very well in the AIF survey, with 81 percent also approving his job performance though the 41 percent giving him strong approval means he doesnt quite enjoy the same level of enthusiasm from the base that Trump has.

GOP Sen. Marco Rubio doesnt do too badly either, with 69 percent approving of his performance, though only 25 percent strongly applauded him.

Other high-profile Florida Republicans are still trying to connect with conservatives.

Attorney General Pam Bondi had a favorable rating of 54 percent while 12 percent gave her a thumbs down.

Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam had a favorable rating of 38 percent compared to 3 percent who had an unfavorable review.

Florida House Speaker Richard Corcoran had a favorable rating of 16 percent compared to 4 percent who viewed him negatively.

Florida Senate President Joe Negron was viewed favorably by 14 percent and unfavorably by 3 percent.

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Pam Bondi, once seen as a sure bet to leave the Sunshine State and work for President Trump, doesnt even get asked about a slot in the White House anymore.

Asked repeatedly by reporters a couple of weeks ago about a move to Washington, Floridas Attorney General repeatedly insisted she was not taking a job under the administration of President Donald Trump.

So when Bondi held an event honoring Floridas police officer of the year in Tallahassee Wednesday, reporters didnt even bother to ask her about a job with Trump.

Thats not to say it absolutely wont happen.

It was only last month that speculation burned about an impending gig in the West Wing, perhaps as a special counsel in charge of issues shes passionate about such as efforts to stop prescription drug abuse. Around the same time, then-Trump transition team spokesman Sean Spicer described her as someone who has a very valued opinion in the president-elect's world right now.

And Trump, who has been facing Democratic opposition in filling out his Cabinet, still has plenty of jobs to fill.

Contributing: Arek Sarkissian, The Naples Daily News

Contact Ledyard King at lking@gannett.com; Twitter: @ledgeking

Trump Supporters and Opponents have a heated discussion following the U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz event at Grover T's BBQ in Milton, FL.

U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz answers a question about Donald Trumps attack on the media during an "Open Gaetz Day" event at Grover T's BBQ in Milton, Florida on Thursday, February 23, 2017. Gregg Pachkowski/gregg@pnj.com

U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz enters an "Open Gaetz Day" event to a sea of protesters and supporters at Grover T's BBQ in Milton, Florida on Thursday, February 23, 2017. Gregg Pachkowski/gregg@pnj.com

U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz answers a question about cutting entitlement programs to pay for defense spending during an "Open Gaetz Day" event at Grover T's BBQ in Milton, Florida on Thursday, February 23, 2017. Gregg Pachkowski/gregg@pnj.com

U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz answers a question about Muslims during an "Open Gaetz Day" event at Grover T's BBQ in Milton, Florida on Thursday, February 23, 2017. Gregg Pachkowski/gregg@pnj.com

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Link:
Safe districts may protect Republicans from voter anger - Pensacola News Journal