By Sascha Cordner
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wfsu/local-wfsu-996641.mp3
Tallahassee, FL – Months ago, Governor Rick Scott was used in a comedic bit on Comedy Central's "Colbert Report" for being the least popular Governor in America. Now, as Sascha Cordner reports, Scott may be making an appearance on the "Daily Show with Jon Stewart," and taking Florida's Attorney General Pam Bondi along for the ride.
It began as a serious media event. Governor Scott had just unveiled his state budget plan, and was taking questions from reporters. But, what he was not expecting was this question:
"You benefit from hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars every year, so would you be willing to pee into this cup to prove to Florida taxpayers that you're not on drugs, that you aren't using this money for drugs. [Scott: I've done it plenty of times] You will? {Scott: I've done it plenty of times.] Well can you pass this forward to the Governor. We can all turn around, it's fine "
That's Aasif Mandvi, a correspondent for the "Daily Show with Jon Stewart." Scott didn't pee in the cup, but Mandvi kept repeatedly asking Scott to do so. The Governor finally replied:
"Okay, just a second, I'm going over here, you don't get to run this!"
But, Mandvi wasn't finished. The next day, he was waiting for Attorney General Pam Bondi as she was leaving an anti-casino bill news conference. Mandvi asked her the same question. This time, though, Bondi was ready:
Bondi: Wow, that's very interesting, [Aasif: Would you be willing to?] well that's very interesting that you say that, because as Attorney General, I'm always prepared.
Aasif: You have a sample of your urine! [Bondi: Thank you, have a great day!] Is that really your urine? [Bondi: thank you] How do we know it's not just apple juice?"
Mandvi later smelled the cup of yellow liquid with Bondi's name written on it and determined that it was in fact apple juice.
Mandvi's questions stem from a bill passed this year that requires all welfare recipients to pass a drug test. A lawsuit was also filed by the American Civil Liberties Union against the state regarding the new law.