Adam Putnam could give ambition a bad name. It’s what happens when you’ve really, really wanted to be governor since student council days at Bartow High. While he looked like Opie Taylor, he acted like Lee Atwater.
The stepping stones were in place: the Florida House, the U.S. House and the Florida Cabinet. He’s touched them all, with the name recognition that comes with it. Now–at 42–he wants the big gubernatorial payoff.
Too bad he’s not skipping one calculation in particular, because there’s a big difference between uber ambition–and whoring out to the NRA. Florida would be less safe if Putnam were to have his way, because his way includes allowing gun owners to carry firearms on college and university campuses and openly in public. And let’s not forget nearly 2 million Floridians have concealed weapons permits.
Those who really know the reality–not Second Amendment channelers of the Founding Fathers, but higher education administrators and most police officials–vehemently oppose such a proposal.
And, BTW, ask around to those who market this state and its obvious attractions to tourists and students nationally and globally. See if they think there’s any fallout likely from further ratcheting up Florida’s reputation as the “Gunshine State.”