GOP Sen. Scott blasts 'treasonous' Republicans in scathing op-ed

Florida Republican Sen. Rick Scott derided Republicans whom he dubbed "treasonous" for their apparent derision of certain GOP Senate candidates competing in tough races.

"Unfortunately, many of the very people responsible for losing the Senate last cycle are now trying to stop us from winning the majority this time by trash-talking our Republican candidates," Scott wrote in an op-ed for the Washington Examiner. "It’s an amazing act of cowardice, and ultimately, it’s treasonous to the conservative cause."

"If you want to talk about the need to raise more money to promote our candidates versus the Democrats’ terrible candidates, I agree," he continued. "If you want to trash-talk our candidates to help the Democrats, pipe down. That’s not what leaders do."

Scott's comments may be a dig at Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, who has previously attempted to lower expectations of the GOP claiming the Senate majority in November. He previously cited "candidate quality" as a reason for his cautious outlook but has since changed tune and suggested that a number of Trump-endorsed candidates "have a good chance of winning."

The Florida Senator went on to praise candidates Herschel Walker, Ga.; Dr. Mehmet Oz, Pa.; Blake Masters, Ariz.; and J.D. Vance, Ohio. He did not name them individually, but the descriptions he applies to each leave them unmistakably the subjects of his comments. Former President Donald Trump has endorsed each of these candidates.

"Ultimately, though, when you complain and lament that we have 'bad candidates,' what you are really saying is that you have contempt for the voters who chose them," Scott continued. "Now we are at the heart of the matter.  Much of Washington's chattering class disrespects and secretly (or not so secretly) loathes Republican voters."

The Florida Republican has publicly clashed with McConnell over what he termed a "strategic disagreement" on reclaiming the upper chamber for the GOP in November.