Rick Scott talks transition with Charlie Crist in Tallahassee

Florida Gov.-elect Rick Scott, left speaks at a news conference as Gov. Charlie Crist listens on Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2010 in Tallahassee, Fla.(AP Photo/Steve Cannon)

TALLAHASSEE — Governor-elect Rick Scott made a courtesy call Tuesday as he met with outgoing governor Charlie Crist and the incoming House speaker as he begins the task of transitioning to his administration.

Meeting briefly with reporters and Crist during an impromptu news conference, Scott thanked Crist for his support as he hands over the reins of the state to the Naples businessman who defeated Democratic challenger Alex Sink a week earlier.

“The governor and staff have been unbelievably helpful in trying to make sure we have a very smooth transition,” Scott said. I’m looking forward to getting to work.”

Scott made the rounds Tuesday, the first such visit since he became the state’s governor-elect Nov. 2. He also met with incoming House Speaker Dean Cannon, R-Winter Park, who was overseeing an orientation for new House members.

Scott said he’ll work with Crist’s staff over the next several weeks to make a number of staffing decisions for his new team, which is expected to include a lot of new faces. That said, Scott said Tuesday he’s not ruling out tapping existing staffers if they fit with his goals and objectives.

“There are a lot of good people in the administration,” Scott said. “Part of what we’re doing is putting together a team. We’ll be working with the governor and staff to make sure we have a great team.”

Earlier Tuesday, Crist told reporters that he had only a few pieces of advice for Scott as he enters the role Crist played for four years before embarking on an unsuccessful bid to become Florida’s newest U.S. senator.

Crist’s advice? ”Work hard, which I’m sure he will, and do the best you can,” Crist said. “Enjoy the job. It’s a great gig.”

Asked about his own future, Crist spoke only in generalities, saying he looks forward to life as a private citizen but was mum on whether he will again enter the public arena.

“There is a lot to do and I’m only 54,” Crist said. “I look forward to it. So, we’ll see you around.”

Lawmakers are scheduled to meet next week to swear in new members and are expected to seek a number of veto overrides on bills that passed easily in both chambers but were rejected by Crist. When asked, Scott said he’s focusing his attention on creating jobs in Florida and was not concerned that some of the veto overrides would reduce the authority of his office to appoint some agency heads.

“I don’t think anybody is trying to go after my power,” Scott said “They’re following through on the things they believe in.

Crist said he will go ahead and make a number of judicial appointments before leaving office in January, saying that Scott will have plenty of appointments once he takes office.

“The people elect you for four years, maybe more,” Crist said. “I’m going to honor what they did for me and make those appointments with all due speed.”

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Videos

• Rick Scott's victory rally
• Alex Sink's concession speech
• Reaction to Scott's election rally
• Scott confident he's governor
• Pat Carroll keeps position in School Board
• Alex Sink Speech (Part I)
• Alex Sink Speech (Part II)
• Early scenes from Scott's rally

Photo Galleries

• Rick Scott addresses supporters in the early morning hours
• It's hurry up and wait for Rick Scott supporters
• Sink; "We will not stop until every voice is heard."
• Pat Carroll wins District 1 seat for Collier School Board
• Barbara Berry wins Collier School Board seat
• Roy Terry wins Collier School Board seat
• Roseanne Winter defeated by Pat Carroll in school board race
• Kathy Ryan loses to Barbara Berry in Collier School Board Race
• Incumbent Brian Bigelow keeps Lee commissioner's seat
• Marco Rubio wins U.S. Senate seat
• Crist succumbs to Rubio in U.S. Senate race
• Alex Sink waits for results in Governor's race
• Pam Bondi wins Florida Attorney General race
• Naples heads to the polls
• Scott supporters gather in Fort Lauderdale

Stories

• Election Day 2010: Results
• Chat archive: Daily News editor Phil Lewis talks about Florida elections
• Sink concedes, Naples' Rick Scott is Florida's new governor
• Collier County School Board: Carroll, Berry, Terry win
• Rivera has comfortable lead for South Florida Congress 25 seat; Mack winning
• Class size amendment losing; Collier may have to rezone elementary schools
• An incumbent ousted in Collier fire board races
• Straw ballot: Collier voters support fire district consolidation
• GOP gains in Southwest Florida legislative seats
• Hall, Bigelow win re-election in Lee County Commission race
• Bonita, Estero fire seats: Incumbents barely hold on to seats
• Sold! Estates shopping center wins at the voting booth
• Marco Rubio wins Senate over Crist, Meek
• Hometown Democracy (Amendment 4) losing statewide, and in Collier, Lee
• Fischer captures Lee County School board seat
• As expected Hiller cruises to Collier County Commission victory
• Two incumbents, three newcomers elected to Lee Memorial Hospital Board
• Mann of the hour: Familiar name wins Lee County judge seat
• Incumbent and newcomer lead for seats on mosquito, soil and water boards
• Republican Pam Bondi takes attorney general race
• Republicans win 7 House seats in Ind, Fla, Va
• 3 Florida Democrat congressional incumbents unseated
• GOP captures governorships in at least 4 states
• GOP gains two-thirds majority in Florida Legislature

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• Amendment Summaries
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