Without mentioning Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump by name, Mr. Scott, told social conservatives gathered at a hotel in Washington for the 11th annual Values Voter Summit that the election is a "binary choice" between voting for the the policies of the last eight years -- which he blamed for increased poverty, and which expanded the food stamp rolls and led to sluggish economic growth -- or "you can vote for hope."
"You can vote for an alternative. You can vote ... to ’Make America Great Again,’ " he said, alluding to Mr Trump’s campaign slogan.
Mr. Scott prefaced his remarks by suggesting there is no ideal candidate in the race.
"I would like to tell you that one day we are going to have the perfect candidate to lead this country," he said, before rolling his eyes at the idea. "I don’t know what to tell you. I don’t think it is going to happen anytime soon."