News: POLITICO Florida Playbook: AOC and Rubio snipe at each other on Twitter — South Florida mayors say DeSantis won't talk to them — Diaz outlines his strategy to remake Florida Democrats

Friday, December 18, 2020

POLITICO Florida Playbook: AOC and Rubio snipe at each other on Twitter — South Florida mayors say DeSantis won't talk to them — Diaz outlines his strategy to remake Florida Democrats

Dec 18, 2020

Good Friday morning.

The daily rundown — Between Wednesday and Thursday, the number of Florida coronavirus cases increased by 13,148 (1.1 percent), to 1,168,483; active hospitalizations went down by 23 (0.4 percent), to 5,122; deaths rose by 101 (nearly 0.5 percent), to 20,305.

Crank up the outrage machine — Well, that escalated quickly.

Unsocial media — Florida Sen. Marco Rubio decided for some reason to take to social media Wednesday evening to tsk, tsk the fact that Jen O'Malley Dillon, soon-to-be deputy of chief of staff for Joe Biden, had dropped a F-bomb in a recent media interview: "Biden talks about unity and healing, but you want to know what they really think? Read how the person he wants as the next WH deputy chief of staff called Republicans in Congress a bunch of f***ers."

Double standard? — This comment by Rubio has drawn 70,000 plus replies, including a blistering rebuke by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. The New York congresswoman on Thursday pointed out that Rubio said nothing earlier this year when Florida Rep. Ted Yoho cursed at her: "@marcorubio you stood by in total silence when your GOP colleague called a Congresswoman a 'f— b—' on the Capitol steps in front of press. You weren't big enough to speak then, & you don't get to sob now. BTW that is the right word for those who fleece & scam working families." Rubio tried — emphasis on "tried" — to zing back : "BTW, the right word for those who fleece & scam working families is actually 'socialist.'"

Not ready for prime time — Meanwhile, Rep. Matt Gaetz — who did not respond directly to the whole AOC-Rubio contretemps — did chime in when Boston Globe senior opinion writer Kimberly Atkins tweeted out that many Republicans in Congress had dropped F-bombs in conversations with her. "Unclutch your pearls," Atkins wrote. Gaetz responded with, "I've never spoken to Kimberly but I can confirm that I have used words not-fit-for-print. My pearls are unclutched." Well, then.

— WHERE'S RON? — Nothing official announced for Gov. DeSantis.

Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for Playbook? Get in touch: gfineout@politico.com

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TRUMPLANDIA AND THE SWAMP

SORRY ABOUT THAT — "Top Biden aide walks back expletive description of Republicans," by POLITICO's Quint Forgey and Matthew Choi: Jen O'Malley Dillon, President-elect Joe Biden's campaign manager and incoming White House deputy chief of staff, walked back comments she made in a recent interview suggesting that congressional Republicans were "a bunch of f---ers." The mea culpa came in a virtual conversation Thursday with veteran Democratic operatives Stephanie Cutter and Teddy Goff, during which O'Malley Dillon acknowledged she "used some words that I probably could have chosen better" when speaking with author Glennon Doyle for a Glamour magazine interview published Tuesday.

LAST CHRISTMAS — "Trump expected to arrive on Dec. 23 for last presidential Christmas at Mar-a-Lago," by Palm Beach Post's Christine Stapleton: "President Donald Trump is expected to arrive in Palm Beach on Dec. 23 and return to Washington, D.C., on Jan. 3 after his last Christmas and New Years at Mar-a-Lago as president, according to a source who learned of the visit from the Secret Service. Widespread speculation in the past week had previously suggested that Trump might spend his final Christmas in office in the White House, or that he might come to Mar-a-Lago and not return to Washington for President-elect Joe Biden's inauguration Jan. 20."

— " Opera singer charged in Mar-a-Lago incident will use insanity defense in federal case," by Palm Beach Post's Hannah Winston

CORONAVIRUS UPDATES

NO REPLY AT ALL — "Miami-Dade mayors have a new COVID challenge: getting Gov. DeSantis on the phone," by Miami Herald's Joey Flechas, Samantha J. Gross, Martin Vassolo and Douglas Hanks: "Ten months into fighting Florida's worst coronavirus outbreak, mayors in Miami-Dade County have a simple request for the state's governor: Call us. Recent weeks saw city and county leaders confirm publicly they've been unable to talk to Gov. Ron DeSantis, who in September intervened in local COVID-19 responses by barring local governments from closing businesses or enforcing COVID-19 fines."

Whom should I say is calling? — "Miami Beach Mayor Dan Gelber, Hialeah Mayor Carlos Hernandez and others have called on DeSantis to allow mask mandates to be enforced. The Miami-Dade League of Cities tasked Suarez, the Republican mayor of the county's largest city, to make the case for more local control. The governor hasn't responded to meeting requests. 'I have made personal attempts, which have been unsuccessful,' said Suarez. 'I've asked people who have acted as emissaries. It hasn't worked.'"

Steady as she goes — The Herald story focuses on what has become standard operating procedure for DeSantis. He has a close circle of people he communicates with and that's pretty much it. DeSantis has ignored letters, calls etc. from Democratic members of Congress and he brushes off all requests for information from Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried, also a Democrat. But it's not just Democrats. Republican Sen. Rick Scott asked for information on how states are spending billions of dollars in CARES Act coronavirus relief money. The governor's office hasn't responded to Scott.

Gov. Ron DeSantis said that Trump's departure is

Evan Vucci/AP Photo

BLAME GAME — "DeSantis says Florida shipments of vaccines are 'on hold.' Pfizer disagrees," by Tampa Bay Times' Kirby Wilson and Steve Contorno: "Less than a week into its program to vaccinate millions of residents to protect them from the coronavirus, Florida has hit a potential speed bump. Gov. Ron DeSantis said Tuesday that Florida could receive less than the 452,000 doses of the coronavirus vaccine that the state was expecting because of a 'production issue' on the part of a vaccine manufacturer. DeSantis said that two shipments of the vaccine slated to be sent to Florida in the coming weeks are 'on hold right now.' On Thursday, Pfizer, the pharmaceutical giant behind the vaccine, put out a statement which contradicted that characterization. 'Pfizer is not having any production issues with our COVID-19 vaccine, and no shipments containing the vaccine are on hold or delayed,' the statement read."

Some good news — Late Thursday night, DeSantis did announce a positive development on the vaccine front. The governor said on Twitter that pharmacy chain Walgreens "would begin their mission to vaccinate staff and residents at FL's long-term care facilities tomorrow in Jacksonville — 3 days ahead of schedule. I appreciate @Walgreens for leaning in. There is no time to waste!"

MY WAY — "DeSantis mostly ignored White House COVID-19 reports, belittled task force's advice," by Orlando Sentinel's Steven Lemongello: "The four weekly White House Coronavirus Task Force reports released by Gov. Ron DeSantis' office this week are filled with warnings and recommendations about Florida's COVID-19 situation in early November. DeSantis, however, appears to have mostly ignored the calls to wear masks and avoid large gatherings outlined in the reports as he generally stopped talking in public at all. And when he held his first news conference in weeks on Nov. 30, he said he was not going to immediately release the reports and belittled some of the task force's past advice. 'No,' DeSantis said when asked by a reporter at a Kissimmee elementary school event if reports would start to be released sooner, calling some of the task force's recommendations 'problematic.'"

NO RULES — "South Florida parties on: No mask, no distancing, no problem inside bars and clubs," by Sun Sentinel's Arlene Borenstein-Zuluaga and Ben Crandell: "A few days before DeSantis made his comments, a fortnight before Christmas, astonishing scenes of irresponsibility were playing out in bars and clubs big and small across South Florida. A weekend tour found social distancing is nonexistent, capacity restrictions are ignored, mask rules are a joke. Standing outside Amsterdam in Hollywood, one new South Florida resident said that's why he moved here, calling it a 'free-for-all.'"

WAITING HIS TURN — " Gov. DeSantis won't 'jump the line' for the coronavirus vaccine," by Florida Phoenix's Michael Moline: "Although he's encouraging health care workers and vulnerable groups to take the COVID-19 vaccination, Gov. Ron DeSantis plans to wait his turn in line. 'It's not a matter of if, it's a matter of when,' communications director Fred Piccolo said Thursday. Specifically, DeSantis will get vaccinated when the state has enough doses for men, like him, who appear to be in good health with none of the co-morbidities that might render them vulnerable to dangerous COVID symptoms. 'He doesn't want to jump the line,' Piccolo said in a telephone interview."

— "Florida reports highest number of new COVID-19 cases since July," by Sun Sentinel's Aric Chokey and David Fleshler

— "Boca Raton Resort & Club terminates 995 employees amid pandemic-fueled economic crisis," by Palm Beach Post's Wendy Rhodes

— "150 inmates test positive for coronavirus at Zephyrhills Correctional Institution," by Tampa Bay Times' Dan Sullivan

— "Jobless assistance applications drop in Florida — but climb nationally as pandemic rages," by Miami Herald's Rob Wile

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TRAIL MIX

MAKING HIS PITCH — Former Miami Mayor Manny Diaz on Thursday sent out a lengthy memo to Democrats outlining his ideas if he is picked as the next chair of the Florida Democratic Party. In the memo shared with Playbook, Diaz talked about making sure the party had a 67-county strategy. "We must build a strong party infrastructure, fighting on important issues so we can define ourselves before our opponents do, and set the stage to win elections," he wrote. Diaz said this requires building an year-round operation that operates across the state and he proposed opening a new Central Florida office. Diaz also promised to give Democratic candidates access to Democratic data and that he would work to fix "misguided polls" that Democrats used in the last cycle. He also said that fundraising would be an important part of his job and he pledged to have a diverse cycle. Noting redistricting, Diaz also promised to take the Republican-controlled Legislature to court if they don't produce fair maps: "I will be using my background and experience to ensure the FDP is prepared for what will likely be one of the most difficult redistricting processes in Florida's history. We will challenge the Republicans again to draw fair districts, and if they do not live up to our expectations, I am prepared to challenge them in court if necessary."

— "Ione Townsend announces run for FDP chair, support from Tampa Bay Dems," by Florida Politics' Kelly Hayes

DEMOCRACY, WHAT'S THAT? — "One last chance to save Trump, Roger Stone says," by Tampa Bay Times' Roger Stone: "Former Donald Trump adviser and right-wing provocateur Roger Stone told a crowd of Trump backers in Clearwater this week that the Jan. 6 congressional count of Electoral College votes is the last chance to save Donald Trump's presidency, and urged them to tell Florida's two senators to object to the count. Stone, who raised the possibility he'll challenge Sen. Marco Rubio in a 2022 primary, also took a shot at Rubio during his speech to the Tampa Bay Trump Republican Club. Some Trump backers are angry over Rubio's lukewarm support for Trump's efforts to overturn the presidential election. 'Tell Marco Rubio, "Stand up, Marco — Oh, you are standing up,"' Stone said, a dig at Rubio's height."

... DATELINE TALLAHASSEE ...

WHAT COULD GO WRONG? — "Republicans tout transfer of federal wetlands permitting while enviros worry," by POLITICO's Bruce Ritchie: Republican members of Florida's congressional delegation and Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Noah Valenstein on Thursday celebrated the transfer of federal wetlands permitting amid continuing opposition from environmentalists. What happened? Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Andrew Wheeler announced approval of Florida's petition for the transfer in Washington with six Republican members of Florida's congressional delegation. Wheeler and Valenstein said the move would streamline permitting while maintaining at least as much protection for wetlands as before. "We will immediately — if we see something happening to our resource — be able to say we need to change the Clean Water Act to actually protect this resource better, we need additional resources, we need to work with our federal partners in a new way," Valenstein said. What's the backstory? Environmental groups, including the Sierra Club, Audubon Florida and Earthjustice said they hope the incoming Biden administration will reconsider the action — or at least scrutinize the transfer."

CONNECTIONS — " Antonacci gets a new job and an old problem: the appearance of a conflict of interest with his wife," by Florida Bulldog's Dan Christensen: "For the second time in five years, however, [Pete] Antonacci's new job creates an immediate appearance of a conflict of interest involving his wife, Anne Longman, a Tallahassee 'Super Lawyer' who often represents clients before the division her husband would now lead. Longman's practice focuses on representing clients before various federal and state agencies and "the Division of Administrative Hearings in matters concerning administrative and environmental law with a focus on infrastructure," according to a biography on the website of her firm, Lewis Longman Walker."

CHOICES — "Florida lawmakers may weigh cutting unemployment taxes for businesses, putting workers at risk," by Orlando Sentinel's Caroline Glenn: "Much like they did during the recovery from the Great Recession, Florida lawmakers could soon face deciding whether to cut unemployment taxes — a move that would help struggling businesses but could also leave the state without enough money to get benefits to workers who've lost jobs. Under state law, unemployment taxes are set to automatically increase Jan. 1 to replenish the trust fund that finances Florida's unemployment system. Although Florida pays some of the lowest unemployment benefits in the nation, a maximum of $275 per week, that fund is rapidly drying up amid the mass layoffs spurred by the coronavirus pandemic."

PENINSULA AND BEYOND

HELPING OUT — "Jeff Bezos' ex-wife MacKenzie Scott donates to millions to charities in South Florida," by Sun Sentinel's Lisa J. Huriash: "Her post does not specify the dollar amounts attached to each charity, and many were mum, although United Way of Palm Beach County made their $10 million gift public. For Meals on Wheels, which serves South Florida, the donation received Tuesday is 'six figures,' said Mark Adler, the executive director. It was the largest donation 'by far' in the group's 35-year history in South Florida, he said."

R.I.P. — " Former sportscaster, Florida U.S. Rep. Earl Hutto dies at 94," by Associated Press: "Earl Hutto, a sportscaster who went on to serve as a U.S. representative for Florida for 16 years, has died at 94. His daughter, Lori Hutto, told The Associated Press that the former congressman died Monday in his Pensacola home where he lived with his wife Nancy after retiring in 1995."

— " Fire kills as many 250,000 chickens at Dade City egg farm," by Tampa Bay Times' Dennis Joyce and Natalie Weber

— "Duke Energy rates set to lower in 2021," by Tampa Bay Times' Malena Carollo

MEDIA MATTERS

NEW LEADER — "Palm Beach Post names veteran journalist Rick Christie as executive editor," by Palm Beach Post's Carol Rose: "Christie, who replaces Nick Moschella as executive editor, will become the first Black person to lead the publication in its 104-year history. Moschella is retiring after 33 years at the Post, where he has been executive editor since 2017 after previously serving as managing editor and in other senior editor roles. 'You're not going to find too many journalists as well-rounded and accomplished as Rick Christie,'' Moschella said. 'He's been an informed, thoughtful and fair voice of the Post's editorial board and he has a passion for community journalism.'"

ODDS, ENDS AND FLORIDA MEN

— "Mick Jagger buys Florida mansion for girlfriend Melanie Hamrick," by New York Post's Ian Mohr: "Seems everyone who's anyone is moving to Florida. Mick Jagger has bought his ballet-dancer girlfriend a mansion near Sarasota for Christmas, sources exclusively told Page Six. A source told us that Melanie Hamrick, who shares a 4-year-old son with Jagger, is making Florida her home base. She left the American Ballet Theatre last year to spend more time with Jagger and their son, Devereaux. We hear the area's privacy, away from NYC and London, was a 'major factor' in choosing the home."

More details — "Mick Jagger, girlfriend Melanie Hamrick buy house in Lakewood Ranch," by Sarasota Herald-Tribune's Jimmy Geurts, Laura Finaldi and Wade Tatangelo: "It was sold for $1,980,000 on Oct. 28, according to MSC, with the couple choosing the home primarily for its privacy and to be close to Hamrick's family, who lives in the area. The deed was recorded Nov. 4 and the house is in Hamrick's name. The sellers were Ray and Loretta Harris, who originally purchased the house in January 2010 for $1.2 million, according to Manatee County records. Tina Ciaccio, who works in MSC's Lakewood Ranch office and served as listing agent for the property, said the couple never visited the house in person before purchasing, instead interacting with them through a FaceTime appointment with their buyer's agent. 'It was very cool hearing Mick Jagger's voice over the phone, that was neat,' Ciaccio said."

— "Selling Florida home, moving back to Arkansas, Huckabee confirms," by Arkansas Democrat-Gazette's Frank E. Lockwood: "Former Gov. Mike Huckabee is moving back to Arkansas, he said Wednesday. Asked about reports on social media that he's returning, the Hope native texted back: 'True. Back as of this week.' Huckabee, who served as governor from 1996 to 2007, said he and his wife plan to sell their Florida panhandle house. They had built the six-bedroom, 7½-bathroom beachside property, now valued at nearly $7.2 million, in 2011."

FROM DC PLAYBOOK — Among those spotted at Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz's annual Hanukkah party via Zoom, co-hosted by Rep. Lee Zeldin (R-N.Y.): Reps. Val Demings (D-Fla.), Mario Diaz-Balart (R-Fla.), Darren Soto (D-Fla.), and Jon "Bowzer" Bauman. Pic

BIRTHDAYS: Rep. Bill Posey (R-Fla.) is 73 ... Jared Moskowitz, director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management ... Florida State University President John Thrasher ... Stephanie Smith, senior director, government relations at Anthem Inc. … Former Miami-Dade Mayor Alex Penelas .... Will Lester of The Associated Press

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