| | | | | |  | | By Gary Fineout | Presented by Our Islands Our Future | It's Friday morning. The daily rundown — Between Wednesday and Thursday, the number of Florida coronavirus cases increased by 19,816 (1.4 percent), to 1,429,722; active hospitalizations went up by 24 (0.3 percent), to 7,327; deaths rose by 164 (0.7 percent), to 22,481. The day after — The fallout from Wednesday's storming of the U.S. Capitol continues to resonate as more details emerge about who participated. The key question is whether there will be a reckoning among Florida Republicans about where to go from here. Who's to blame? — At the Republican National Committee winter meeting in northeast Florida, potential 2024 contender Nikki Haley criticized President Donald Trump and said he will be "judged harshly" by history for his actions since the election. Gov. Ron DeSantis, another likely 2024 contender, will be at the RNC meeting today, but he probably won't echo that sentiment. While DeSantis criticized those who took part in what other Republicans have called a "failed insurrection," the governor so far has not taken direct aim at his ally Trump. Instead, DeSantis — who, back in December, said he had urged Trump to "fight on" — is using the events to promote his protest crackdown legislation, which he initially suggested in the wake of last year's Black Lives Matter protests. Rubio's point-of-view — Sen. Marco Rubio, who unlike many other Florida Republicans did not back efforts to block this week's election certification, used an interesting characterization when appearing on Fox News last night. While discussing Trump supporters, the state's senior senator said that, "Some of them unfortunately were adherents to a conspiracy theory and others got caught up in the moment. The result was a national embarrassment." Caught up in the moment? Earlier in the day — on social media — Rubio asserted that other Republicans (but without naming any names) had taken advantage of Trump supporters. Rubio tweeted, that "Some misled you... That the VP could reject ballots. That objections could pass or used as leverage to force an audit... They knew the truth but thought it was a great way to get attention & raise money." This could be seen as Rubio throwing shade at other possible 2024 candidates such as Sen. Ted Cruz, who continued to object to the Electoral College certification even after the Capitol break-in. The anti-Trump group Lincoln Project had this reaction to Rubio: "Look in the mirror." — WHERE'S RON? — Gov. Ron DeSantis is expected to speak at the Republican National Committee winter meeting in Amelia Island. Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for Playbook? Get in touch: gfineout@politico.com | | | | A message from Our Islands Our Future: Oil Drilling in The Bahamas Threatens Florida's Coast. Florida's coastline and tourism industry are in danger. An oil drilling company with a history of accidents will begin drilling for oil just miles off Florida's coast with Miami's beaches, Florida's entire Atlantic Coast, and the U.S. mainland downstream of prevailing winds and surface currents. Over 75,000 people have already signed a petition to stop this potential catastrophe. Will you? Learn more - ourislandsourfuture.org. | | |
|  | TRUMPLANDIA AND THE SWAMP | | WHAT HAPPENS IN AMELIA ISLAND — "Haley criticizes Trump over Capitol riot, election claims in RNC speech," by POLITICO's Alex Isenstadt: Former U.N. ambassador Nikki Haley sharply criticized President Donald Trump over the Capitol riot and his behavior since the election, telling Republican National Committee members in a closed-door speech Thursday evening that Trump's actions "will be judged harshly by history." "President Trump has not always chosen the right words," Haley said during an appearance at the RNC's winter meeting on Amelia Island, Fla., according to a person familiar with her remarks. "He was wrong with his words in Charlottesville, and I told him so at the time. He was badly wrong with his words yesterday. And it wasn't just his words. His actions since Election Day will be judged harshly by history." 'I DON'T CARE WHAT BANNER YOU ARE FLYING' — "In Bradenton, DeSantis, who told Trump to 'fight on,' deflects blame for D.C. lawlessness," by Sarasota Herald-Tribune's Zac Anderson : "Trump's supporters surged past police and overran the Capitol, forcing it to go on lockdown. Authorities have said that four people died, including one woman who was shot by law enforcement. 'What I've said is you can file suits; there's political ways to do it. In no way have I supported any type of lawlessness or anything like that,' DeSantis said during an event in Bradenton Thursday, adding: 'I don't care what banner you're flying, if you're engaging in that conduct, we're going to hold you accountable.'" VANTAGE POINT — "Rep. Val Demings, Orlando's former police chief, says US Capitol crisis was mishandled," by WESH: "U.S. Rep. Val Demings, a former Orlando police chief, said it was 'painfully obvious' that Capitol police were not prepared for the riots that happened on Wednesday. Demings said that in her professional opinion, with 27 years of law enforcement experience, she believes it was mishandled, and she's asking for a full investigation. Demings called the assault on the U.S. Capitol an act of domestic terrorism and placed the blame on President Donald Trump, who she said incited it. 'This is directly on the president, and actually those Republican colleagues who I work with every day who I call his enablers,' Demings said." | 
Rep. Val Demings questions a Trump administration official during a public impeachment hearing of President Donald Trump in November 2019. | AP Photo/Andrew Harnik | FLORIDA MAN — "Parrish man caught on camera carrying U.S. House lectern during riot at Capitol," by Bradenton Herald's Ryan Ballogg and Jessica De Leon: "Speaking at a press conference regarding Manatee County's COVID-19 vaccine rollout with Gov. Ron DeSantis, state Sen. Jim Boyd, R-Bradenton, expressed disappointment in [Adam Christian] Johnson's actions. 'I don't care where they're from. That's intolerable. It's sad that they may be from our community,' Boyd said. 'There's nothing right about what they did. I'm sad if it is one of ours, but they don't act like us here in Manatee County.'" FLORIDA MAN PART 2 — " Hernando blogger was at head of Capitol mob as it attacked," by Tampa Bay Times' Jack Evans: " An 'End CCP' mask — a reference to the Chinese Communist Party — covered his mouth, and his first words were swallowed by the chanting surrounding him. The end of his sentence, though, came out clear: 'Storm the Capitol.' [Tom] Lemons, a blogger who became well-known in Hernando County through a website focused on local crime and conspiracy theories he spreads on social media, was shoulder-to-shoulder with the front line of rioters who pushed their way through barriers outside the Capitol, forced police to retreat to the building's steps and ultimately pressed their way toward the entrance. Says he didn't go in — "A video posted to his YouTube page showed his place during the insurrection. At times, he was camera-to-face with officers. Lemons said in an interview Thursday that he never actually entered the Capitol — he 'didn't want to face any type of charges for entering the building.'" NEVER MIND — " How Matt Gaetz spread a falsehood about antifa infiltrating the mob that attacked Congress," by Tampa Bay Times' Steve Contorno: " By Thursday morning, however, the account [Matt] Gaetz shared with his colleagues and viewers had completely unraveled. XRVision, the facial recognition company cited in the [Washington] Times story, told multiple news outlets that it was untrue. The company's technology had actually identified two members of neo-Nazi organizations and a QAnon supporter among the pro-Trump mob, XRVision told Buzzfeed. Company representatives asked the Times to retract and apologize for the story. By Thursday afternoon, it was removed from the web. By then, the damage was done. Gaetz's five-minute floor speech, posted to his Facebook page, was shared 6,600 times on Facebook. Conservative news outlets published Gaetz's remarks as fact." Gaetz's reply on Twitter — "I cited a Wash Times publication w/ requisite caveat. If it isn't true, the point still stands that our nation has endured both left and right wing violence & I condemn it all. Specifically, I condemned the attacks on the Capitol and on Speaker Pelosi's home." SO MUCH FOR THAT — "After running as a moderate, Carlos Gimenez votes to overturn electoral college result," by Miami Herald's Alex Daugherty, Douglas Hanks and David Smiley: "'It's all about collaboration and results," [Carlos] Gimenez, a 66-year-old Republican, said during the Nov. 6 farewell ceremony at a PortMiami terminal. 'People want their elected leaders to work together for the greater good. They don't want us to get stuck in partisan, broken potholes.' But in the first consequential votes of his nascent career in the U.S. House of Representatives, Gimenez voted Wednesday and early Thursday to support President Donald Trump's efforts to overturn the results of Joe Biden's victory in several battleground states — taking a position that even some members of his own party have cast as an overtly partisan attack on democracy." ALTERNATE REALITY — "Collier County business owner calls D.C. trip to Trump protests 'amazing,' surrounded by 'great Americans,'" by Naples Daily News' Thaddeus Mast: "A controversial Collier County business owner, returning from Wednesday's riot in Washington, D.C., said protesters were "supporting liberty and freedom" and blamed left-wing activists for the siege on the U.S. Capitol. 'The trip was amazing," Alfie Oakes stated in an email Thursday. "I have never been surrounded by so many great Americans.' Oakes, owner of Seed to Table, is an outspoken supporter of President Trump. He has fought Collier County's mask order since July. He has called COVID-19 a "hoax" and has sued the county, claiming the mandate is illegal." — "Tampa Bay man arrested in connection with Capitol riot, police say," by Tampa Bay Times' Josh Fiallo — "Florida lawmaker's wife defends Capitol rioters, says they were 'peacefully protesting,'" by Florida Politics' A.G. Gancarski | | | | GET THE BIG PRE-INAUGURATION SCOOPS IN TRANSITION PLAYBOOK: Inauguration Day is quickly approaching. Is the Biden administration ready? Transition Playbook brings you inside the transition and newly forming administration, tracking the latest from Biden world and the transition of power. Written for political insiders, this scoop-filled newsletter breaks big news and analyzes the appointments, people and emerging power centers of the new administration. Track the transition and the first 100 days of the incoming Biden administration. Subscribe today. | | | | |
| | CORONAVIRUS UPDATES | | INVESTIGATION TIME — "Scott demands federal probe of Florida's vaccine distribution," by POLITICO's Gary Fineout and Arek Sarkissian: Sen. Rick Scott on Thursday called for a congressional investigation into what he called "vaccine distribution mismanagement," following multiple reports that a West Palm Beach nursing home and assisted-living facility steered highly sought after vaccine shots to its board members and major donors. Gov. Ron DeSantis already has been under fire for the bumpy rollout of vaccinations in Florida due to the Republican governor's insistence that those 65 or older be among the first to get inoculated with one of the Covid-19 vaccines. The state has roughly 4.4 million older residents. But Scott's decision to wade into the controversy, even in a limited fashion, marks yet another instance in which the former Florida governor and his successor in Tallahassee have taken shots — some of them subtle, some of them not so subtle — at each other. Both Republicans are viewed as potential presidential candidates in 2024. Probe already underway — DeSantis on Thursday brushed aside Scott's call for an investigation and disclosed that he has already ordered Chief Inspector General Melinda Miguel to start an official probe into MorseLife Health System. A senior source with the governor's office said the governor a day earlier had directed Miguel to begin working on the case. "This is something we're already investigating," DeSantis said during a press conference in Vero Beach. "The nursing home and long-term care program is for residents and staff of long-term care facilities. That's who it's for." SURGE — "With nearly 20,000 new cases, Florida breaks one-day record," by Associated Press' Brendan Farrington and Tamara Lush: "Florida broke its record for the highest single-day number of coronavirus cases since the pandemic began, tallying 19,816 new cases on Thursday, while the state's death toll reached 22,400. Statistics from the Florida Department of Health on Thursday showed the totals surpassed the previous single-day record, which was 17,783 cases on Wednesday. Since the pandemic started in March, about 1.4 million people in Florida have contracted COVID." VERDICT — " White House COVID report: 'Florida is in full pandemic resurgence,'" by Orlando Sentinel's Naseem S. Miller: "Florida is now painted in red — for increase in the number of COVID-19 cases, for test positivity and high levels of community transmission in nearly 90% of the counties, according to the Jan. 3 White House COVID-19 Task Force report obtained by the Orlando Sentinel. 'Florida has seen an increase in new cases despite a significant decrease in tests performed, an increase in test positivity, and rapidly rising hospitalizations,' said the report. 'Florida is in full pandemic resurgence and must increase mitigation, along with an active COVID vaccination program to decrease community spread and save lives.'" HOW IT'S GOING — "'They weren't prepared.' Delayed funds, shifting strategy created a perfect storm for Florida's COVID-19 vaccine rollout," by Sun Sentinel's Skyler Swisher and Susannah Bryan: "A shifting strategy, delayed federal help and years of cuts to public health budgets contributed to a rocky rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine to the oldest and most vulnerable Floridians, turning the lifesaving arrival of shots into a 65-and-up scramble resembling a Black Friday dash for marked-down televisions. For months a vaccine has been seen as the endgame for the pandemic, with politicians championing a herculean, all-hands-on-deck push to immunize the masses. Yet, health officials across the state received little advance notice, and Florida's only published vaccine plan lacked details on exactly how leaders would handle the onslaught of demand for appointments and information from seniors eager to be immunized." 'WE KNOW IT'S HERE NOW' — "Nearly half of new COVID variant cases in the U.S. are in Florida. Experts warn of a surge," by Miami Herald's Ana Claudia Chacin and Samantha J. Gross : "The mutated and likely more contagious strain of the novel coronavirus detected in Martin County last week is growing in Florida, with 22 cases now in the state, according to new data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That's about 42% of the 52 cases known to the CDC in the United States, and experts say the new strain is likely to continue to spread as COVID cases rise across the state and in South Florida. "We know it's here now. Even though it's Martin County, we have to assume it's in Miami-Dade as well," said Mary Jo Trepka, an infectious disease epidemiologist and professor at Florida International University." FOR YOUR RADAR — "CDC, Miami-Dade investigate death of Miami Beach doctor following COVID-19 vaccine," by Miami Herald's Martin Vassolo: "The Medical Examiner's Office, which conducted an autopsy Tuesday, has not ruled out a connection to the vaccine, said Darren Caprara, director of operations at the county office. 'The cause of death is pending the completion of studies being done by the medical examiner and the Centers for Disease Control," Caprara said in an email. 'The case is still under investigation, so nothing has been finalized.'" — "' What about essential workers?' Escambia County educators concerned about vaccine access," by WEAR-TV's Jennifer Munoz | | | |   | | |
| | ... DATELINE TALLAHASSEE ... | | HERE IT COMES — "Florida's DeSantis moves long-stalled protest crackdown on heels of Capitol riots," by POLITICO's Matt Dixon: The timing of DeSantis' protest crackdown vision moving forward as the pro-Trump rioters raged is notable. Trump's political base is seen as key to the national political aspirations held by DeSantis, who went from a backbench member of Congress best known for Fox News appearances to the governor of Florida in 2018 largely due to Trump's endorsement. DeSantis did release his own statement Tuesday calling violence in the U.S. Capitol "unacceptable," but used the internationally-watched unrest in the Capitol as the moment to release his own crackdown proposals. The move will set up a legislative showdown with Democrats, who are the political minority in both chambers of the state's Legislature but have vowed to do everything they can to stop the legislation. They continue to see the proposal rooted in Republican's desire to crack down on things like the Floyd-prompted summer protests and the Black Lives Matter movement, even as they view Republicans taking a softer approach toward violent protests spurred by those perceived as conservatives or Trump supporters. State Rep. Omari Hardy, a Mangonia Park Democrat, said the bill is nothing more than DeSantis' trying to court Trump supporters as he eyes a 2024 bid for the White House. | | | | A NEW YEAR MEANS A NEW HUDDLE IS HERE: Huddle, our daily congressional must-read, has a new author! Olivia Beavers took the reins this week, and she has the latest news and whispers from the Speakers' Lobby. Don't miss out, subscribe to our Huddle newsletter, the essential guide to all things Capitol Hill. Subscribe today. | | | | |
| | TRAIL MIX | | BARNES BACKS CHESTNUT — Democratic National Committee member Nikki Barnes, one of several people who jumped into the race to lead the Florida Democratic Party, suspended her candidacy Thursday evening and threw her support to former State Rep. Cynthia Chestnut. In a text message to POLITICO's Matt Dixon, Barnes wrote "After seeing the results in Georgia, it's imperative that the Florida Democratic Party truly demonstrates that it's prepared to trust Black women, get out of the way and let them lead. Dr. Chestnut is more than prepared to meet this moment and I hope Florida Democrats will join me in supporting her." Barnes decision to support Chestnut comes just two days before Democrats convene virtually to decide who will lead the party after its disastrous performance in Florida during the 2020 elections. Current Florida Democratic Party chair Terrie Rizzo decided not to seek another term amid the furor that overtook Democrats after President Donald Trump won the state and two Democratic congressional incumbents lost. Other candidates running for the post of chair include former Miami Mayor Manny Diaz, Wes Hodge, chair of Orange County Democratic Party, and Ione Townsend, chair of Hillsborough County Democratic Party. WHAT HAPPENS NEXT — "Even after he leaves White House, Trump could bring trouble for Rubio, Scott and DeSantis," by Orlando Sentinel's Steven Lemongello and Mark Skoneki: "With less than two weeks left in office, President Donald Trump is creating a sharp divide in the Florida Republican Party between loyalists who backed his baseless claims of fraud and those trying to distance themselves from him after the violent attack on the Capitol he helped incite. But the biggest question over the next few years will be how deep a shadow Trump will continue to cast over politics in Florida, his adopted state. 'I think that people may start to figure out that there's a price to pay in all of this, Georgia being an example,' said Mac Stipanovich, a Tallahassee consultant and anti-Trump Republican, referring to the Democrats' dual Senate victories on Tuesday." | | | | A message from Our Islands Our Future: Oil Drilling in The Bahamas is About to Ruin Our Coast.
Florida's coastline and tourism industry are in danger. An oil drilling company with a history of accidents will soon begin drilling for oil in Bahamian waters, just miles from Miami's beaches, with the entire Atlantic Coast of Florida and the U.S. mainland directly downstream of prevailing winds and surface currents.
The Bahamian Prime Minister has the power to revoke the drilling license, even though it's dangerously close to our coastline and threatens marine-protected areas. With a U.S. moratorium on offshore drilling in effect, this drill is happening in face of open opposition from a bi-partisan group of elected officials, with more than a dozen members of Congress signing a letter to the State Department expressing their strong opposition.
Over 75,000 people have signed the public petition to stop this potential catastrophe. Will you?
Visit ourislandsourfuture.org to learn more. | | | | | ODDS, ENDS AND FLORIDA MEN | | — "District upholds firing of teacher over crude TikTok videos," by Associated Press: "The Lake County School Board agreed last month to uphold the termination of Todd Erdman's teaching contract, the Orlando Sentinel reported. Erdman, 45, had taught at Umatilla Middle School for 12 years. He was fired in September 2019, shortly after the videos were brought to the district's attention, the newspaper reported. Officials said the videos amounted to professional misconduct. The videos included one of Erdman cursing and joking as he drank a beer in the morning, saying he needed alcohol because of the "idiots" he worked with. Other showed a candlelit bathtub, where he made or lip-synced crude sexual comments." BIRTHDAYS: State Rep. Rene "Coach P" Plasencia
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