| | | | | |  | | By Gary Fineout | Good Thursday morning. The daily rundown — Between Tuesday and Wednesday, the number of Florida coronavirus cases increased by 11,914 (0.7 percent), to 1,601,011; active hospitalizations decreased by 216 (2.9 percent), to 7,147; deaths rose by 142 (nearly 0.6 percent), to 24,578. New beginning — Joe Biden, sworn into office shortly before noon on Wednesday, began his term as president with a call for a unity and then quickly started on efforts to dismantle part of former President Donald Trump's legacy with a series of executive orders and actions. Florida Democrats were effusive with praise for Biden's speech and his initial decisions. MANA time? — But a few hours later, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio took to the Senate floor with a bit of counter-programming to Biden's first day — and a warning that people remain anxious and fearful of Democrats' ascension to power. Rubio cautioned that Trump's exit "will not make 'Make America Normal Again.'" He also repeated his criticism of the House decision to impeach Trump a second time. Here's just one part — "Today, President Biden struck an important tone of national unity, and I believe that they were sincere. But pursuing a radical agenda in a divided country will not contribute to unity; it's cynicism that destroys trust. Fanning the flames of grievances or pursuing vengeance disguised as accountability will not produce unity; it's the politics of resentment and retribution, which leaves us a fractured nation of people who hate each other." Breaking it down — Rubio's speech also raised questions about Big Tech and why people have "turned to partisan politics and online conspiracy cults" amid a breakdown of institutions. But Rubio's ribbing of Biden will likely ring hollow for those who wonder why he spent four years deploying only muted criticism of the previous White House occupant, who wasn't shy about "fanning the flames of grievances." It is worth noting that Rubio's take was not just reflexive opposition that other Florida Republicans turned down in the hours following Biden's inauguration. Rubio's path — Rubio was once seen as the future of the Republican Party, but that changed dramatically when Trump easily dispatched him in the 2016 Republican primary. The question, however, is what role and voice he will play in the Republican Party now that Trump is gone — and who will listen. — WHERE'S RON? — Gov. DeSantis is scheduled to be in Tallahassee. Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for Playbook? Get in touch: gfineout@politico.com | | | | TRACK FIRST 100 DAYS OF THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION: Track the first 100 Days of the Biden administration. Written for political insiders, this scoop-filled newsletter breaks big news and analyzes the initiatives, people and emerging power centers of the new administration. Subscribe today. | | | | |
|  | THE 46TH | | NOT ON SAME PAGE — "Florida Republicans at odds over Biden immigration reform plan," by Sun Sentinel's Anthony Man: "Before President Joe Biden made it to the White House on Wednesday, Florida Republicans were already disagreeing — with each other — over his push for immigration reform. As Biden was taking the oath of office, U.S. Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, R-Miami, issued a statement pledging to work with the Biden Administration 'to fix our broken immigration system once and for all' … A political committee controlled by U.S. Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., struck a different tone. A week ago, Scott began a two-year term as chairman of the campaign arm of Senate Republicans. Scott put his longtime communications chief Chris Hartline in charge of communications at the Senate committee. Hartline said in a statement Wednesday that Biden's immigration plan involves "embracing a radical immigration agenda of amnesty and open borders." REACTIONS — "Florida leaders praise 'new day in America,' but some offer criticism of Biden," by Orlando Sentinel's Steven Lemongello and Steven Walker: "Florida Democrats uniformly praised President Biden's inaugural speech and his rise to power Wednesday, while the few Florida Republicans who commented offered caveats to Biden's bipartisan message. 'It has been a long, hard year and we aren't done fighting yet,' said U.S. Rep. Stephanie Murphy, D-Winter Park, on Twitter. 'But today is a new day in America.'… Republican leaders, meanwhile, mixed polite acknowledgment of Biden's presidency with criticism. In an op-ed for Fox News, Republican U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio wrote that 'Biden is now our president … the single most powerful job in the world, and the most serious challenge he will face is leading a bitterly divided country.'" | 
Doug Emhoff, Vice President Kamala Harris, Jill Biden, and President Joe Biden wave as they arrive at U.S. Capitol for the inauguration. | Getty image | COMING SOON — "Disney: Hall of Presidents closed for refurbishment; Biden figure to be added," by Orlando Sentinel's Dewayne Bevil: "The Hall of Presidents "is currently closed for refurbishment" at Magic Kingdom theme park, according to Walt Disney World's official website. The closure coincides with Inauguration Day for Joe Biden and the last day of the presidency for Donald Trump. It's the first movement Disney has shown on the attraction during the transition. As of Tuesday, the site continued to list operating hours for the Hall of Presidents through mid-March. A Disney World spokeswoman confirmed Wednesday morning that the attraction will be updated with a Biden figure." — "Florida Republicans explain why they attended — or missed — Inauguration Day," by Tampa Bay Times' Michael Van Sickler — "A smattering of protesters gather at Florida Capitol on Inauguration Day," by Sun Sentinel's Mario Ariza and Orlando Sentinel's Gray Rohrer — "Marlins general manager Kim Ng part of Biden, Harris inauguration ceremony event," by Miami Herald's Jordan McPherson — "Interior Department names Everglades advocate, and Keys native, to top post," by WLRN's Jenny Staleovich | | | | JOIN TODAY TO HEAR FROM SELECT MAYORS ACROSS THE U.S.: Today, The Fifty: America's Mayors will virtually convene select mayors from across the U.S. for back-to-back interviews during inauguration week to discuss bold ideas and policy proposals for their cities to move forward post-COVID-19. The mayors will also discuss their cities' needs from state and federal government to recover from the economic and public health crises and how they'd like to work with President Biden as he begins in the White House. This virtual program will feature an executive conversation between POLITICO CEO Patrick Steel and Microsoft's President of U.S. Regulated Industries Toni Townes-Whitley. REGISTER HERE. | | | | |
| | TRUMPLANDIA AND THE SWAMP | | THE NEW NORMAL — "Donald Trump leaves as he arrived, minus his microphone," by POLITICO's Anita Kumar, Meridith McGraw and Michael Grunwald: While Trump doesn't have the presidency anymore, he does have his fans. On Thursday, Trump's family, most loyal donors and friends are set to host a welcome home luncheon for him at his Mar-a-Lago club. And when he arrived in Florida, about 400 hardcore ones were gathered along Southern Boulevard in Palm Beach waiting for what was in essence the final MAGA rally of the Trump presidency. They came with their Keep America Great flags and Women for Trump shirts and Trump-Pence signs, many with Pence scratched out in protest of his decision to certify the Electoral College results. A pink sign congratulating Tiffany Trump for her engagement was also spotted by reporters. MATH IS HARD — Paul Amirata, a 52-year-old insurance lawyer, said Trump gave him a thumbs-up after seeing his handmade sign: "On the 8th Day God Created Donald Trump." Like most of the hundreds of supporters who gathered to wave at his final motorcade, Amirata believes Trump was betrayed by virus creators in China, the fake news media, Big Tech, vote-rigging Democrats, disloyal Republicans and an all-powerful Deep State. "The fix was in, and that's why we're seeing him on Southern Boulevard in Palm Beach instead of taking the oath in Washington," Amirata said. ALONG THE WAY — "Cheers, flashes of anger on Trump's final motorcade salute along Southern Boulevard," by Palm Beach Post's Wendy Rhodes: "Some supporters eagerly vented their frustration, wearing shirts and waving flags emblazoned with profanities directed at Biden and Democrats. Others sought out, or engaged in, heated confrontations. Shortly after the crowd began building up — around 9:30 a.m. — one Trump supporter verbally berated media from South Florida news organizations, spewing conspiracy theories and false information as cameras rolled. Others began hurling epithets and insults at media from across the United States and as far away as Japan and Sweden who were there to cover the final moments of the Trump presidency." — "'Trumplicans' greet Donald Trump in South Florida after snub of Biden inauguration," by Miami Herald's David Smiley and Martin Vassolo: — "As Trump lands in Florida, Sunshine State serves as stage for post-presidential drama," by Sarasota Herald-Tribune's Zac Anderson — "Trump says he won't be 'sitting in Florida' with regrets," by Palm Beach Post's Antonio Fins SWAMPY — "Trump's 'crony pardons' flabbergast the political world ," by POLITICO's David Siders: Between the pardons granted earlier in his term and those dispensed on Tuesday night, Trump's record of clemency will serve for historians as a Who's Who of Trump's orbit, beginning with his first impeachment. And it will etch into Trump's legacy the use of one of the commander-in-chief's most preeminent powers as a province of the politically subservient, the well-connected and the rich. "The granting of even more sleazy crony pardons as the clock ran out on his one term," said Benjamin Ginsberg, a nationally recognized elections lawyer who has represented past Republican presidential nominees, "will define the nature of his presidency." — "Trump's late-night pardons have a Sunshine State feel," by POLITICO's Gary Fineout — "Trump issues pardon for Bannon, his former adviser, but leaves out Sarasota County man," by Sarasota Herald-Tribune's Chris Anderson ANOTHER FLORIDA MAN CHARGED — "Proud Boys organizer arrested in Central Florida on charges from U.S. Capitol riot," by Orlando Sentinel's Jeff Weiner and Grace Toohey: "A man described as an organizer for the far-right nationalist group the Proud Boys faced a judge in Orlando after being arrested on federal charges Wednesday, accused of participating in the mob that overran the U.S. Capitol this month. According to an affidavit prepared by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Joseph Randall Biggs, 37, was spotted in photos and videos Jan. 6 among those who stormed the Capitol, and was involved in organizing Proud Boys activities in the period leading up to the riot." — " Pensacola man arrested in Capitol siege grew more agitated over summer," by Pensacola News Journal's Emma Kennedy 'I DID A DOUBLE TAKE' — "Trump's order to halt deportations to Venezuela — a 'gift' or 'cop out'? Experts weigh in," by Miami Herald's Monique O. Madan, Sonia Osorio and Alex Daugherty: "Madeleine Leon's eyes went wide, her jaw, ajar. The news that during his last night as president Tuesday, Donald Trump issued an executive order suspending the deportation of Venezuelans in the U.S. left her "sweaty, confused and pleasantly surprised." 'I was a madwoman — a happy one running all around the house,' the Venezuelan asylum seeker told the Miami Herald as she sat beside her husband. 'We truly couldn't believe our eyes, that Trump did that considering the past four years of his strict immigration policies.'" GUESS WHO ELSE WAS SURPRISED? — "Trump leaves QAnon and the online MAGA world crushed and confused," by POLITICO's Tina Nguyen and Mark Scott: Trump's anti-immigrant base, who'd been with him since his initial run for the presidency in 2015, flipped out when he granted amnesty to tens of thousands of Venezuelan migrants. "Please vote to convict," Ann Coulter tweeted to GOP senators. — "Marco Rubio invokes Richard Nixon, floats Donald Trump pardon," by Florida Politics' A.G. Gancarski — "A politician in Trump-loving Hialeah has left the Republican Party. Here's why," by Miami Herald's Aaron Leibowitz | | CORONAVIRUS UPDATES | | ON HOLD — "Fla Surgeon General on vaccine wait: 'We will get to you,'" by Associated Press's Bobby Caina Calvan: "In an interview with The Associated Press, Dr. Scott Rivkees sought to reassure Floridians that their turn will come for the life-saving vaccine, which has been in short supply since being rolled out last month. 'The message is this: We will get to you,' Rivkees said in the telephone interview. 'We are in a situation where we are awaiting additional supply, and as more supply gets available, we will get it to those of you in the public.'" MEANWHILE — " Seniors' vaccine hopes are crushed as more than 250,000 rush for Publix sign-up," by Sun Sentinel's Lisa J. Huriash: "A quarter of a million people jammed the supermarket chain's website all at once Wednesday, but only 24,402 appointment slots were up for grabs — and they were gone in less than two hours statewide. Seniors say trying to get the vaccine has been a nightmare: It's been a test of their stamina as they get repeatedly shut out of appointments through various sign-up sites. They can expect more of the same for many weeks, experts say." IT TAKES TWO — "More than 40,000 Floridians overdue for second coronavirus shots," by Tampa Bay Times' Allison Ross: "More than 40,000 people in Florida are overdue for their second shot of a coronavirus vaccine, according to state data. Both of the coronavirus vaccines approved for use in the United States require two doses per person to be fully effective, with Pfizer-BioNTech recommending a second dose after three weeks and Moderna vaccine doses scheduled four weeks apart. More than 1 million people in Florida have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, according to state data from Tuesday. Of those, 100,351 have come back for their second shots and another 44,470 were listed as overdue for second doses." — "50,000 sign up in first hour for COVID-19 vaccine in Sarasota, plus new residency rules and second dose," by Sarasota Herald-Tribune's Louis Llovio — "Almost a third of Broward students faring poorly in school amid pandemic, officials say," by Miami Herald's David Goodhue | | ... DATELINE TALLAHASSEE ... | | FOR YOUR RADAR — "Former DEM contractor sues agency chief over disaster funding," by POLITICO's Arek Sarkissian: A company started by a former Florida Division of Emergency Management official is suing state disaster chief Jared Moskowitz, arguing an outside accounting firm hired to oversee billions of dollars in FEMA funding was pressured to sever a subcontract with his business without cause. The case was filed by the Marianna-based Capital Engineering and Consulting in Leon County Circuit Court last month and has not been previously reported. It argues Moskowitz forced a DEM contractor to fire the company and then hire another firm involved in separate legal case against the agency. | | PENINSULA AND BEYOND | | DIGITAL RECRUITMENT — "Miami mayor's tech Twitter campaign caught Elon Musk's attention. What's next?" by Miami Herald's Douglas Hanks and Joey Flechas: "Less than 72 hours after a brief online exchange with the world's wealthiest tech mogul, Miami Mayor Francis Suarez was still crowing about the moment Wednesday morning. 'When you're tweeting with Elon Musk at 4 o'clock in the morning — and you have the county mayor getting involved as well — you know that something special is going on,' a black-masked Suarez said from the back of the Miami-Dade Commission chambers after endorsing a resolution promoting the recruitment of technology firms to the county. 'Amazing things can happen.'" WASHINGTON ON YOUR SIDE — "Despite criticism and protests, Oakes Farms does big business with federal government," by Naples Daily News' Laura Layden: "Naples business owner Alfie Oakes makes no bones about his disgust with Congress — or his love for President Donald Trump. It's why the farmer and major food retailer and distributor participated in the recent "Save America March" in Washington, D.C. on the day of the riots at the Capitol — and funded two busloads of local supporters to attend the pro-Trump rally. His controversial political views, statements and protests aren't stopping Oakes from seeking, winning and keeping federal contracts as a supplier of fresh produce — and other foods…In this fiscal year alone, Oakes Farms has been awarded more than $70 million through contracts with the departments of agriculture, justice and defense." GONE — "Fort Myers City Council votes to remove pedestal that held Robert E. Lee bust," by Fort Myers News-Press Bill Smith: "The Fort Myers City Council voted unanimously Tuesday night to remove the Monroe Street pedestal on which the bust had spent more than a half-century. The removal may mean the controversial bust never again commands an official presence in Fort Myers. The turning point leading to keeping the bust off city streets was an hour-long celebration of the Confederate Army hero on the day before Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The local contingent of the Florida Sons of Confederate Veterans, which has possession of the bust, sponsored the event Sunday." — "Marlon Brown makes history, becoming Sarasota's first Black city manager," by Sarasota Herald-Tribune's Timothy Fanning | | ODDS, ENDS, AND FLORIDA MEN | | BIRTHDAYS: Former state Senate President Tom Lee … Jon Costello, president at Capitol Strategy Group ... Will Holley, partner Firehouse Strategies
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