| | | | | |  | | By Gary Fineout | Good Monday morning. The daily rundown — Between Saturday and Sunday, the number of Florida coronavirus cases increased by 12,313 (0.8 percent), to 1,477,010; active hospitalizations went up by 61 (0.8 percent), to 7,497; deaths rose by 108 (nearly 0.5 percent), to 22,912. The next chapter — Well, here we go again. The aftermath of last week's shocking invasion of the U.S. Capitol has triggered a new push to impeach President Donald Trump just days before he is scheduled to leave office. Still divided — And just like the first impeachment revealed a deep fissure among Florida Republicans and Democrats, the new effort appears poised to do so as well. Remember,13 out of 15 Florida Republicans in the House still voted to object to the certification of President-elect Joe Biden's election hours after the Capitol was overrun. "Ridiculous" — On Fox News on Sunday, Sen. Marco Rubio, who did vote to certify Biden's win acknowledged that Trump "does bear some responsibility" for what happened at the U.S. Capitol and he lashed out at the mob as "wackos" and "nutjobs." But then Rubio faulted Democrats who "have chosen to use this as an opportunity to talk about ridiculous things like 'let's impeach a president' who isn't going to be in office in about nine days." Sen. Rick Scott's office put out a statement asserting that Trump "has committed to an orderly transition" and that it's time to "take the crazy rhetoric down on both sides." (Scott voted to object to the certification of Biden electors after the riot.) Gaetz says Trump not leaving 'public stage' — Rep. Matt Gaetz, one of Trump biggest cheerleaders, also took to Fox News on Sunday , where he called an impeachment effort "unnecessary" and "divisive" and contended that Democrats wanted to do "keep the focus on President Trump." Gaetz also said that he talked to Trump on Sunday that "he's not resigning and he's not leaving the public stage at all." Gaetz maintained that Trump, despite many Republicans turning against him, will remain the "inspirational leader" of the party. Democrats using A word — Contrast this with Sunday's statement from Rep. Stephanie Murphy, a centrist Democrat and potential statewide candidate in 2024: "Congress has a constitutional and moral obligation to provide a check and balance on the president; to hold him accountable for inciting violence and insurrection; and to preserve and protect the Constitution of the United States. I will fulfill my oath. I support impeachment." Rep. Ted Deutch, a South Florida Democrat, went on CBS 4 in Miami and said that House Democrats needed to move forward on impeachment if Trump was not forced out of office by the 25th amendment. "This is not about making a statement, this is about the preserving the security of our country and our democracy." — 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 | | | | A NEW YEAR, A NEW CONGRESS, A NEW HUDDLE: It was an ugly and heartbreaking week inside the Capitol, particularly for all of those who work on the Hill. How are lawmakers planning to move forward? How will security change? How will a new Senate majority impact the legislative agenda? With so much at stake, our new Huddle author Olivia Beavers brings you the most important news and critical insight from Capitol Hill with help from POLITICO's deeply sourced Congress team. Subscribe to Huddle, the essential guide to understanding Congress. It has never been more important. SUBSCRIBE NOW. | | | | |
|  | TRUMPLANDIA AND THE SWAMP | | THE IN-CROWD — "Records show fervent Trump fans fueled US Capitol takeover," by Associated Press' Michael Biesecker, Michael Kunzelman, Gillian Flaccus and Jim Mustian: "The insurrectionist mob that stormed the U.S. Capitol at the president's behest last week was overwhelmingly made up of longtime Trump supporters, including Republican Party officials, GOP political donors, far-right militants, white supremacists, and adherents of the QAnon myth that the government is secretly controlled by a cabal of Satan-worshiping pedophile cannibals. Records show that some were heavily armed and included convicted criminals, such as a Florida man recently released from prison for attempted murder." ... There may also have been off-duty police officers among the rioters who broke into the Capitol. — "Man shown carrying Nancy Pelosi's lectern at Capitol riots arrested," by POLITICO's Evan Semones RUBIO'S... TAKE — " Rubio compares U.S. Capitol storming with Black Lives Matter protests," by Orlando Sentinel's Steven Lemongello: "U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio released a video Friday comparing the attack on the Capitol by a pro-Trump mob with Black Lives Matter protests, saying the unprecedented assault was similar to what the left had been 'justifying' this past summer in cities across America. 'The events that we saw this week should sicken every single one of us ... Riots should be rejected by everyone, every single time,' Rubio said. 'Now, are the left hypocrites? Absolutely. I remember what they now are calling 'insurrection,' they were justifying just this summer.'" | 
Rioters supporting President Donald Trump storm the U.S. Capitol. | Win McNamee/Getty Images | RUBIO'S TAKE, PART 2 — "Rubio waited until after Capitol attack to say politicians lied to Trump rioters," by Miami Herald's Alex Daugherty: "Florida Sen. Marco Rubio said Friday in a video that the people who stormed the U.S. Capitol were 'lied to by politicians who were telling them that the vice president had the power to change the election results.' But in the days before the attack that appalled the world and resulted in five deaths, Rubio made no public effort to counter what he now calls a lie pushed by politicians he didn't name. Nor would he talk when asked this week about a last-ditch attempt by his fellow Senate Republicans to overturn the election by blocking President-elect Joe Biden's formal certification, though he later voted against it." AFTERMATH — "It's a post-Trump world soon: How will Florida Republicans navigate it?" by Palm Beach Post's Christine Stapleton and Wendy Rhodes: "Now, Florida Republicans and political strategists are wondering how the party will recover from damage caused by Trump's inflicted wounds and what role the soon-to-be ex-president and Florida will play in rebuilding the party. 'It does not change his pull with the working-class voters,' said Blair Brandt, a West Palm Beach-based political strategist and Republican fundraiser. 'I think it could hurt with some of the more 'elite', 'sophisticated' Republicans in the donor class, especially the ones who have always been on the fence.'" Moving ahead without him? — "As for the future of Florida's Republican Party, [U.S. Rep. Michael] Waltz would like to see it support what he said are Trump's many policies that Never Trumpers often agree with when they take the president's persona out of the equation. 'I'd like to see us talk less about the style and personality and demeanor and talk more about the substance,' Waltz said of Trump's presidency. 'Do we agree with the direction he took us over the last four years and do we want to continue that? I, very clearly, do.'" — "Trump won't attend Biden's inauguration: Will he move to Mar-a-Lago soon?" by Palm Beach Post's Christine Stapleton ... "Trump wants to leave Washington before Biden is sworn in, in part because he wants to fly to Florida on Air Force One " one last time. — "Carlos Gimenez has medical emergency, cancels TV interview to discuss electoral votes," by Miami Herald's Alex Daugherty — "Harrowing day at the Capitol doesn't change Steube's vote against Electoral College results ," by Sarasota Herald-Tribune's Zac Anderson COMING ON BOARD — "Joe Biden tapping those with Tallahassee ties for his incoming administration," by Tallahassee Democrat's James Call: "On Friday, Florida A&M University grad Vincent Evans was announced as Deputy Director of Public Engagement and Intergovernmental Affairs for President-elect Joe Biden. Evans had been political director for Vice President-elect Kamala Harris….Evans will be joined in Washington by Karen Andre, another former [Andrew] Gillum staffer. Andre will be a special assistant to the president for personnel. She was a senior advisor to Gillum leading up to his win in the Democratic primary. She then served as interim executive director for Forward Florida Action, his nonprofit voter registration group, before joining Organizing Together 2020, a labor-backed coalition, as its Florida political director. Biden also named Ashley Williams as Deputy director of Oval Office Operations. Raised in Tallahassee, Williams has spent the past decade working for Biden in some capacity. She will become the first Black woman to hold the position of deputy director in the White House." | | | | KEEP UP WITH THE FIRST 100 DAYS OF THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION WITH TRANSITION PLAYBOOK: It was a dark week in American history, and a new administration will have to pick up the pieces. Transition Playbook brings you inside the last days of this crucial transfer of power, tracking the latest from President-elect Biden and his growing administration. Written for political insiders, this scoop-filled newsletter breaks big news and analyzes the appointments, people, and the emerging power centers of the new administration. Track the transition and the first 100 days of the incoming Biden administration. Subscribe today. | | | | |
| | TRAIL MIX | | REPAIR JOB — "Florida Democrats tap former Miami mayor to resurrect shell-shocked party," by POLITICO's Gary Fineout: Florida Democrats pinned their hopes to Manny Diaz on Saturday, entrusting the former Miami mayor to revive the party's fortunes after a disastrous election cycle where President Donald Trump won the state and Democrats lost congressional and legislative seats. Diaz defeated two other candidates for the chairmanship during the annual meeting of the Florida Democratic Party, which was held virtually due to the coronavirus pandemic. "Our Florida Democratic Party is at a crossroads," Diaz said just before the vote. "While Democrats all over the nation make gains, we continue to lose ground. We continue to lose elections." — "Why an ex-Miami mayor might succeed in the 'most thankless job in Florida politics,'" by Miami Herald's David Smiley CC: SCOTT, RUBIO, DESANTIS — " Trump allies warn him not to run in 2024," by POLITICO's Anita Kumar: In interviews, more than half a dozen Republicans who had supported or worked for Trump say the president isn't likely to run again, though he may tease it. If Trump changes his mind again and chooses to run, some said they would urge him not to, while others hope he'd be talked out of it. "I think nothing is going to happen," said a Trump friend. "He won't be around in 2024. He's not going to run. He's going to f---around and say he's going to run. … He'll tease. I don't think he's ever going to say 'I won't run.' He just won't run." | | CORONAVIRUS UPDATES | | 'IT'S CRAZY HERE'— "'It became sort of lawless': Florida vaccine rollout turns into a free-for-all," by New York Times' Patricia Mazzei, Eric Adelson and Kate Kelly: "Florida is in an alarming new upward spiral, with nearly 20,000 cases of the virus reported on Friday and more than 15,000 on Saturday. But the state's well-intended effort to throw open the doors of the vaccine program to everyone 65 and older has led to long lines, confusion and disappointment. States across the country, even as they race to finish vaccinating health care employees, nursing home residents and emergency workers, are under pressure from residents to reach a broader section of the public. Florida, which has already prioritized a large swath of its population to receive the vaccine, illustrates the challenges of expanding a vaccination program being developed at record speed and with limited federal assistance." DISPATCH FROM THE VILLAGES — "Villagers impatiently waiting for their turn to receive COVID-19 vaccine," by Villages-News' Meta Minton: "Village of Piedmont resident Lee Thorell, who is 82 years old, said he was a fan of Gov. Ron DeSantis. The situation appeared hopeful last month when the governor came to The Villages and promised that Florida's seniors would be moved to the front of the line for vaccination. DeSantis watched as five high-profile Villagers with ties to the GOP were vaccinated. And then he left town. Thorell said The Villages has been woefully shorted on the vaccine. 'We are elderly and we cannot stand in line,' he said. Villager Barbara O'Hare agreed the governor's plan has fallen far short. 'Where is the vaccine we were promised?' she asked. CONSEQUENCES? — "Vaccine favoritism could lead to fewer doses for offending facilities, DeSantis says," by Miami Herald's Ana Ceballos: "Gov. Ron DeSantis on Sunday was hesitant to call for penalties for instances where favoritism is played in vaccine distribution but said the state could potentially start sending fewer doses to offending facilities. At a press conference in the Panhandle city of Lynn Haven, DeSantis said instances where people jump in line at odds with his administration's vaccine distribution guidelines is 'not what we are looking for.' 'I don't know necessarily about penalties or what,' he said. 'But if someone is not doing it right and they are not following what we want, then obviously we can distribute vaccines to other places instead as we go forward.'" — "DeSantis doubles down on vaccinating seniors first as criticism mounts on his handling of the rollout," by Sun Sentinel's Susannah Bryan — "Florida's congressional delegation asks Gov. DeSantis for details on vaccinations," by News Service of Florida — "Rick Scott blasts Surgeon General silence on Florida vaccine distribution plan," by Florida Politics' A.G. Gancarski — "DeSantis: 7 Florida sites offer COVID-19 vaccines to seniors in partnership with churches ," by Panama City News Herald's Tony Mixon — "What is Florida's plan for vaccinating thousands of farmworkers? It's unclear," by Naples Daily News' Janine Zeitlin — "Football nixes COVID-19 testing at Hard Rock Stadium ," by WPTV's Peter Burke RISING — "As COVID-19 surges, experts caution Florida is in 'unchartered territory,'" by Orlando Sentinel's Ryan Gillespie: "Even amid excitement over tens of thousands of COVID-19 vaccine doses being injected across the region and state, Central Florida is teetering at dangerous levels of virus spread, experts say. Each of Orange, Osceola, Seminole and Lake Counties have maintained double-digit percentages of positive tests over the past 10 days, and those numbers could continue to grow, experts warned this week. The region has not yet realized the worst of spikes associated with holiday gatherings spanning Thanksgiving to New Year's, said Dr. Marissa Levine, the former state health commissioner of Virginia and current professor of public health at the University of South Florida." MORE THAN 100K CASES IN 1 WEEK — "COVID-19 cases surge 21.7% in Florida," by USA Today Network's Mike Stucka: "New coronavirus cases leaped in Florida in the week ending Saturday, rising 21.7% as 109,864 cases were reported. The previous week had 90,245 new cases of the virus that causes COVID-19. Florida ranked No. 22 among the states where coronavirus was spreading the fastest on a per-person basis, a USA TODAY Network analysis of Johns Hopkins University data shows." — "Sen. Kathleen Passidomo tests positive for COVID-19, has 'mild, cold-like symptoms ,' by Naples Daily News' Thaddeus Mast — "Number of admitted COVID-19 patients at UF Health hits pandemic high," by First Coast News' Josslyn Howard and Mindy Wadley — " Chief Judge orders shutdown of all in-person court functions until Feb. 22," by First Coast News' Anne Schindler — "Lee Schools: More than 5,600 virtual students joining in-person studies Monday, more to come," by Fort Myers News-Press' Pamela McCabe | | ... DATELINE TALLAHASSEE ... | | 'A TALE OF TWO YEARS' — "DeSantis reaches midpoint of his term with state changed by virus, divided by his leadership," by Sarasota Herald-Tribune's John Kennedy: "Two years after he was sworn in as Florida governor, Republican Ron DeSantis faces a future without his biggest benefactor, President Donald Trump, in a state thoroughly changed by the coronavirus and starkly divided over his leadership. On Friday, DeSantis reached the midpoint of his four-year term. But in performance and personality, the governor seems, for many, light years removed from his introduction to Floridians on the sun-splashed January day he took office. 'It's a tale of two years,' said House Democratic co-leader Evan Jenne, D-Dania Beach. 'A lot of us liked his first year, the appointments he made and some of the policies he pushed. But year two went off the rails fast ... all of 2020 was just one misstep after another.'" | | PENINSULA AND BEYOND | | 'PREVENTABLE'— "Manatees had a terrible 2020. Rainfall and floodgates are party to blame," by Miami Herald's Adriana Brasileiro: "In a year when a third of manatee fatalities in Florida were not investigated because COVID-19 restrictions limited necropsies and boat strikes once again topped deaths caused by humans, one indicator stood out: manatees killed by floodgates and locks. Of a total of 619 deaths in Florida's waterways last year, 10 manatees were crushed or drowned in flood control structures, according to the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's preliminary mortality report. It may seem like a small number compared with the 90 animals that died after being hit by boats. But it's twice the number of manatees killed by flood gates last year, and more than double the average of four deaths over the past five years." — "State attorney's office will not charge Hendry deputies involved in shooting of Black men," by Fort Myers News-Press Devan Patel | | ODDS, ENDS AND FLORIDA MEN | | BIRTHDAYS: Toni Large, managing director at Large Strategies … (Was Saturday) Lisa Miller, former deputy insurance commissioner and CEO of Lisa Miller & Associates
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