| | | | | |  | | By Gary Fineout | Hello and welcome to Friday. Sunshine State showdown — For Nikki Fried, Charlie Crist, Val Demings and other prominent Democrats hoping to topple Gov. Ron DeSantis and Marco Rubio next year, it's as simple as this: Over the next few days (maybe weeks), they will find out whether national Democrats and those surrounding President Joe Biden plan to write off Florida for the foreseeable future. Not united — It's clear that there is a stark divide in the party — witness last night's Twitter debate over the embargo between Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and former Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell — over what actions the United States should take in response to the ongoing (and remarkable) protests on the island nation of Cuba. Starting to take a stand — Biden on Thursday did weigh in, calling Cuba a "failed state" and making it clear he opposed remittances right now (a restriction put in place by the Trump administration) because the money would be confiscated by the regime. But it's unclear if the White House plans to make any other concrete move even as Republicans engage in a barrage of criticism. The 2020 debacle — Democrats whiffed on races up and down the ballot in the 2020 election cycle. A key factor was what happened in Miami-Dade where Democrats saw not one, but two incumbent members of Congress go down in defeat in part because of lackluster and inconsistent response to criticisms that Democrats are soft on socialism and communism. Writing on the wall — The longer the Biden administration contemplates its "review" of its Cuba policy and fails to act, it just feeds into the GOP narrative no matter how times Democrats decry it as false and misleading. Friends like these — But let's put that aside for a moment: Democrats in Florida the last few days have publicly called on the Biden administration to ... do something. Anything. If he continues to ignore members of his own party in the third largest state in the nation, then that will be proof that Florida's days as a battleground are indeed over. And it will be a bright signal to Demings, Fried and Crist and Florida Democratic Party chair Manny Diaz for 2022: You are on your own. — 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 | | | | STEP INSIDE THE WEST WING: What's really happening in West Wing offices? Find out who's up, who's down, and who really has the president's ear in our West Wing Playbook newsletter, the insider's guide to the Biden White House and Cabinet. For buzzy nuggets and details that you won't find anywhere else, subscribe today. | | | | |
|  | DRIVING THE DAY | | THE NEVER-ENDING "REVIEW" — "Biden slow walks Cuba action," by POLITICO's Marc Caputo and Sabrina Rodriguez: Cuba's dictatorship quickly shut down the internet across the island and then blocked social media apps after demonstrators shared images of protesters across the island chanting for liberty, calling for an end to the 62-year-old regime and being beaten and arrested by authorities. In the U.S., President Joe Biden's administration has been slow to react. But Republicans haven't stopped talking since the protests began on Sunday. On Thursday, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, two Miami GOP House lawmakers and a federal communications official called on the Biden administration to instantly greenlight a special type of high-altitude communications system and other technology that would enable Cuban citizens to evade the communist government's censorship. WEIGHING IN — "Biden: Cuba a 'failed state,'" by POLITICO's Myah Ward: President Joe Biden on Thursday said Cuba is a "failed state" that is "repressing" its citizens, in his sharpest comments to date on the protests that have erupted on the communist island nation. In his remarks, delivered during a press conference at the White House with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Biden condemned communism as a "failed system," adding that socialism is not a "very useful substitute." | 
MIAMI, FLORIDA - JULY 13: Protesters shut down part of the Palmetto Expressway as they show their support for the people in Cuba that have taken to the streets to protest on July 13, 2021 in Miami, Florida. On Sunday, thousands of Cubans took to the streets across the country to protest pandemic restrictions, the pace of Covid-19 vaccinations and the Cuban government. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) | Joe Raedle/Getty Images | UNSOCIAL MEDIA — "AOC's Cuba tweet draws fiery response from Florida Dem," by POLITICO's Jonathan Custodio: Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez on Thursday ran into opposition from a prominent Florida Democrat after she called for the U.S. to end its embargo on Cuba, underlining divisions within the party on how to respond to the communist country's recent upheaval. "We also must name the U.S contribution to Cuban suffering: our sixty-year-old embargo," Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) tweeted. "I outright reject the Biden administration's defense of the embargo. It is never acceptable for us to use cruelty as a point of leverage against every day people." — "Miami Democrats, progressives and Black Lives Matter torn on Cuba protests response," by Miami Herald's Alex Daugherty PAVEMENT POLITICS — "DeSantis asks protesters to stay out of Florida roads in reversal on anti-riot law," by POLITICO's Gary Fineout: On Tuesday, DeSantis sidestepped a question about whether authorities should arrest people blocking roads as part of protests in solidarity with Cuba. Those demonstrations popped up in several cities as Cuban Americans voice their support to Cuban protesters who are demanding an end to the authoritarian regime that has controlled the island nation for the past six decades. On Thursday, the governor reversed course and said that authorities could not "tolerate" people blocking roads. "It's dangerous for you to be shutting down a thoroughfare," DeSantis said during a press conference with Florida GOP Reps. María Salazar and Carlos Giménez calling on the Biden administration to help restore Internet access to Cuba. Defending new law — Rep. Juan Fernandez-Barquin (R-Miami), one of the sponsors of the new law, challenged criticisms that it was being unevenly applied. He had seen footage of the demonstrators in Tampa and said they "deserved to be arrested" since it appeared as they were resisting police with violence. He said he had spoken to highway troopers who dealt with a large group blocking the Palmetto Expressway in Miami, and that the crowd began to disperse once police told them that they were engaged in an unlawful assembly. MEANWHILE — " SOS Cuba protesters granted bail after being held in Tampa under 'anti-riot' law," by Tampa Bay Times' Juan Carlos Chavez and Tony Marrero: "Circuit Judge Catherine M. Catlin granted the request for bail pending trial, $17,500 for [Julian] Rodriguez-Rodriguez and $4,000 for [Maikel] Vazquez-Pico. In announcing her decision, Catlin noted her rulings during bail hearings last summer following the Black Lives Matter protests in Tampa. 'I am proud of this country that allows us to express our opinions,' she said, 'but I encourage you to always make these protests peaceful.' Neither Catlin nor defense attorney Victor L. Zamora made reference during the hearing to the anti-riot law, known HB 1. But afterward, Zamora said he blamed the law for the two days his clients spent behind bars. 'What I do have is an opinion on how that law should be applied and, in this case, I think they should never have been incarcerated,' he said." WINDING DOWN — "Recovery effort at collapsed building could end soon," by The Associated Press: "The recovery efforts for a South Florida condo building that collapsed last month might be coming to an end soon. Miami-Dade police identified six more victims of the Surfside condo collapse Thursday, meaning that 92 of the 97 confirmed dead have been identified as the recovery enters a final stretch. County officials have been able to account for at least 240 people connected to the building, with just a few people still classified as missing, or 'potentially unaccounted for.' A cause has not yet been pinpointed for the collapse, although there were several previous warnings of major structural damage at the 40-year-old building." — "'We didn't have Surfside then.' Charlie Crist reflects on 2010 repeal of inspection law," by USA Today Network-Florida's Mark Harper and Zac Anderson | | ... DATELINE TALLAHASSEE ... | | SHOW ME THE MONEY — "DeSantis says his $1K teacher bonuses are 'good to go.' But are they?" by POLITICO's Andrew Atterbury: Gov. Ron DeSantis insists that his legislative priority of sending $1,000 pandemic bonuses to Florida's teachers and principals is "good to go" — but the state Department of Education has yet to respond to recent scrutiny from the Biden administration over the use of federal Covid-19 aid. While the Republican governor this week said the federal stimulus cash "absolutely can be used for bonuses," some policy experts say Florida may need to make budget accommodations to meet federal guidelines for spending the education dollars. Florida, though, appears to be moving ahead with the bonuses, which DeSantis said are on pace to reach the pockets of teachers next month. | | | | SUBSCRIBE TO "THE RECAST" TODAY: Power is shifting in Washington and in communities across the country. More people are demanding a seat at the table, insisting that politics is personal and not all policy is equitable. The Recast is a twice-weekly newsletter that explores the changing power dynamics in Washington and breaks down how race and identity are recasting politics and policy in America. Get fresh insights, scoops and dispatches on this crucial intersection from across the country and hear critical new voices that challenge business as usual. Don't miss out, SUBSCRIBE . Thank you to our sponsor, Intel. | | | | |
| | CAMPAIGN MODE | | FRIED ADDS TO TEAM — Democratic candidate for governor Nikki Fried is bringing on Marissa Tully as deputy finance director for her campaign. Tully has worked for other Democrats, including as finance director for Adam Hattersley's congressional campaign, deputy regional finance director for Sen. Amy Klobuchar's presidential campaign, and Central Florida finance director for former Sen. Bill Nelson's reelection effort in 2018. 'IT'S NOT ABOUT LABELS' — " Florida progressives have growing power, but where are their candidates?" by Tampa Bay Times Steve Contorno and Romy Ellenbogen: "The state's marquee races have not attracted a recognizable name from the [Bernie] Sanders wing of the Democratic Party, and few expect one to emerge. The choice for Democrats in next year's gubernatorial primary is so far between a former Republican governor (Rep. Charlie Crist) and an ex-corporate lobbyist (Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried). Rep. Val Demings, a former Orlando police chief, is the clear front runner to challenge Sen. Marco Rubio next November." | | Gaetz-gate | | PART OF THE TEAM — "Matt Gaetz hired legal firm used by Jeffrey Epstein and El Chapo, campaign reports shows," by Tampa Bay Times' Steve Contorno: "With his legal troubles still looming over him, U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz's campaign paid $25,000 last month to a law firm that represented convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, Mexican drug lord El Chapo and former mobsters, according to his most recent campaign finance report. In all, Gaetz's campaign paid $50,000 in legal expenses in June, pushing the Florida Republican's total campaign legal costs in the past year to over $135,000." ALLIES — " Gaetz reaches out for Trump lifeline," by Axios' Lachlan Markay: "The Gaetz campaign committee's second-quarter filing with the Federal Election Commission shows sizable payments to a number of Trumpworld luminaries. Former Trump campaign adviser and surrogate Harlan Hill is by far Gaetz's largest vendor. His firm, the Logan Circle Group, was paid about $737,000 in Q2, itemized as "advertising" and 'strategic campaign consulting.' Gaetz's third-largest vendor was a consulting firm affiliated with Kash Patel, a former Trump Pentagon aide. The campaign's $120,000 in fundraising consulting payments to the firm, Trishul LLC, listed a D.C. address owned by Patel. That's not all. Gaetz's campaign has paid $20,000 this year to a Florida consulting firm called Drake Ventures LLC, which is run by Trump operative Roger Stone. 'THIS IS A VERY VERY PRIVATE DEAL' — "Pirozzolo touted access to Matt Gaetz before Bahamas trip that became part of corruption probe," by Orlando Sentinel's Jason Garcia: "In 2018, about a week before Orlando doctor and medical marijuana entrepreneur Jason Pirozzolo took a weekend trip to The Bahamas with U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz and then-state Rep. Halsey Beshears, Pirozzolo offered another marijuana investor the chance to join them. ' … [W]hat if I could get you on a private trip to the Bahamas next week with congressman Gaetz and rep Halsey beshears [sic],' Pirozzolo wrote in a message reviewed by the Orlando Sentinel. Pirozzolo went on to underscore the influence the two men wielded, noting Beshears, a Republican from near Tallahassee, was expected to soon become the chairperson of the state House committee in charge of healthcare spending and would have a 'direct connect' to the Florida Department of Health, which regulates the state's billion-dollar marijuana industry." | | TRUMPLANDIA AND THE SWAMP | | ONE NIGHT ONLY — "Ticket sales are moving slowly for coming Trump-O'Reilly stadium tour," by POLITICO's Daniel Lippman: The events are not until the end of the year, Trump's camp notes. But so far, the pace of purchases has been slow compared to other acts, arena officials say. In Orlando, where the duo is hosting an event at the 20,000-capacity Amway Center on Dec. 12, a box office employee for the arena said, "There's still a lot of tickets open." The person, who like others for this story insisted on anonymity to share confidential sales data, added: "We have concerts that are doing a lot better than this." 'WE STORMED THE CAPITOL' — "Windermere police officer arrested in Capitol riot along with ex-Apopka cop son," by Orlando Sentinel's Jeff Weiner and Monivette Cordeiro: "A Windermere Police Department officer resigned and was arrested Thursday on charges that he participated in the January riot at the U.S. Capitol — the first member of Central Florida law enforcement to face charges in the attempted insurrection. After federal prosecutors announced the arrests of Officer Kevin A. Tuck and his son Nathaniel A. Tuck, a former Apopka police officer, they both appeared before a judge at the federal courthouse in downtown Orlando." SETTLING DOWN — "Jared and Ivanka paid $24M for this waterfront Indian Creek estate: sources," by The Real Deal's Katherine Kallergis: "Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner acquired a waterfront South Florida home — a six-bedroom, 8,510-square-foot mansion — for $24 million, The Real Deal has learned. Trump and Kushner, who famously flew down to Miami to ride out their post-White House lives, acquired the home at 36 Indian Creek Island Road, according to sources. … The 1.3-acre estate, with manicured landscaping, reflecting pools, a double staircase, a resort-style pool and a large dock, hit the market in October for nearly $25 million." | | PENINSULA AND BEYOND | | THE PLAN — "Records reveal how Haitian American held in assassination probe financed a 'personal security' team," by Washington Post's Shawn Boburg, Anthony Faiola, Samantha Schmidt and Dalton Bennett: "In a spacious meeting room overlooking the courthouse in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., a vision to 'save Haiti' took shape. The $83 billion effort would reinvent the Western Hemisphere's poorest nation, lavishing it with roadways, electricity grids, seaports and airports. Haiti's new dawn, attendees at the May 12 meeting were told, would be led by Christian Emmanuel Sanon — a 63-year-old Haitian American and self-described pastor and physician now detained in Haiti in connection with the investigation into the audacious assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moïse." 'A BIG DAY FOR ORLANDO' — "New Disney regional hub at Lake Nona in Orlando will house 2,000+ jobs relocating from California," by Orlando Sentinel's Austin Fuller: "A new Disney regional hub in Orlando's Lake Nona community will be home to more than 2,000 professional jobs relocating from California, the company revealed Thursday afternoon. The average wage for the positions is $120,000 annually, according to Tim Giuliani, Orlando Economic Partnership president and CEO. 'It's a big day for Disney,' Giuliani said. 'It's a big day for Lake Nona. It's a big day for Orlando.'" — " St. Petersburg council to DeSantis: Declare Red Tide emergency," by Tampa Bay Times' Jake Sheridan | | ODDS, ENDS, AND FLORIDA MEN | | — "Florida 'white supremacist gang' members indicted on kidnapping, assault charges," by Tampa Bay Times' Kathryn Varn: "A grand jury has indicted 16 members of a Florida white supremacist group on kidnapping, assault and racketeering charges, federal authorities announced Thursday. The U.S. Department of Justice unsealed a 19-page indictment implicating members of the group, called Unforgiven — including four from the greater Tampa Bay area. One charge stems from an assault last summer at a Peace Walk for Black Lives that a Department of Justice spokesperson said took place at the Hernando County courthouse in Brooksville." BIRTHDAYS: Former Rep. Michael Bilirakis … Alexis Fowler, deputy general counsel for Florida Lottery … Former state Sen. J.D. Alexander ... Doug Martin, president of Gray Fox Strategies ... Bob Gabordi , former executive editor at Florida Today and Tallahassee Democrat … Former Rep. Ross Spano
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