| | | | | |  | | By Gary Fineout | Presented by USA-IT | Breaking overnight — A shakeup in Trumpworld has led to former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi taking charge of the pro-Trump super PAC, Make America Great Again Action. Bondi is replacing Corey Lewandowski, following allegations that he made unwanted sexual advances toward a major Trump donor. Bondi is considered a steadfast loyalist of Trump and briefly worked at the White House after she left office. Even with the new role, she will remain a partner in the D.C. offices of Ballard Partners. Hello and welcome to Thursday. Center stage — The Democratic dysfunction in Washington, D.C., could come to a boiling point on Thursday as the Biden administration and congressional leaders try to come up with some sort of resolution on the infrastructure bill and the $3.5 trillion reconciliation measure. Spotlight — And Florida Rep. Stephanie Murphy, who has emerged as a target for both sides of the spending debate, remains squarely locked in the middle of all of it. Murphy was among the group of moderates who pushed for a vote on the infrastructure bill and it is supposed to take place even though progressive Democrats contend they will vote no on it until there's a deal on the multitrillon-dollar social spending bill. Holding her position — While progressives insist they are serious about tanking the infrastructure bill, Murphy sounded equally serious that she will not support the reconciliation measure without it. "If the vote were to fail tomorrow or be delayed," she said of the infrastructure bill, according to CNN's Manu Raju, "there would be a significant breach of trust that would slow the momentum in moving forward in delivering the Biden agenda." Keep an eye on — Let's set aside for just a moment what this means for the legislation — or yes, the agenda for the Biden administration — and let's realize this whole debate creates a bit of contrast with some of Florida's other Democrats, including Rep. Val Demings. The Central Florida Democrat is running for Senate against Marco Rubio in a state that is purple but in reality has begun to behave like a red state. Demings, however, has been vocal about supporting the reconciliation bill and some of the provisions in it but she has remained out of the fray that's dividing in her party. You are all but guaranteed that Republicans will keep a close eye on Demings to see where she comes down in all of this. — WHERE'S RON? — Nothing official announced for Gov. Ron DeSantis. Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for Playbook? Get in touch: gfineout@politico.com | | | | A message from USA-IT: With world-class beaches along 1,350 miles of shoreline, what makes Florida such an attractive place to live also makes it attractive to smugglers and traffickers. This illegal trade affects the safety and quality of life of all 21 million Floridians. Florida deserves better. And that's why our partners are proud to be on the ground in 2021. United to safeguard Florida from illegal trade, we're working together to fight back. Learn more. | | |
|  | DATELINE D.C. | | MURPHY IN THE MIDDLE — "House approves doomed debt limit extension but hurdles loom," by POLITICO's Nicholas Wu, Sarah Ferris and Heather Caygle: In a closed-door meeting earlier Wednesday morning, a furious Pelosi chided roughly half a dozen moderates who had been privately threatening to tank a measure to hike the debt limit, which they saw as a pointless political maneuver with the Senate GOP firmly opposed. "These members have all voted for this last week. So if they're concerned about how it might be in an ad, it's already in an ad," Pelosi told reporters after the meeting, noting she had little patience for opposition in her own party to the debt measure. By lunchtime Wednesday, Democratic leaders had struck a deal with those centrists — led by Reps. Stephanie Murphy (D-Fla.) and Kathleen Rice (D-N.Y.) — to secure the votes for the debt limit raise. HIS MOMENT AT THE MIC — "Gaetz tells Milley he would be fired if Biden wasn't 'so addled,'" by New York Post's Callie Patteson: "Rep. Matt Gaetz launched into a scathing cross-examination of Gen. Mark Milley and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin during their Wednesday testimony on the chaotic and deadly US withdrawal from Afghanistan, saying that if President Biden wasn't so 'addled,' the military leaders would have been fired. As Milley and Austin appeared before the House Armed Services Committee, Gaetz (R-Fla.) started his line of questioning by asking Milley to answer for his previous comments that the Taliban would not be able to defeat the Afghan military. 'You really blew that call, didn't you, General?' Gaetz said." YOUR PRESENCE IS REQUESTED — "Jan. 6 investigators subpoena organizers of rallies that preceded Capitol attack," by POLITICO's Betsy Woodruff Swan, Kyle Cheney and Nicholas Wu: Committee investigators are looking into connections between the rally organizers and Trump, who helped drive attendance by billing Jan. 6 as a "wild" protest against the results of the 2020 election. Many of the extremists who participated in the rally, and subsequent Capitol breach, cited Trump's language as justification for their actions. On the list — Among those subpoenaed was Justin Caporale who was listed as a "project manager" for the Jan. 6th rally where Trump spoke. Caporale, who had worked early on in the Trump White House, worked for the administration of Gov. Ron DeSantis as director of external affairs but left in 2019 amid a staff shakeup. STEUBE SHOT — Florida Rep. Greg Steube helped power Republicans to a 13-12 victory in the Congressional Baseball Game after he hit the first out-of-park home run in the contest in more than 40 years. See it here. | | | | HAPPENING TODAY - DON'T MISS THIS PLAYBOOK INTERVIEW WITH REP. GOTTHEIMER AS THE HOUSE PREPARES TO VOTE : President Biden's domestic agenda is on the line, with a $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill slated for a House vote on Thursday. However, moderate and progressive Democrats remain at odds over a larger, multitrillion-dollar spending package — with the left even threatening to tank Thursday's vote. Join Playbook co-author Rachael Bade for a virtual conversation featuring Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.), the leader of the centrists urging his colleagues to take the win Thursday and continue working on the second package in the coming days. REGISTER HERE. | | | | |
| | CAMPAIGN MODE | | NEVER SAY NEVER — Coming just hours after he gave a speech at a New York City gathering of alcohol industry executives, Gov. Ron DeSantis appeared in the friendly space of Fox News Wednesday evening where he brushed aside the 2024 presidential talk again. "I'm not considering anything beyond doing my job. We got a lot of stuff going on in Florida," DeSantis told Sean Hannity. "That's way down the road. It's not anything that I'm planning for." He said he would be running for re-election in 2022, and repeated his promise to get involved in local school board races. For what it's worth — DeSantis' downplaying of a 2024 run also came on the same day that a Super PAC run by former ambassador and national security adviser John Bolton released a poll suggesting DeSantis and former President Donald Trump are almost running neck-and-neck among national Republican voters. The poll, which has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 percent, found that 26.2 percent would support Trump while 25.2 percent would support DeSantis in a GOP primary for president. OUSTED — "Lewandowski cast out of Trump operation after allegation of unwanted sexual advances ," by POLITICO's Alex Isenstadt: Corey Lewandowski, one of Donald Trump's longest-serving, highest-profile advisers, has been exiled from the former president's orbit following allegations, reported earlier Wednesday by POLITICO, that he made unwanted sexual advances toward a major Trump donor. Lewandowski's roles advising Trump included overseeing the principal pro-Trump super PAC, Make America Great Again Action. But Taylor Budowich, a Trump spokesman, announced on Twitter that Lewandowski was being removed from that job. | 
Former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi stands on stage in an empty Mellon Auditorium while addressing the Republican National Convention. | Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images | IT'S A DATE — "Trump to headline Tampa fundraiser for House Republicans," by Tampa Bay Times' Steve Contorno: "Former President Donald Trump will be the featured speaker Nov. 8 at a fundraiser for House Republicans in Tampa. It's $5,000 to get into the dinner and reception at the Tampa Convention Center, according to an invitation obtained by the Tampa Bay Times, with VIP packages priced as high as $255,000. Anyone who donates more than $10,000 will get access to 'political briefing panels' and breakfast the next morning. The fundraiser will benefit the National Republican Congressional Committee, the campaign arm of the House GOP." THE MAYOR — " Miami Mayor Francis Suarez's reelection bid framed by national hype and local gripes," by Miami Herald's Joey Flechas: "After nearly four years on the job, Suarez, a figurehead with limited legislative power, has become a walking, talking billboard for Miami. He's the marketer-in-chief, looking to sell the world a glimmering narrative about sunshine, low taxes and tech-hungry entrepreneurship in a metropolis perhaps better known for rising seas, opulence, and a dependence on real estate and tourism." The record — "Despite the sales pitch, there are issues. The wealth disparity and unaffordable housing, with the looming threats of climate change, remain serious challenges. Some of Suarez's biggest priorities, like the $1 billion soccer stadium and commercial complex he wants built on a city golf course, remain unrealized." | | | |   | | |
| | CORONAVIRUS UPDATES | | The daily rundown — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said that there were 5,819 Covid-19 infections on Tuesday. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reported that 6,258 beds were being used in the state for Covid-19 patients. The Florida Hospital Association reported Wednesday that 24.9 percent of adult patients in intensive care units are infected with Covid-19. THE DESANTIS DOCTRINE — "How a doctor who questioned vaccine safety became DeSantis' surgeon general pick," by POLITICO's Arek Sarkissian: Joseph A. Ladapo, Gov. Ron DeSantis' pick to be Florida's next surgeon general, looks great on paper. He has medical and doctoral degrees from Harvard University and has held professorships at prestigious schools like New York University and UCLA. But public health experts and some Florida lawmakers have expressed grave concerns with Ladapo. Some say he lacks experience in public health policy. Others point to Ladapo's questioning of the safety of Covid-19 vaccines or the effectiveness of lockdowns and mask mandates. He has also raised eyebrows for his support of hydroxychloroquine, the anti-malaria drug heralded as a coronavirus treatment by former President Donald Trump. 'YOU THROW POLITICS INTO THE MIX' — "Education chief Miquel Cardona calls Florida's new COVID quarantine rule 'dangerous,'" by McClatchy DC's Brian Lowry: Education Secretary Miguel Cardona on Wednesday called a new Florida rule restricting schools from requiring students to quarantine after having a direct exposure to COVID-19 "dangerous" and "irresponsible." The Education Department's Office of Civil Rights earlier this month launched an investigation into Florida's prohibition on school mask mandates, which could potentially lead to a loss of federal funds if a civil rights violation is found." CONFRONTATION — " Florida Board of Education set for showdown with schools defying DeSantis on mask mandates," by POLITICO's Andrew Atterbury: "Florida's Board of Education on Wednesday set up a showdown with 11 school districts that bucked the DeSantis administration by requiring students to wear masks, a sign that sanctions could be on the horizon for some school leaders. The state board is now slated to meet Oct. 7 to consider whether school boards in Alachua, Brevard, Broward, Duval, Hillsborough, Indian River, Leon, Miami-Dade, Orange, Palm Beach and Sarasota counties are in line with a Department of Health rule that further enforces a statewide ban on student mask mandates." — " Lawmaker's case against DeSantis over release of COVID data on hold," by Orlando Sentinel's Kate Santich — "Branson proclaims cruises safe, set to launch Virgin Voyages from Miami," by Miami Herald's Anna Jean Kaiser — " Marco Rubio, Rick Scott legislation would overrule Joe Biden's Regeneron rationing," by Florida Politics' Jacob Ogles | | | | BECOME A GLOBAL INSIDER: The world is more connected than ever. It has never been more essential to identify, unpack and analyze important news, trends and decisions shaping our future — and we've got you covered! Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, Global Insider author Ryan Heath navigates the global news maze and connects you to power players and events changing our world. Don't miss out on this influential global community. Subscribe now. | | | | |
| | ... DATELINE TALLAHASSEE ... | | WAITING IS OVER — "Florida finally wins approval for summer food stamp program helping children in poverty," by Orlando Sentinel's Kate Santich: "It's official: After weeks of pleas from education and anti-hunger advocates and finger-pointing by politicians, Florida has become one of the last states in the nation to win federal approval for a one-time pandemic food stamp boost of more than $1 billion for children in poverty. The program will provide an extra $375 in benefits to families of an estimated 2.7 million children statewide. It was launched by the U.S. Department of Agriculture in April to help students who normally rely on free- and reduced-cost school meals during the summer." WHAT'S IN YOUR WALLET? — Larry Keefe, who was introduced as Florida's "public safety czar" this week by Gov. Ron DeSantis, will get paid $125,000 a year, according to a spokesperson for DeSantis. Keefe started his new job this week and will be responsible for carrying out immigration enforcement actions that the Republican governor announced on Tuesday. Keefe, a former law partner with Rep. Matt Gaetz, served as U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Florida for two years before the Biden administration asked him to resign alongside other Trump appointees. — " Visit Florida to seek at least $75 million, extension," by News Service of Florida's Jim Turner | | PENINSULA AND BEYOND | | LOOKING FOR A WAY OUT — "It's not just the United States: Latin America has a Haitian migration problem," by Miami Herald's Jacqueline Charles and Michael Wilner: "On the same day that 509 Haitians landed back in Haiti from an evacuated migrant camp in Del Rio, Texas, this week, hundreds of undocumented Haitians were spotted wading in the crystal blue waters off an uninhabited cay in the southern Bahamas after their green and yellow wooden sloop sank." Destination Florida? — "Believing they were en route to Florida, the 400 or so migrants were finally apprehended over three days by Bahamian authorities and taken from the Ragged Cay Island chain to the island of Great Inagua, where they joined some 500 other Haitian nationals who had been apprehended days earlier." — "Family of Miya Mercano pleads for FBI's help in search for 19-year-old," by Orlando Sentinel's Lisa Maria Garza and Monivette Cordeiro — "Environmental groups to sue Manatee County over Piney Point waste disposal plan," by Sarasota Herlad-Tribune's Jesse Mendoza — "Senior U.S. officials in Miami for meetings with Cuban, Haitian communities ," by Miami Herald's Jacqueline Charles and Nora Gamez Torres and McClatchy DC's Michael Wilner — "Red tide levels grow in Sarasota and Manatee counties," by Sarasota Herald-Tribune's Jesse Mendoza | | | | A message from USA-IT: The very things that make Florida such a wonderful place to live—a vibrant, populous state with 14 major ports, advanced transportation infrastructure, and of course world-famous beaches and shoreline (the 2nd longest in the United States)—also make it attractive to smugglers and traffickers. This illegal trade hurts local taxpayers, local economies and the senior citizen community, ultimately affecting the safety and quality of life of all 21 million Floridians.
Private-public partnerships can help address this problem. That's why our partners are proud to be on the ground in 2021, bringing our shared expertise combating illegal trade into Florida's fight. Along with governments and local law enforcement, we're working together to fight back. Learn more. | | |
| | ODDS, ENDS AND FLORIDA MEN | | — "'Did it my own way': WESH speaks to Florida man who used trash can to trap gator in viral video," by WESH's Dave McDaniel: "Eugene Bozzi is a military veteran and a dad. While he's only been in Florida a year, the native of Philadelphia felt an alligator's power up close. 'Somebody's gotta step up and do something, we all got to look out for each other right?' he told WESH 2. 'I was frightened when I had it in it, because it was so powerful. And I didn't expect that, it was pushing out, whipping its tail around.'" — " A Fort Lauderdale man wants a race-based civil war, feds say. He's been sentenced," by Miami Herald's David J. Neal: "Before FBI agents and Fort Lauderdale police arrested Paul Miller at his home in March, the U.S. Department of Justice says, he made clear he would back starting 'a race-based civil war in the United States.' The white supremacist won't be starting anything soon other than prison jobs and his federal prison sentence, three years and five months, received Tuesday." BIRTHDAYS: Alachua County Sheriff and former state Rep. Clovis Watson Jr. … Harrison Fields of Rep. Byron Donalds' office … The Associated Press' Curt Anderson … Jason Gonzalez of Shutts & Bowen ... John Pacenti, senior manager of investigative and in-depth content at WPTV.
| Want to make an impact? POLITICO Florida has a variety of solutions available for partners looking to reach and activate the most influential people in the Sunshine State. Have a petition you want signed? A cause you're promoting? Seeking to increase brand awareness amongst this key audience? Share your message with our influential readers to foster engagement and drive action. Contact Jesse Shapiro to find out how: jshapiro@politico.com. | | | | Follow us on Twitter | | | | Subscribe to the POLITICO Playbook family Playbook | Playbook PM | California Playbook | Florida Playbook | Illinois Playbook | Massachusetts Playbook | New Jersey Playbook | New York Playbook | Brussels Playbook | London Playbook View all our political and policy newsletters | | Follow us | | | | |
No comments:
Post a Comment