| | | | |  | | By Gary Fineout | Presented by CVS Health | Good Tuesday morning. Price of admission — Gov. Ron DeSantis wouldn't answer a direct question about whether he thought the 2000 election was rigged. He has sidestepped on whether he had gotten a vaccine booster. And now, he won't say if former President Donald Trump or former Vice President Mike Pence is right about certifying the vote. Listen — Pence, last Friday — at an event DeSantis would later appear at himself — told members of the Federalist Society that Trump was "wrong" when he said the then-vice president had the power to overturn the election. Pushed by NBC News' Marc Caputo on Monday about who is right, DeSantis said "I'm not. I…." while smiling and then chuckling before the governor switched to talking about how "great" his working relationship was when Trump was in office. Talkback — Then the governor blasted the administration of President Joe Biden: "Now, it's like whatever I want to do they will do the opposite. So it's almost like I tell people, if you want me to do something 'I'll just take the opposite position' and then maybe they'll end up doing it." Touch and go — DeSantis of course got into the governor's mansion with the help of Trump and now is seen as the potential 2024 nominee for president if Trump ultimately doesn't seek another term. His decision to steer clear of the Trump-Pence rift came a day after another potential 2024 candidate — Florida Sen. Marco Rubio — got asked about it on national TV. Rubio declined to say if Trump was wrong, but he agreed with Pence's position. At the edge — Some Democrats pounded DeSantis for his dodge. Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried, who is running for governor, labeled his answer "gutless" on Twitter. Go for it — There has been buzz and media reports about the relationship between Trump and DeSantis in recent months, especially when Trump laid into elected officials who would not say if they had gotten a booster shot as "gutless." (There's that word again.) While some want to label it completely as "fake news," people in those worlds know there has been some tension. Stands to reason — But it's been noted before — so let's note it again: DeSantis is very good at saying what he wants, when he wants to say it. His decision to remain out of the Trump-Pence fray is another example that his timing and his messaging remain very much in his control. — 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 message from CVS Health: Throughout the pandemic, in communities across the country, CVS Health has been there. We've opened more than 4,800 COVID-19 test sites, administered 41 million tests and given 50 million vaccines. We've expanded access to prenatal and postpartum care via telemedicine, increased remote access to mental health services and invested in affordable housing to help build healthier communities. We've been on the frontlines, making health care easier to access and afford. Learn more. | | | |  | CAMPAIGN MODE | | PLEASE DON'T GO — " Key Latino group urges Dems not to write off Florida," by POLITICO's Sabrina Rodriguez: As part of an effort to make sure the state isn't written off by Democrats, Latino Victory Fund, a Democratic super PAC, is backing candidates in two Florida primaries — endorsements that come with a six-figure investment in ads, fundraising events and organizing help for the state. The progressive organization will announce Tuesday that it will endorse Annette Taddeo, a Miami-area state senator running for governor, and Maxwell Frost, an activist running for an Orlando-area congressional seat being vacated by Rep. Val Demings, who is vying for Marco Rubio's Senate seat. | 
Sen. Annette Taddeo - Democratic candidate for governor - kicked off a 67-county campaign tour in front of the Governor's Mansion. | Gary Fineout/POLITICO |
Stick around — The endorsements are designed to send a larger message to the party: Show up for Florida or Democrats risk losing ground with Hispanic voters. There are "folks who are kind of abandoning the state and we said, 'We've invested too much time, energy and resources and we are going to continue investing because Florida is too critical of a state,'" said Nathalie Rayes, president and CEO of Latino Victory Fund. "We cannot build national Latino political power without investing in Florida. The state must always, always, always be part of the equation."
ONCE MORE UNTO THE BREACH — "This time we mean it: Florida Democrats vow to regain registration edge," by POLITICO's Gary Fineout: Florida Democrats announced a $2.5 million voter registration campaign Monday to win back their historic advantage over Republicans just months ahead of a critical election where Gov. Ron DeSantis and battleground seats for Congress will be on the ballot. Democrats, who saw their edge in registration numbers dwindle and eventually vanish late last year, did not disclose a lot of details about the nascent effort. The operation, which began last week, will likely involve hiring hundreds of canvassers in key regions of the state and there will be a goal of registering at least 100,000 voters, particularly among Hispanics and rural residents. Piecrust promise? — "Over the course of the last ten years the party's efforts have been lacking," Manny Diaz, chair of the Florida Democratic Party, said in a press conference online with reporters. "We have let our guard down, especially during off years and the other side have eaten away at our margins. That's not going to happen anymore." Response — "Where Democrats have been complacent in Florida, Republicans have put in the work for years with our data-driven ground game," Julia Friedland, a spokesperson with the Republican National Committee, said in an email. "Democrats' last-ditch effort to throw money at their problems isn't going to change the fact that they have no message for voters." MEANWHILE — "Investigation underway into reports of voters affiliation being changed from Democrat to Republican ," by WPLG's Glenna Milberg: "The push to investigate is growing into South Florida voters who were shocked to discover their political party affiliations had changed after visits by people with IDs from the Republican Party of Florida. Miami-Dade prosecutors are now looking into it. Thanks to one of those elderly, lifelong Democrats, we get a good look at one of those people. Maria took photos of the woman at her door last summer who said she was updating voter registrations. The ID had the woman' name, worker #56, and a QR code that connects to the Republican Party of Florida website." RESPONSE — " DeSantis weighs in on seniors' voter fraud complaints in Miami-Dade," by Sun Sentinel's Lisa J. Huriash: "Florida won't tolerate any "election shenanigans" and will look into recent complaints of voter fraud in Miami-Dade County, where elderly Democrats are complaining their party affiliations were changed to Republican without their knowledge, Gov. Ron DeSantis said Monday. DeSantis said the latest election-fraud complaints are an example of how his proposed 'election integrity unit' — made of investigators and law enforcement — could help crack down on such problems. The unit 'will go after those types of election shenanigans,' he said, because some local jurisdictions will investigate and others 'don't really pay a lot of attention to any election infractions.'" — " Longtime Epstein associate gave $250K to RGA," by POLITICO's Tara Palmeri — "Rep. Matt Gaetz handily beat past challengers. A looming investigation may change that," by Pensacola News Journal's Jim Little — " Trump, DeSantis tensions shadow this year's CPAC ," by The Hill's Max Greenwood
| | | | HAPPENING THURSDAY – A LONG GAME CONVERSATION ON THE CLIMATE CRISIS : Join POLITICO for back-to-back conversations on climate and sustainability action, starting with a panel led by Global Insider author Ryan Heath focused on insights gleaned from our POLITICO/Morning Consult Global Sustainability Poll of citizens from 13 countries on five continents about how their governments should respond to climate change. Following the panel, join a discussion with POLITICO White House Correspondent Laura Barrón-López and Gina McCarthy, White House national climate advisor, about the Biden administration's climate and sustainability agenda. REGISTER HERE. | | | | | | | MAPMAKER, MAPMAKER | | BATTLE LINES FORMED — " DeSantis push to undo district held by Black Democrat becomes legal free-for-all," by POLITICO's Gary Fineout: Florida's Republican power structure is swinging firmly behind Gov. Ron DeSantis' push to convince the state's highest court to rule on the legality of a 200-mile congressional district linking several Black neighborhoods. Chiming in — "The Florida Legislature stands with Governor Ron DeSantis in asking the Florida Supreme Court to weigh in on a narrow, critical question related to congressional redistricting," House Speaker Chris Sprowls and Senate President Wilton Simpson said in a joint statement. The roster — Those supporting DeSantis also include Attorney General Ashley Moody and Lenny Curry, who was chair of the Republican Party of Florida before he became mayor of Jacksonville. Those lining up in opposition include Common Cause and Fair District Now as well as All on the Line Florida, a group linked to national redistricting efforts connected to Democrats. The argument — DeSantis and his lawyers have defended their request to the court by reasoning the governor will ultimately have to approve or veto the congressional map adopted by the Legislature. But opponents on Monday labeled DeSantis' bid to bring in the court now as improper and a violation of separation of powers. "The governor reads his own authority too broadly. The power to approve or veto laws does not make one a king, nor does it convert the Supreme Court to a privy council," states a brief filed by well-known Miami elections lawyer Ben Kuehne and other attorneys representing [Rep. Sheila] Cherfilus-McCormick.
| | | |   | | | | | ... DATELINE TALLAHASSEE ... | | THREADING THE NEEDLE — " DeSantis turns to Cuban supporters in fight against immigration flights," by POLITICO's Matt Dixon: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis wants to make one thing clear: Federal flights carrying unaccompanied minors from the southern border today are different from federal flights carrying unaccompanied minors from Cuba in the early 1960s. The Republican governor says current flights, which are a major component of his intensifying feud with President Joe Biden, are illegal, while the flights from Cuba, dubbed Operation Pedro Pan, were not. Those flights in 1960 and 1961 secretly flew 14,000 children from Cuba to Miami. It is decreed — DeSantis and other conservatives critical of the flights have struggled to say how the operation violates the law. When asked about the issue, DeSantis' office says the current "economic migrants" are not refugees and different from the Cuban children fleeing the Castro regime. "Refugees are not economic migrants. Illegal immigrants aren't legal immigrants. NGOs are not allowed to break the law, regardless of whether they are 'faith based' or not," Christina Pushaw, the governor's press secretary, said in an email. WEIGHING IN — " Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signals support for 'Don't Say Gay' bill," by CNN's Steve Contorno: "Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis appeared Monday to voice support for a controversial state bill that would ban certain discussions about sexual orientation and gender identity in the classroom. DeSantis, a Republican, said it was 'entirely inappropriate' for teachers and school administrators to have conversations with students about their gender identity, saying that, in some schools, children are told 'Don't worry, don't pick your gender yet.' DeSantis, though, also acknowledged, 'I don't think it's happening here in large numbers.' 'Schools need to be teaching kids to read, to write,' the governor said at a press event Monday." IS IT ABOUT THE CHILDREN? — " House Democrats criticize FLDOE handling of Jefferson County schools scandal," by POLITICO's Andrew Atterbury: House Democrats on Monday called for lawmakers to assume a larger role in aiding Jefferson County schools this session as the Florida Department of Education and local leaders remain at odds over the struggling school district's future. "What's been lost in this volley, and what's been lost over this argument over access to public funds, are the 750 school children in that district that have been abandoned yet again," state Rep. Allison Tant (D-Tallahassee) told reporters Monday. The latest outcry from Democrats comes after Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran on Friday rejected key requests from school officials in Jefferson County seeking more autonomy from the state. — " Lawmakers to consider changes to nursing home staff requirements; AARP Florida says its recommendations have been ignored," by Florida Politics' Christine Jordan Sexton — " House seeks 'consultation' with DMS on Capitol grounds, closing decisions," by Florida Politics' Gray Rohrer — " Emily Slosberg-King to leave House after three terms ," by Florida Politics' Ryan Nicol
| | TRUMPLANDIA AND THE SWAMP | | AT THE SCENE — " What does Ivanka Trump know about Jan. 6? Congress is asking," by The Associated Press' Farnoush Amiri: "The former first daughter has kept an extraordinary low profile since her father left office and has distanced herself from him and politics since moving to Florida. But her proximity to him on Jan. 6 could provide the committee with direct access to what Trump was doing during those crucial three hours when his supporters violently stormed Capitol. 'Ivanka Trump has details about what occurred in the lead-up to and on Jan. 6 and about the former president's state of mind as events unfolded,' Rep. Stephanie Murphy, D-Fla, a member of the panel, told The Associated Press." 'THEY ARE NOT JUST PASSING THROUGH' — "Javanka in exile ," by Bob Norman for Washingtonian: "Now the Kushners have sought refuge in Surfside, a town of only 6,000 people that's hardly immune from Trumpian divisiveness—the former President lost to Joe Biden in the Surfside precinct by 69 votes—yet one that previously managed to stay off most people's radar. Which was just fine with plenty of residents." | | | | 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. | | | | | | | CORONAVIRUS UPDATES | |
The daily rundown — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said there were 11,608 Covid-19 infections reported on Saturday and 20,427 on Sunday. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reported that 7,316 hospital beds were being used in the state for Covid-19 patients.
KEEP IT DARK— "Florida wants to shield health officials in COVID data lawsuit," by News Service of Florida's Jim Saunders: "The Florida Department of Health has gone to an appeals court in a battle about whether it should provide daily COVID-19 data, as it seeks to be shielded from explaining officials' decision-making about releasing the information. Attorneys for the department filed a petition on Feb. 2 at the 1st District Court of Appeal as part of a lawsuit filed in August by the Florida Center for Government Accountability and state Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith, D-Orlando, and later joined by several media organizations." | | THE GUNSHINE STATE | |
PACKING — "TSA seized record 666 guns at Florida airports during 2021, many of them loaded," by The Palm Beach Post's Gerard Albert III: "Federal officers seized a record 666 guns — many of them loaded — at Transportation Security Administration checkpoints in airports across Florida during 2021, the agency said last week. The total — an average of nearly 13 per week — marked a 26% increase from the highest previous totals of 529 and 528 in 2018 and 2019, respectively. In 2020, a year when the coronavirus pandemic pushed airport traffic lower than it had been in decades, TSA agents confiscated 456 guns at Florida airports. Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport and Orlando International Airport were in the top 10 in the country for guns seized."
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Healthier Happens Together. Learn more. | | | | | ODDS, ENDS AND FLORIDA MEN | | — " Wild Florida monkey colony to get first enclosure as work begins on new sanctuary," by Sun Sentinel's David Fleshler: "Construction began Monday on a sanctuary for the vervet monkeys of Dania Beach, a wild colony whose ancestors escaped from a breeding farm in the 1940s. Workers began clearing space in a swampy forest wedged between Port Everglades and Fort Lauderdale airport, where the first enclosure will house monkeys who have become a weird and beloved part of the neighborhood." — " Head of security at FSU's Strozier Library charged with theft of thousands of rare comics," by Tallahassee Democrat's Karl Etters: "There are only four keys to the lock protecting a half-million dollars worth of comic books housed in Florida State University's Strozier Library. Todd Peak, the library's head of security, had access to one of them. Peak, 38, was arrested by FSU Police on Friday on charges that, in 2020, he stole nearly 5,000 comics from the Robert M. Ervin Jr. Collection. Throughout the next two years, police said, he sold them to private buyers and comic book stores throughout the area." BIRTHDAYS: Rep. Gus Bilirakis | | | | 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 | Ottawa Playbook | Brussels Playbook | London Playbook View all our political and policy newsletters | | Follow us | | | | |
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