| | | | |  | | By Gary Fineout | Presented by CVS Health | Hello and welcome to Wednesday. Same old story — President Joe Biden's first State of the Union speech drew moments of bipartisan support over his initial comments on the Russian invasion of Ukraine. But it still produced the same partisan split from Florida Republicans and Democrats that has remained ever-present during a pandemic, and economic turmoil and upheaval. Live-tweeting — Sen. Marco Rubio, who refused to attend because of the Covid-19 protocols for the event, attacked Biden several times on Twitter and questioned when the president was going to block Russian oil from being sold. He also said "the President who called Republicans modern day segregationists & leads a party who called those who opposed nonsensical Covid rules a death cult now asks we stop seeing Covid as a partisan divide and each other as enemies." Rubio did call on Congress to pass legislation designed to help military veterans exposed to burn pits after Biden said it was time to help them. VR time — Sen. Rick Scott, the head of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, praised Biden for announcing a ban on Russian flights in U.S. airspace, but still criticized him sharply over inflation and rising gasoline prices, saying America was "heading in the wrong direction." "The President's speech tonight seemed to reflect an alternate reality to that of working Americans," Scott said in a statement. Counterpoint — Rep. Val Demings — and who is running against Rubio — also live-tweeted through the State of the Union and echoed support for the president's domestic agenda, including his pushback against progressives who have urged for reducing support to police. She also strongly supported his actions on Ukraine and his pledge to go after Russian oligarchs. "We have more to do on Russia — especially holding Russian oligarchs accountable. We need to crack down on their personal assets. This warmonger and his enablers must, and will, pay the price for their crimes. #SeizeTheYachts," she wrote. Other Democrats — Rep. Charlie Crist, who is leaving Congress to run for governor, hailed Biden's remarks and said he demonstrated "leadership" by "steering us forward with resolve and determination as we rebuild our economy following the COVID-19 pandemic and work alongside our NATO allies to hold the Russian dictator Vladimir Putin accountable for his reprehensible invasion of Ukraine." Silence — Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried — who is running against Crist in the Democratic primary — did not comment on the president's speech even though she has pushed Florida to divest Russian assets after the invasion of Ukraine. Hmm. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who has openly clashed with Biden for the past year, also did not comment directly. He did post a picture of an alligator that said "Let us alone" moments after the speech started. — 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 59 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. | | | |  | DATELINE D.C. | | THE SENATOR'S INSIGHTS — "Marco Rubio is tweeting through the Russia-Ukraine war — for a reason ," by POLITICO's Andrew Desiderio: Rubio — one of only a few lawmakers who personally tweet from their own accounts — has done exactly the opposite. As Russia's attack unfolded, he became a one-man intelligence crowdsourcer. On Tuesday alone, the Republican tweeted three times with maps breaking down his observations of Russian military movements. And he volunteered last week that he wished he could say more about Vladimir Putin's mental state, suggesting he was aware of non-public U.S. assessments of the Russian leader's health. Breaking it down — It's a highly unusual display of transparency from a senior senator on the Intelligence Committee who gets regular, bipartisan briefings on high-level U.S. assessments. But Rubio is comfortable parsing Russia's war in public, saying he isn't revealing anything classified or sensitive, even as critics slam his tweets as irresponsible and unverified. | 
Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., asks a question to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo during a Senate Foreign Relations committee hearing on the State Department's 2021 budget on Capitol Hill Thursday, July 30, 2020, in Washington. | Greg Nash/Pool via AP | AWKWARD — "McConnell clashes with Rick Scott over Republican agenda," by POLITICO's Burgess Everett and Marianne LeVine: Mitch McConnell and Senate Republican leaders are warning Rick Scott that his agenda for the GOP could expose the party to unnecessary attacks this fall, a significant intraparty rebuke of the Floridian. The Senate minority leader, who has declined thus far to release a party agenda, advised Scott at a GOP leadership meeting on Monday afternoon that his 11-point proposal gave Democrats ammunition for millions of dollars of ads in the midterms, according to multiple people briefed on the exchange. Pushing back — The schism played out on into Tuesday at a leadership press conference. Scott exited the event abruptly just before McConnell castigated two of his proposals. "Let me tell you what will not be a part of our agenda: We will not have as part of our agenda a bill that raises taxes on half the American people and sunsets Social Security and Medicare after five years. That will not be part of the Republican Senate majority agenda," McConnell said. And McConnell made clear he's planning to be fully in charge in 2023: "If we're fortunate enough to have the majority next year, I'll be the majority leader." Response — Scott declined to address the Monday meeting with McConnell, and said in a brief interview that he's "not ever going to talk about private conversations, but I believe it's important to tell people what we're going to do." "Republicans, and really all Americans outside of Washington, are demanding that we have a plan to turn our country around," said Chris Hartline, a spokesperson for Scott. "Sen. Scott is not afraid to start this conversation and will continue talking about his plan to rescue America." — "New immigration bill: Best hope for 'dignity' or a long, costly path?" by Tampa Bay Times' Juan Carlos Chavez TRANSITIONS — Caitlin Conant is now VP of policy comms at the Walt Disney Company. She previously was political director for CBS News, and is a Marco Rubio and Rob Portman alum. — "Florida congressman will miss State of the Union after testing positive for COVID," by Miami Herald's Bryan Lowry
| | | | 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 ... | | FIRST IN PLAYBOOK — New Spanish-language radio ads are going up in Central and South Florida that hit Gov. Ron DeSantis over his policy going after homes that take in unaccompanied migrant children. The ads will also criticize his decision to throw his support behind the House's policy to strip $200 million from school districts that backed mask mandates. Florida Immigrant Coalition Votes says it will spend $100,000 on the buy. "Florida's pay-to-play governor is prioritizing his political aspirations and wealthy donors over the well-being of Florida's children by supporting anti-children policies and defunding public education," said Isabel Vinent, co-director of the Florida Immigrant Coalition. COMING SOON? — "Florida senators take up House proposal to term limit school boards," by POLITICO's Andrew Atterbury: The Florida Legislature inched closer toward installing term limits for local school board members on Tuesday after a key Senate panel took up a far-reaching education package. By backing the legislation along a mostly party-line vote, Republicans on the Senate Rules Committee indicated that the chamber is on board with enacting term limits and ramping up scrutiny around what students are learning and reading on campus — another significant piece of the proposal. 12 is enough? — But Senators split from the House, which recently approved its version of the measure, by suggesting 12-year term limits opposed to eight years, introducing another policy issue for lawmakers to settle with the bill now ready for consideration by the full Florida Senate. WHERE WILL THIS GO? — "House set to send data privacy bill to uncertain Senate future ," by POLITICO's Matt Dixon: Legislation beefing up Florida's data privacy laws, a heavily-lobbied fight that comes with political intrigue and waves of campaign cash, is teed up for a final vote in the Florida House. But its future in the Senate remains one of the biggest remaining questions in the final two weeks of the 2022 legislative session. Legislators have pushed over the past few years to pass legislation that would allow consumers to opt out of companies selling their data, but the business lobby has stifled the measure over concerns about costs associated with implementing data privacy changes and a wave of lawsuits that could come if they are in violation. WORKING IN TANDEM — "'It's a big step for Florida': House approves changes to language in state law describing Black children," by Florida Phoenix's Isaac Morgan: "Following Democrats raising concerns over an existing state law, the Florida House on Tuesday approved legislation that would define what it means to be a Black child in Florida's welfare system. 'It's a big step for Florida,' said state Rep. Patricia Williams, a Democrat representing part of Broward County. ... Initially, Williams moved to change the current state law that defines a 'special needs child' as a child of 'Black or racially mixed parentage.' She felt that it was inappropriate and racist terminology. Though she faced hurdles, lawmakers approved Tuesday the change to use 'difficult to place' children rather than 'special needs' children in the child welfare system." 'WHAT WE CAN FIX TODAY' — "Florida House wants new resiliency office to address climate change," by News Service of Florida's Jim Turner: "The Florida House is expected Wednesday to approve a proposal that would establish a new resiliency office directly under Gov. Ron DeSantis, after Democrats were unable to make changes to address the causes of rising seas. The measure (HB 7053), which would build on a 2021 law, would require the development of a resilience action plan for the state highway system, require a prioritized list of resilience projects that would include costs and timelines and create a database that would identify such things as medical centers, utilities, emergency operations centers and airports that would be threatened by rising sea levels." — "Miya's Law, named for murdered Orlando college student, ready for final votes," by Orlando Sentinel's Skyler Swisher
| | | |   | | | | | CAMPAIGN MODE | | LET'S GO TO THE ZOO — "On the hunt for a Gimenez challenger, Democrats try to recruit Ron Magill into politics," by Miami Herald's Douglas Hanks: "Ron Magill said he assumed Billy Corben was trying to prank him when the filmmaker got the local celebrity on the phone with a recruiting pitch: Run for Congress and try to unseat Republican Carlos Gimenez in Florida's 26th District. 'I thought I was being punked,' said Magill, a regular on TV for his job as the primary public ambassador for Miami-Dade County's ZooMiami. But Corben, a longtime Gimenez critic, was serious in the ask, and he had Democratic heavyweights behind him: Miami pollster Fernand Amandi and the former congresswoman who lost to Gimenez in 2020, Debbie Murcarsel-Powell." WHO'S IN? WHO'S OUT? — "Ted Deutch's decision to not seek re-election sets off scramble among potential successors," by Sun Sentinel's Anthony Man: "U.S. Rep. Ted Deutch's announcement Monday that he wouldn't seek re-election has set off a scramble among politicians in Broward and Palm Beach counties who might succeed him. The calculations are changing rapidly. Broward County Commissioner Mark Bogen, who said Monday afternoon he was considering a candidacy, said Tuesday afternoon he would run for re-election instead." — " Second Republican, George Moraitis, may run for congressional seat Democrat Ted Deutch is vacating," by Sun Sentinel's Anthony Man NEW REQUIREMENTS — "Floridians asked to update registration aren't in danger of losing right to vote ," by Orlando Sentinel's Steven Lemongello: The thousands of Central Florida residents who have received letters asking them to update their voter registrations for the first time in 16 years will still be able to cast ballots even if they don't respond, county elections supervisors say. But they would need to update their registration information if they want to make any changes to their registrations in the future, including switching parties or signing up to vote by mail. — " David Richardson officially files for HD 106, debuts campaign launch video," by Florida Politics' Jesse Scheckner
| | | | SUBSCRIBE TO NATIONAL SECURITY DAILY : Keep up with the latest critical developments from Ukraine and across Europe in our daily newsletter, National Security Daily. The Russian invasion of Ukraine could disrupt the established world order and result in a refugee crisis, increased cyberattacks, rising energy costs and additional disruption to global supply chains. Go inside the top national security and foreign-policymaking shops for insight on the global threats faced by the U.S. and its allies and what actions world leaders are taking to address them. Subscribe today. | | | | | | | CORONAVIRUS UPDATES | | NORTH V. SOUTH — "Florida and New York share an interstate, but their COVID cultures are worlds apart," by USA Today Network's Suzy Fleming Leonard and Peter D. Kramer: "Faced with the same pandemic — with remarkably similar but no less tragic death tolls (as of Feb. 21, Florida at 68,955; New York at 66,466, out of total populations of 21.78 million in Florida and 20.21 million in New York) — the two states have chosen strikingly different paths forward. Our contrasting COVID cultures impact everything from whether we don masks to how — or even if — we dine out. And because we have made the choices we've made, we give ourselves license to do what we often do when faced with differences: conclude, loudly, that those who disagree are clueless."
| | PENINSULA AND BEYOND | | TO COURT— "Family of 22-year-old who died in Florida federal prison suing officers, warden," by Tampa Bay Times' Romy Ellenbogen: " A 22-year-old inmate died in a Florida federal prison last year after being pepper-sprayed and restrained for nearly two days, according to a lawsuit filed Monday on behalf of his father. Davon Gillians' May 19 death was ruled a homicide in August by the Sumter County Medical Examiner's office, which noted that pepper spray use and "prolonged restraint following altercation" were contributing factors in his death. Gillians' father, Robert Conyers, is suing six corrections officers at the Coleman federal corrections complex for wrongful death and for violation of the Eighth Amendment prohibition on cruel and unusual punishment." — "As many Cubans oppose the war, Ukraine rebukes the island government's support of Russia," by Miami Herald's Nora Gámez Torres — " Fired union chief files federal lawsuit against Broward Sheriff's Office," by Sun Sentinel's Angie DiMichele — " St. Petersburg will remain sister cities with St. Petersburg but support Ukraine," by Tampa Bay Times' Colleen Wright
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Healthier Happens Together. Learn more. | | | | | ODDS, ENDS AND FLORIDA MEN | | — "Trump supporter pleads guilty to vandalizing South Florida LGBTQ Pride insurrection," by Sun Sentinel's David Fleshler: "A Trump supporter who vandalized a gay pride streetscape in Delray Beach pleaded guilty Tuesday to reckless driving and criminal mischief. Alexander Jerich, of Lake Worth Beach, used a pickup truck to burn tire marks across a rainbow-flagged intersection downtown June 14, an event captured on a video that went viral." BIRTHDAYS: State Sen. Manny Diaz | | | | 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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