News: POLITICO Florida Playbook: Scott takes a hard line on Ukraine

Thursday, March 17, 2022

POLITICO Florida Playbook: Scott takes a hard line on Ukraine

Mar 17, 2022

Good Thursday morning and Happy St. Patrick's Day.

The Scott doctrine — Following Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's impassioned speech to Congress about his nation's war with Russia, Florida Sen. Rick Scott said that it was time to give Zelenskyy what he wants.

Slamming Joe Biden — Scott on Wednesday put it this way: "President Biden needs to make a decision today: either give Ukraine access to the planes and anti-aircraft defense systems it needs to defend itself, or enforce a no-fly zone to close Ukrainian skies to Russian attacks. If President Biden does not do this now, President Biden will show himself to be absolutely heartless and ignorant of the deaths of innocent Ukrainian children and families."

World War III? — The Biden administration has opposed the no-fly zone and the plane transfer because it could lead the United States into going to war with Russia. Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, the vice chairman of the Senate intelligence Committee, said on ABC News earlier this month that the only way to make a no-fly zone work is to be willing to shoot down Russian planes "which is basically the start of World War III."

Other views — Most Democrats in Florida have voiced support for Ukraine but have not advocated for a no-fly zone. Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar, a Miami Republican, has voiced a willingness to back one, but it's a position that earned her some sharp criticism from Tucker Carlson, the Miami Herald points out.

More from Scott — In a brief exchange with a POLITICO reporter in Washington, D.C., Scott emphasized his preference is that Biden should allow the transfer of planes and get more anti-aircraft systems to Ukraine. "They should have been there last week," said Scott, who repeated that Biden is "heartless because he hasn't done it."

And yet — Scott, however, was criticized on Wednesday by New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez, the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, because Scott is blocking the confirmation of several top State Department officials that Menendez contends are needed to help the U.S. effort with Ukraine. "It is amazing to me. …My colleagues who come to the Senate floor to talk about both the need to help Ukraine and the humanitarian realities that are compounding every day," Menendez said in a statement. "They get up and clap and then come to the floor to object to the very things that came help [Ukraine]."

— WHERE'S RON? — Gov. DeSantis is scheduled to be in Mary Esther.

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RUSSIA-UKRAINE

TESTY — "'I'm not going to take the anti-communist lecture': Tucker Carlson spars with Salazar," by Miami Herald's Bianca Padró Ocasio: "In a tense back-and-forth where she invoked Fidel Castro and JFK, U.S. Rep. María Elvira Salazar sparred with Fox News' Tucker Carlson over whether she backs a 'no-fly zone' in Ukraine's airspace, after a video clip where she appeared to support shooting down Russian planes went viral. During the 20-minute interview on 'Tucker Carlson Tonight' on Wednesday, Salazar — a Miami Congresswoman who serves on the House Foreign Affairs Committee — said she wanted to clarify her position on supporting Ukraine against Russian invasion, adding that any questions about whether a 'no-fly zone' would increase the U.S.' involvement in the war were 'hypothetical.'"

— "Republicans try to out-hawk Biden on Ukraine aid," by POLITICO's Burgess Everett, Olivia Beavers and Andrew Desiderio

FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE — "Putin says Russians living large in Miami, French Riviera are traitors to the homeland," by McClatchy D.C.'s Michael Wilner and Ben Wieder: "Russians living in Miami and the French Riviera 'who cannot do without foie gras, oysters or so-called gender freedoms' are traitors to their homeland, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday, dismissing the effects of Western sanctions on Russian nationals with real estate assets overseas. U.S. and European sanctions have decimated the value of the Russian ruble since Putin ordered a brutal military invasion of Ukraine three weeks ago, sending the nation's economy into a tailspin. Western powers are betting 'on national traitors — on those who earn money here, with us, but live there,' Putin said."

CAMPAIGN MODE

BOWING OUT — "DeSantis' Ingoglia endorsement clears Senate field," by POLITICO's Matt Dixon: State Rep. Ralph Massullo has decided to run for reelection to the Florida House rather than seek an open Senate seat, a move that comes days after Gov. Ron DeSantis backed his likely primary opponent. DeSantis earlier this week backed Rep. Blaise Ingoglia, a Spring Hill Republican who was expected to face off against Massullo, a Republican widely believed to have the support of incoming Senate President Kathleen Passidomo. As presiding officer, Passidomo runs 2022 Senate GOP campaigns through the Florida Republican Senatorial Campaign Committee.

From the candidate — "I have the utmost respect and admiration for Governor DeSantis and the job he's doing to keep Florida moving in the right direction," Massullo said in a statement. "Our focus this election should be on expanding our conservative majorities — not tearing each other apart as Republicans. That is why I've decided to forego my campaign for the State Senate and seek re-election to the Florida House."

BUCHANAN BRINGS IT IN FOR GOP — Rep. Vern Buchanan, who is aiming to become House Ways and Means chair if Republicans retake the House, told members of his party at a House GOP conference meeting on Wednesday that a fundraiser scheduled next week at his home in Sarasota is expected to bring in $1 million for the National Republican Congressional Committee. Half of that amount is being personally raised by Buchanan. House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy and NRCC Chairman Tom Emmer are scheduled to attend the March 26th fundraiser where other members of the Florida delegation are expected to raise $500,000.

FOR YOUR RADAR — "Sharief could scramble Democrats' midterm plans with possible run against Book," by POLITICO's Matt Dixon: Senate Minority Leader Lauren Book could face a Democratic primary challenge in 2022, a rare position for a caucus leader and one that could "dramatically" hurt other Democratic Senate candidates in key races. Former Broward County Commissioner Barbara Sharief is considering a run against Book, something that has become an open secret among Florida Democrats bracing for a midterm election cycle already expected to be difficult even before the prospect of their Senate leader facing a primary fight.

Thinking about it — Sharief, who resigned from the county commission to run for the 20th Congressional District left vacant by the death of Democratic Rep. Alcee Hastings, says she is waiting for the state's new congressional maps to be finalized but is very much considering a run for Florida Senate, even though she lives in Book's district. "I have been keeping my options open looking at the Senate and Congress," she told POLITICO via text message. "Because the congressional maps are not out, I haven't made a decision."

'I INTEND TO WIN BIG' — " New maps set up brutal Daytona Beach-area GOP state House primary," by POLITICO's Matt Dixon: Two Republican state House members are set to face off in a likely primary, a byproduct of newly drawn legislative maps passed by lawmakers earlier this month. The new maps rope Republican Reps. Elizabeth Fetterhoff and Webster Barnaby into House District 29, an inland seat just south of Daytona Beach. It's likely the only example of House incumbents from the same party being forced to run against each other due to redistricting — and neither is backing down.

Showdown — "I am definitely running, and I intend to win big," Barnaby said. Barnaby lives in the city of Deltona, and his previous seat makes up a larger portion of the new district than the one represented on the former maps by Fetterhoff, who is from neighboring DeLand. When asked about the primary, Fetterhoff raised health problems that Barnaby has acknowledged publicly but has not discussed in detail. Barnaby missed the first few weeks of the 2022 legislative session due to an "undisclosed illness," according to the Daytona Beach News-Journal.

CAMPAIGN ROUNDUP — Rep. Val Demings picked up two additional endorsements on Wednesday in her campaign to oust Sen. Marco Rubio. Demings has been endorsed by Foreign Policy for America and the Human Rights Campaign PAC . "Demings will bring something to the U.S. Senate on behalf of Floridians that has been missing for too long — a champion for marginalized people, especially LGBTQ+ people, Black people and women," Human Rights Campaign Interim President Joni Madison said in a statement.

... DATELINE TALLAHASSEE ...

WHO WANTS MORE? — "Is 60 days enough time for Florida's legislative session?" by WPTV's Forrest Saunders: "Members have been tardy five for the last six years. Leadership has also regularly called them back for special sessions to address issues. In 2021, lawmakers took extra weeks to tackle vaccine mandates and gaming regulation. Rep. Spencer Roach, R-North Fort Myers, said it was time to discuss change. He has suggested 75 or 90 days instead of the current schedule. 'The Legislature cannot do the work the people have hired us to do in 60 days,' Roach told us earlier this week."

WHAT WE DID IN THE SHADOWS — " Floridians in the dark as secrecy abounds following the 2022 legislative session," by Florida Phoenix's Diane Rado: "From secrecy in hiring presidents at state universities and community colleges to knowing about key information about companies that make and supply drugs used in executions, lawmakers continued to keep Florida residents in the dark in the 2022 session. Florida's First Amendment Foundation this week published a post-session report on what did or didn't get done for Floridians when it comes to public records and public meetings. The Legislature enacted 25 exemptions — new or reinstatements — related to what's called the 'Open Government Sunset Review Act.' (While the Legislature approved the exemptions, they would need to be approved by Gov. Ron DeSantis.)"

— "DeSantis signs law to make names of college presidential candidates secret," by News Service of Florida

— " What can parents, students expect from Florida's K-12 testing overhaul," by Miami Herald's Sommer Brugal and Ana Ceballos

— " Democrats praise birth control funding, but bemoan abortion restrictions," by Florida Politics' Christine Jordan Sexton

— "Worried kids will lose health care coverage, Florida Democrats send letter to Gov. DeSantis ," by Florida Politics' Christine Jordan Sexton

DON'T MISS POLITICO'S INAUGURAL HEALTH CARE SUMMIT ON 3/31: Join POLITICO for a discussion with health care providers, policymakers, federal regulators, patient representatives, and industry leaders to better understand the latest policy and industry solutions in place as we enter year three of the pandemic. Panelists will discuss the latest proposals to overcome long-standing health care challenges in the U.S., such as expanding access to care, affordability, and prescription drug prices. REGISTER HERE.

DATELINE D.C.

DEAR SENATOR RUBIO — "Health experts say making daylight saving time permanent is a terrible idea. Permanent standard time, on the other hand…" by The Boston Globe's Gal Tzpierman Lotan and Sahar Fatima: "Ending the back-and-forth time switch between standard and daylight saving time would put an end to adverse health effects that come from the change, but doctors and sleep experts said Congress is going in the wrong direction. The better choice, many said, would be to make standard time — the zone we inhabit from November to March — the one true time. 'In their zeal to prevent the annual switch, the Senate has unfortunately chosen the wrong time to stabilize onto,' said Dr. Charles Czeisler, chief of the Division of Sleep and Circadian Disorders at Brigham and Women's Hospital."

— "The Senate just voted for you to get less sleep, expert says," by Rolling Stone's Kara Voght

ON THE MOVE — " Top aide to Blue Dog Dems leader heads to K Street," by POLITICO's Caitlin Oprysko: Brad Howard is leaving the Hill, where he served as chief of staff to Rep. Stephanie Murphy (D-Fla.) for the last five years, and joining the Vogel Group as a principal as the firm looks to bulk up its Democratic practice. Murphy, who decided not to seek reelection this year, is chief deputy whip and a co-chair of the Democratic moderate Blue Dog Coalition, giving Howard a role as a key powerbroker for House moderates in numerous intraparty clashes over the years, including the fight over the bipartisan infrastructure bill and Build Back Better Act.

CORONAVIRUS UPDATES

CONCLUSIONS — "UF finds 'no merit' to claims that staff faced 'barriers' in Covid-19 research," by POLITICO's Andrew Atterbury: University of Florida leaders in a report released Wednesday determined there was "no merit" to allegations that faculty members were pressured into destroying Covid-19 data or suppressing research under nefarious political circumstances during the pandemic. The claims were made in December as Florida's flagship university faced a gauntlet of criticism surrounding the culture, and namely academic freedom, at the Gainesville school in the wake of top officials blocking professors from testifying in a voter rights lawsuit opposing legislation backed by Gov. Ron DeSantis.

— "Florida to update COVID-19 data less frequently than all other states," by Palm Beach Post's Chris Persaud

THE GUNSHINE STATE

SETTLEMENT — "Florida massacre families to get millions for FBI's inaction," by The Associated Press: "Federal officials confirmed Wednesday that the U.S. Department of Justice has reached a multimillion-dollar settlement with the families of most of those killed or wounded in a 2018 Florida high school massacre over the FBI's failure to stop the gunman even though it had received information he intended to attack."

40 cases resolved — "Attorneys for 16 of the 17 killed at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland and some of those wounded previously announced in November that they had reached a monetary settlement with the government over the FBI's failure to investigate a tip it received about a month before the massacre. The 17th family chose not to sue. The government's announcement Wednesday said the settlement resolves 40 cases connected to the shooting for $127.5 million. The settlement does not amount to an admission of fault by the United States, according to a Justice Department news release."

— "Judge: Travis Rudolph can't use 'stand your ground' defense in 2019 Lake Park homicide," by Palm Beach Post's Gerard Albert III

PENINSULA AND BEYOND

JAIL TIME — "Jacksonville Navy officer gets prison time in secrecy-clouded case involving Chinese CEO," by Florida Times-Union's Steve Patterson: " A Jacksonville-based U.S. Navy officer will spend four years behind bars for crimes he committed because of his connection to a Chinese business executive, a federal judge said Wednesday. Lt. Fan Yang, 37, was convicted in November of conspiracy and gun crimes for supplying the executive with guns to use at shooting ranges during business trips to America. The sentence also covered his conviction for lying to Navy officials to hide his relationship with the executive, Shanghai Breeze Technology Co. Chairman Ge Songtao. The executive was trying to smuggle American-made equipment to China to copy for the Chinese military and hired Yang's wife to help his company while Yang was stationed at Jacksonville Naval Air Station."

ODDS, ENDS AND FLORIDA MEN

— "Florida manatee feeding program to wind down as temps warm," by The Associated Press' Curt Anderson: "The experimental program that has fed tons of lettuce to starving manatees in Florida will begin to wind down as the weather warms, wildlife officials said Wednesday. The feeding program at a power plant on Florida's east coast so far has provided the slow-moving marine mammals with more than 128,000 pounds of food financed almost entirely by donations from across the U.S. and beyond. The federal-state effort is aimed at preventing, as much as possible, another die-off of manatees like Florida saw in 2021."

BIRTHDAYS: State Rep. David Smith … Sean Shaw, former state legislator and founder of People Over Profits

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