News : POLITICO Florida Playbook: Until we meet again

Friday, July 22, 2022

POLITICO Florida Playbook: Until we meet again

Jul 22, 2022

Hello and welcome to Friday.

The one and only — Rep. Charlie Crist and Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried had their sole debate on Thursday, and while it wasn't the full blown chaos some had predicted, it featured a gaffe, hot takes and jabs but no really go-to moment that seems destined to alter the trajectory of the primary.

Observations — Most of the debate Fried remained focused on what she wanted to do and try to strike a contrast between her and Crist. But she appeared tentative at the outset and made a gaffe with one of her key lines of attack. She called herself "pro-life" instead of "pro-choice" at the open. Crist deftly capitalized on the mistake and said that " I just noted that my opponent said she's been pro-life her whole life. Sometimes that happens, Nikki. And I know that's not the case. And I hope you know that's not the case with me."

Lots of DeSantis — While the rivals went after each other on occasion, they also spent plenty of time bashing the current incumbent. Gov. Ron DeSantis was called a bully, anti-Democratic and Fried even said his actions amounted to "fascism." Both candidates said the governor is more interested in running for president than taking care of problems at home. (But there was scant mention of Covid-19 – a sign that both candidates have decided it's no longer an issue to criticize DeSantis over.)

Insurance talking points — But much of the debate included Fried's constant reminder that Crist used to be a Republican, one that the campaign has been promising to amplify to voters ahead of the Aug. 23 primary. (Still waiting on that.) But that included an odd criticism that Crist helped out trial lawyers when dealing with Florida's property insurance issues when he was governor. Fried's remarks echoed that of the insurance industry — and ignored that former Gov. Rick Scott undid much of Crist's actions.

Will she endorse? — The Crist campaign, meanwhile, tried to seize upon Fried's seeming recalcitrance at Democratic unity. Crist said that he would endorse Fried if she won primary. Fried, however, did not say she would endorse Crist and instead responded by saying that Crist would lose to Gov. Ron DeSantis and she was the only candidate who could defeat him. Fried's campaign responded after the debate by pointing out Fried said at the Democratic convention last weekend that almost anyone else was better than DeSantis and that she would support Crist.

— WHERE'S RON? — Gov. DeSantis is scheduled to speak Friday at the Turning Point USA Student Action Summit being held in Tampa.

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 .

CAMPAIGN MODE

SHOWDOWN — Insults fly as Crist, Fried clash during Florida Democratic debate , by POLITICO's Matt Dixon: Nikki Fried says Charlie Crist is a fake Democrat. Crist says she is wrong about that — and he can prove it. Those themes — as well as combative exchanges — defined of much of a debate Thursday night between Fried, the state's Agriculture Commissioner, and Crist, a congressman from St. Petersburg and Florida's former Republican governor. The event punctuated weeks of increasing tension between the two Democrats vying to take on GOP Gov. Ron DeSantis.

I know you are but what am I — That testy back-and-forth was just one of many throughout the debate and continued the line of attack Fried repeatedly used throughout the primary: That she is a better Democrat than Crist and his record as a Republican should be held against him. Crist, however, leads in the money race, most public polling and has secured a wave of endorsements as the Democratic party coalesces around him.

Commissioner Nikki Fried, left, and Rep. Charlie Crist shake hands.

Commissioner Nikki Fried, left, and Rep. Charlie Crist shake hands moments before the Telemundo 51 / NBC 6 "Decision 2022: Democratic Gubernatorial Debate" in Miramar, Fla. | Telemundo 51 & NBC 6

— " Crist stripped of personal pen, fan before Fried debate faceoff ," by NBC News' Marc Caputo

— " 5 takeaways from the televised Fried, Crist Democratic governor primary debate ," by Miami Herald's Bianca Padró Ocasio and Tampa Bay Times' Romy Ellenbogen

— " Nikki Fried wows Broward Democratic audience. Charlie Crist appears via video ," by South Florida Sun-Sentinel

WEEKEND PLANNING

Scrapped — President Joe Biden is not coming to Florida after all. He came down with Covid-19, forcing him to scrap his planned visit on Monday to Orlando and Tampa. And the two main Democrats running for governor — Charlie Crist and Nikki Fried — had a spirited debate on Thursday that featured a gaffe, hot takes and jabs but no real go-to moment that seems destined to alter the trajectory of the primary.

Enter from the right — But now it's time for the GOP to take center stage. Many of Florida's top Republicans are scheduled to be on hand for multiple events being held over the next few days, including the Turning Point USA Student Action Summit scheduled for the Tampa Convention Center.

Big lineup — The summit — which organizers say will feature activists from across the country and top conservative personalities — will have Gov. Ron DeSantis on Friday and former President Donald Trump on Saturday. There are also supposed to be remarks by Sen. Rick Scott, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz and Fox News hosts such as Laura Ingraham.

DNC greetings — A Democratic National Committee official told Playbook the group plans to highlight the "extreme agenda" of those taking the stage at the summit. DNC Chair Jaime Harrison and Florida Rep. Kathy Castor are holding a press call Friday morning where they plan to criticize the "GOP for their ultra-MAGA agenda." Democrats will also have a mobile billboard roaming the streets of downtown Tampa. They also plan to hand out flyers that include information on where Florida parents can get "information they need to find COVID vaccines for children under five" after DeSantis "chose to be the only governor in the country who refused to pre-order them."

Sunshine Summit — Meanwhile, the Republican Party of Florida is holding its Sunshine Summit in Hollywood on Friday evening and Saturday at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino. DeSantis is scheduled to be the keynote speaker at the Victory Dinner that's part of the summit. Somehow DeSantis' speech is scheduled roughly at the same time as Trump's speech across the state. Others scheduled to appear at the RPOF event include Sen. Marco Rubio, Attorney General Ashley Moody and Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis. Four congressional debates are also planned.

Select coverage only — The RPOF, saying that media capacity is "limited," only invited certain media outlets to attend the summit and it's not clear if any Florida-based news organizations will be among them including South Florida television stations. (This means that it's unclear if rank-and-file voters will learn much about the four scheduled congressional debates.) Given the lineup of conservative media personalities appearing at the summit it would seem likely that coverage of the summit will show up on conservative outlets — a move that could help someone, if say, they were planning to run for higher office in 2024.

Also being held — Mavericks Inc. the educational and advocacy arm of Maverick PAC, a national network for conservative young professionals, will be in Tampa on Friday and Saturday hosting its annual conference. Both Rubio and Scott are scheduled to speak at the event as are Moody, Reps. Michael Waltz, Byron Donalds and former Florida Secretary of State Laurel Lee.

MAGIC 8-BALL SAYS — " Will Hispanic voter shift doom Florida Democrats in 2022 and beyond ?" by USA Today Network-Florida's Zac Anderson: "Democrats acknowledge that they have almost no chance of winning statewide if they can't dominate in Miami-Dade and win back Hispanic swing voters statewide. 'If we don't recuperate our numbers in Miami-Dade back to historic numbers… the math doesn't work and that goes through the Hispanic community no question,' said state Sen. Annette Taddeo, a Miami Democrat who is running for Congress in a competitive contest in South Florida."

TO COURT — " Florida congresswoman sues opponent for message claiming she 'embezzled' funds ," by Miami Herald's Bianca Padro Ocasio and Aaron Leibowitz: "Democratic U.S. Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick is suing campaign opponent Dale Holness for more than $1 million, accusing his campaign of sending a defamatory text message that refers to allegations the congresswoman used taxpayer money to fund her race against Holness last year. In a lawsuit filed Wednesday night in Broward County Circuit Court, Cherfilus-McCormick said Holness and one of his campaign staffers made 'maliciously false statements' about her in a fundraising message sent to voters by text."

FALLOUT — " A government official helped them register. Now they've been charged with voter fraud ," by ProPublica's Bianca Fortis: "In all, 10 of the men who the official helped register to vote have been charged with voter fraud on the grounds they were ineligible. …State investigators found that some jail employees remembered the elections official giving clear directions to inmates about having to pay off financial obligations, while others did not. The investigation concluded that the jail visits were 'lacking in both quality and longevity' and 'showed a haphazard registration of inmates.' But the state prosecutor nevertheless proceeded with charges, although not against county officials."

— " Randolph Bracy flyer catches heat in Orange County race for Congress ," by WESH's Greg Fox

— " Election 2022: Grim Reaper, Ayala among Democrats running for Florida attorney general ," by Orlando Sentinel's Jeffrey Schweers

— " Far-right activist Laura Loomer seeks to unseat GOP Rep. Daniel Webster ," by Orlando Sentinel's Skyler Swisher

— " Matt Gaetz campaign gets $17K from Rockefeller heir who had contact with a Russian agent ," by Florida Politics' Aimee Sachs

— " Sentinel teams with AARP, News 13 to offer congressional candidate forum ," by Orlando Sentinel's Roger Simmons

TRUMPLANDIA AND THE SWAMP

'HE COULD NOT BE MOVED' — ' He chose not to act': Jan. 6 panel details Trump's actions during Capitol rio t, by POLITICO's Nicholas Wu and Kyle Cheney: The select panel added new details to the timeline of Trump's actions on Jan. 6, painting a picture of a president who sat idly in the Oval Office, watching on TV as the mob battered its way through police lines and into the Capitol. New images and video shown on Thursday shed specific light on the climate surrounding Trump's vice president, Mike Pence, and members of Congress as they fled violent rioters. The committee aired audio from Pence's Secret Service detail making rapid-fire decisions about the proper route through the Capitol to avoid confronting the mob. "We may lose the ability to leave," one agent warned moments before Pence was ushered to an underground loading dock, where he remained for the remainder of the riot.

— " Agents protecting Pence feared 'for their own lives,' official says ," by Washington Post's Ashley Parker, Isaac Stanley-Becker and Carol D. Leonning

Bennie Thompson delivers opening remarks via video.

Chair Bennie Thompson virtually delivers opening remarks. | Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images

'TAKING THEIR TOLL' — " Independent pro-DeSantis group's study finds moderate Republicans souring on Trump online ," by McClatchy D.C.'s Alex Roarty: "The Jan. 6 congressional hearings have damaged former President Donald Trump's standing with a key group of independent and moderate Republican voters, according to a new study commissioned by a group urging Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis to run for president. The findings could bolster the view that, far from being a political dud, the recent litany of accusations about Trump's connection to last year's attack on the U.S. Capitol has already damaged any future presidential campaign of his — at least for the time being."

INTRODUCING POWER SWITCH: The energy landscape is profoundly transforming. Power Switch is a daily newsletter that unlocks the most important stories driving the energy sector and the political forces shaping critical decisions about your energy future, from production to storage, distribution to consumption. Don't miss out on Power Switch, your guide to the politics of energy transformation in America and around the world. SUBSCRIBE TODAY .

DATELINE D.C.

CALLED OFF — " President Biden cancels Orlando visit after positive COVID test ," by Orlando Sentinel's Steven Lemongello: "President Biden's positive test for COVID-19 means he won't be coming to Orlando and Tampa on Monday. Biden had been scheduled to address the annual conference of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives at the Rosen Shingle Creek Hotel in Orlando. He was also set to talk at a Democratic National Committee event in Tampa. The president will be isolating at the White House for at least the next five days as he recovers from what press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said were 'very mild symptoms' due to being double-vaccinated and twice-boosted."

CALLED OUT — " Tammy Baldwin, who is gay, confronted Marco Rubio about calling same-sex marriage vote a 'stupid waste of time ,'" by CNN's Manu Raju: "As he was walking on an elevator on Wednesday, GOP Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida told CNN that a vote on a bill to codify same-sex marriage was a 'stupid waste of time.' But when he said that, there was another senator on the elevator who heard him: Sen. Tammy Baldwin, the Wisconsin Democrat who is also the first known gay politician elected to the US Senate. 'You probably would have loved to be on the elevator to see the exchange after,' Baldwin told CNN on Thursday, adding: 'of course I did' speak to him about the remark."

Exchange — "'I said that, 'The recent Supreme Court decision eroded a constitutional right to privacy. There's a whole bunch of cases that have been decided based on a constitutional right to privacy that are in jeopardy,' which he disagrees with. And anyways, I said we'll be talking some more,' she said. Baldwin did not reveal what Rubio said in response. She also would not say if she was offended by his remark."

... DATELINE TALLAHASSEE ...

ON TO NEXT ROUND — Appeals court strikes request to move abortion lawsuit to Supreme Court, by POLITICO's Arek Sarkissian: A Florida appeals court has rejected a request by the state to move a lawsuit challenging a new ban on abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy to the state's highest court in a stinging order that also chastised the lower court for blocking the law. The order handed down by a three-judge panel from the 1st District Court of Appeal also rejects a request made by plaintiffs in the case to block enforcement of the ban. "Appellees have not asserted a violation of their own constitutional rights," the order said. "Instead, they seek to vindicate the privacy rights of their patients."

ABOUT TO GET WORSE? — " State: Insurers ratings downgrades could mean chaos for homeowners ," by South Florida Sun-Sentinel's Ron Hurtibise: "State insurance regulators and the Florida Association of Insurance Agents are outraged over letters that Ohio-based Demotech, which assigns financial strength ratings to Florida-based insurers, sent on Tuesday to about 17 of those insurers telling them their A ratings will be downgraded on July 26. In Demotech's rating system, A stands for 'unsurpassed' or 'exceptional.' Demotech's letters told the insurers they would be downgraded to S 'substantial,' or M 'moderate.' The downgrades threaten to throw Florida's already beleaguered insurance market into further turmoil because federally backed mortgage guarantors Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac require borrowers to maintain insurance coverage from A-rated carriers."

THE GUNSHINE STATE

DAY 4 — " Parkland school shooter acted casually after fleeing ," by The Associated Press Terry Spencer: "Florida school shooter Nikolas Cruz walked casually into a sandwich shop minutes after he murdered 14 students and three staff members at Parkland's Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School four years ago, showing no signs of stress or nervousness, video played at his penalty trial Thursday showed. Cruz then walked to a nearby McDonald's, where, by coincidence, he unsuccessfully sought a ride from the brother of a girl he had seriously wounded."

— " Parkland shooter slipped away in panic and chaos at high school, went into fast-food places, videos in court show ," by South Florida Sun-Sentinel's Natalia Galicza

PENINSULA AND BEYOND

PLUGGED IN — " Company plans 6,000+ electric vehicle chargers in Florida ," by The Associated Press: "A New Zealand-based company announced Thursday it plans to install more than 6,000 electric vehicle chargers in Florida over the coming months, mainly at commercial sites, parking lots and other developments. Invisible Urban Charging, based in Auckland, New Zealand, is partnering with Dallas-based Lincoln Property Co. to make the chargers available for all models of electric vehicles. The first are being installed at the new Truist Plaza, a Lincoln Property building in downtown Orlando."

FOR YOUR RADAR — " Cuba to allow foreigners to invest in private businesses, will restart dollar exchanges ," by El Nuevo Herald's Nora Gámez Torres: "Facing a humanitarian crisis that threatens to set off new protests on the island, the Cuban government is taking the unprecedented step of authorizing foreign investment in its emerging private sector and will resume an official exchange market for the dollar, among 75 measures authorities said Thursday are meant to boost the country's economic recovery. Authorities will also cut custom fees and lift restrictions on some goods travelers can bring to the island, Economy Minister and Vice President Alejandro Gil said in a National Assembly meeting on Thursday."

— "' Florida is in midst of a meningococcal outbreak.' What to know about meningitis ," by Miami Herald's Howard Cohen

— " Miami-Dade School Board capitulates to right-wing groups in sex ed textbook debate ," by Miami New Times' Joshua Ceballos

ODDS, ENDS AND FLORIDA MEN

— " Sunrise Police sergeant in throat-grabbing video arrested on battery, assault charges ," by South Florida Sun-Sentinel's Angie DiMichele : "A police sergeant with more than two decades on the force is now facing battery and assault charges months after he grabbed a female officer by the throat and wielded pepper spray during a heated arrest in Sunrise. A Sunrise Police Department spokesperson confirmed in an email Thursday that an arrest warrant was issued for Sgt. Christopher Pullease. He is facing charges of battery on an officer, tampering with evidence, assault on an officer and assault on a civilian male, the Broward State Attorney's Office said in a news release Thursday evening."

BIRTHDAYS: State Sen. Victor Torres … state Rep. Alex Andrade … Desmond Meade, president and executive director of the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition … Don Van Natta Jr., ESPN senior writer... Eric Draper, former director of Florida State Parks … Jamie Miller, Florida director Innovative Advertising … (Saturday) … Fritz Brogan, co-founder and managing partner of Mission Group and former national chairman of Maverick PAC … Charlie Justice , Pinellas County commissioner and former state representative ... Tracie Pough, chief of staff for Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz … (Sunday) Rep. Charlie Crist ... Steve Birtman