| | | | |  | | By Gary Fineout | It's Wednesday and Hurricane Ian is likely to make landfall in southwest Florida in the next few hours. Happening overnight — The monster storm has strengthened into a "an extremely dangerous" Category 4 hurricane. It's already pummeling the southern end of the state with rain, spawning tornadoes and bringing flooding to the Florida Keys. Assessment — Gov. Ron DeSantis — who is expected to hold an emergency briefing in just a few minutes at the state operations center in Tallahassee — warned shortly before midnight that time had just about run out for people to evacuate ahead of the storm. Roughly 2.5 million Floridians had been urged by local authorities to leave their homes. Earlier in the evening, DeSantis said "this thing's the real deal" and a major storm. What to expect next — DeSantis said that "millions" of people would likely lose power and the storm's expected slow crawl would take it up through the middle of the state and then out in the Atlantic some time on Friday. Kevin Guthrie, the state's emergency management director, said that there will be "statewide impacts." No drama — Earlier in the evening, while appearing on Fox News DeSantis — who has had a contentious relationship with the White House — said he had talked to President Joe Biden and that "it's my sense the administration wants to help. They realize this is a very significant storm." The waiting is now over. Let's hope for everyone in Florida that the worst is not realized. — WHERE'S RON? — Gov. DeSantis is scheduled to hold a press conference at the state emergency operations center in Tallahassee this morning. Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for Playbook? Get in touch: gfineout@politico.com
| | | | HAPPENING 9/29 - POLITICO'S AI & TECH SUMMIT : Technology is constantly evolving and so are the politics and policies shaping and regulating it. Join POLITICO for the 2022 AI & Tech summit to get an insider look at the pressing policy and political issues shaping tech, and how Washington interacts with the tech sector. The summit will bring together lawmakers, federal regulators, tech executives, tech policy experts and consumer advocates to dig into the intersection of tech, politics, regulation and innovation, and identify opportunities, risks and challenges ahead. REGISTER FOR THE SUMMIT HERE. | | | | | |  | ...HURRICANE HOLE... | | STRONGER — "Hurricane Ian strengthens into powerful Category 4 storm with 140 mph winds as it nears Florida," by Naples Daily News' Cheryl McCloud and Diane Pantaleo: "Hurricane Ian has grown into a powerful Category 4 storm, with maximum sustained winds now at 140 mph, according to the latest advisory from the National Hurricane Center. The storm is expected to bring life-threatening storm surge, catastrophic winds and flooding to Florida. Tornadoes also are a risk and several warnings and watches have been issued around the state Tuesday night and into this morning as rain bands move across Florida." HERE IT COMES — Florida prepares for catastrophic flooding as Hurricane Ian approaches, by POLITICO's Arek Sarkissian and Kelly Garrity: As Hurricane Ian strengthened and moved closer to Florida on Tuesday, government officials and residents began preparing for the worst. More than two million people in Florida are under evacuation orders, including residents in almost 100 nursing homes in Pinellas County alone. Tampa International Airport suspended operations Tuesday, and hotels are turning tourists away. Florida emergency responders beefed up search-and-rescue efforts along the Gulf Coast in case the storm unleashes catastrophic flooding and deadly storm surges.
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A sign outside of a gas station reads, "we have water and gas" as residents prepare for the possible arrival of Hurricane Ian on Sept. 27, 2022 in St. Petersburg Beach, Fla. | Joe Raedle/Getty Images | 'NOT LIVING IN OUR PARENTS CLIMATE' — People built in harm's way. Here comes Ian, by POLITICO's Zack Colman: The Category 3 hurricane, projected to make landfall as early as Wednesday, is aiming toward a stretch of coast south of Tampa Bay where condo buildings and single-family homes crowd barrier islands and inland communities vulnerable to flooding. Along with Ian's dangerous winds and the risk of flash floods, a special worry is the coast's susceptibility to storm surge — a phenomenon that scientists say climate change has worsened. "It's No. 1 on everybody's list," said Albert Slap, president of Boca Raton, Fla.-based firm Coastal Risk Consulting. "The backbone of our economy is where people live and work. What Mother Nature is putting out to us is different — we're not living in our parents' climate anymore." THE BIG ONE — "'The Real Deal': Florida's low-lying Gulf coast braces for Hurricane Ian," by The New York Times' Patricia Mazzei, Charles Ballaro and Elisabeth Parker: "As Hurricane Ian winds its way north after swiping western Cuba, the Tampa Bay region and southwest Florida could now face a level of destruction that many who live along the densely populated coast and its white-sand beaches have never experienced. No matter where the storm hits, millions of people will be affected." AFTERMATH — " Cuba in the dark after Hurricane Ian knocks out power grid," by The Associated Press's Andrea Rodríguez: "Cuba remained in the dark early Wednesday after Hurricane Ian knocked out its power grid and devastated some of the country's most important tobacco farms when it hit the island's western tip as a major storm. Authorities were working overnight to gradually restore service to the country's 11 million people, according to a statement from Cuba's Electric Union. Power was initially knocked out to about 1 million people in Cuba's western provinces, but later the entire grid collapsed." — " DeSantis, Biden play nice as Hurricane Ian freezes midterm politics in Florida," by Miami Herald's Bianca Padró Ocasio and the Tampa Bay Times' Emily L. Mahoney and McClatchy D.C.'s Alex Roarty and Michael Wilner — Florida officials make last-minute plea ahead of 'extremely dangerous' Hurricane Ian, by POLITICO's Arek Sarkissian — "DeSantis faces leadership test as Hurricane Ian comes bearing down on Florida, " by CNN's Steve Contorno — "Why is Ian's path so hard to predict? There's a reason for the whiplash," by Myrtle Beach Sun News' Chase Karacostas — "Disney, Universal close for Hurricane Ian; Rosen Hotels host evacuees," by Orlando Sentinel's Katie Rice CRISIS — Could Hurricane Ian provide final blow to Florida's property insurance market? by POLITICO's Matt Dixon: As Hurricane Ian moves towards Florida, there is universal concern that the state's already rickety property insurance marketplace could be decimated by the storm. But there's little agreement on what should come next. Citizens Property Insurance, the insurer of last resort for those who can't get coverage in the private market, has more than 1 million policies, which could leave the state with a multi-billion dollar tab in Hurricane Ian's wake. And with such a potentially catastrophic storm bearing down on the state and the insurance market in turmoil, lawmakers are concerned that Florida's trend of insurance companies going insolvent or leaving the state will continue. — "Charlie Crist declines to criticize Ron DeSantis' storm response, but chides insurance remarks," by Florida Politics' Gray Rohrer — " Hurricane Ian could smash Florida's fragile property insurance market," by Orlando Sentinel's Jeffrey Schweers FOR YOUR RADAR — " Pollution from Florida mining a concern with Hurricane Ian," by The Associated Press' Curt Anderson: "The polluted leftovers of Florida's phosphate fertilizer mining industry, more than 1 billion tons in "stacks" that resemble enormous ponds, are at risk for leaks or other contamination when Hurricane Ian comes ashore in the state, environmental groups say. Florida has 24 such phosphogypsum stacks, most of them concentrated in mining areas in the central part of the state. About 30 million tons of this slightly radioactive waste is generated every year, according to the Florida Industrial and Phosphate Research Institute." FPL SPEAKS — "With Hurricane Ian approaching, FPL defends storm-hardening work amid pending $15 billion request," by POLITICO's Bruce Ritchie: Spending billions of dollars to harden the electrical system against storms such as approaching Hurricane Ian has "indisputable" benefits for customers, Florida Power & Light Co. chief Eric Silagy said Tuesday as his utility was bracing for the storm. But an FPL proposal to spend $15 billion over the next 10 years faces opposition from critics who say the utility would charge customers for some work that should be considered maintenance of the electrical grid.
| | CAMPAIGN MODE | | DISRUPTION — "Hurricane Ian plays havoc with election campaign season in Florida," by USA Today Network-Florida's John Kennedy: "Hurricane Ian is playing havoc with political season in Florida, prompting at least a temporary pause in the state's high-stakes governor's race, U.S. Senate campaign and scores of other contests. President Biden's swing Tuesday through Fort Lauderdale and Orlando was postponed over the weekend and Florida candidates quickly dropped planned events and pivoted their social media sites toward urging hurricane preparation. But campaigns getting knocked off course by major storms is becoming a familiar disruption in the Sunshine State." — " Hurricane Ian bears down on Florida election deadline," by Florida Politics' Renzo Downey RACE TO THE FINISH — " Democratic ex-cop Demings closes in on Republican Rubio in Florida," by Reuters' Richard Cowan: Democratic U.S. Representative Val Demings enters the final weeks of her campaign to unseat Republican U.S. Senator Marco Rubio in a stronger position than many observers had expected in conservative-leaning Florida. Demings, a former Orlando police chief, is the underdog against Rubio, who is seeking his third six-year term in the Senate and ran unsuccessfully for the 2016 Republican U.S. presidential nomination. But recent polls show Demings pulling close to Rubio ahead of the Nov. 8 midterm election, even as the state's Republican Governor, Ron DeSantis, maintains a wide lead over Democratic challenger Charlie Crist.
| | | | DON'T MISS - MILKEN INSTITUTE ASIA SUMMIT : Go inside the 9th annual Milken Institute Asia Summit, taking place from September 28-30, with a special edition of POLITICO's Global Insider newsletter, featuring exclusive coverage and insights from this important gathering. Stay up to speed with daily updates from the summit, which brings together more than 1,200 of the world's most influential leaders from business, government, finance, technology, and academia. Don't miss out, subscribe today. | | | | | | | ... DATELINE TALLAHASSEE ... | | ANOTHER LENGTHY PROFILE — "Ron DeSantis: The making and remaking (and remaking) of a MAGA heir," by Vanity Fair's Gabriel Sherman: "'[Gov. Ron] DeSantis has caught a moment where he's a stark contrast to Trump's crazy governing style, and he's doing it from a MAGA state,' said longtime Republican strategist Scott Reed. "He's got two of the best assets: He can raise money and he has a message." MAGA voters love that DeSantis has made owning the libs and attacking the media raisons d'être of his governorship. (DeSantis declined to comment for this story.) So far, the DeSantis-Trump smackdown has been unfolding off camera. But it likely won't stay that way. DeSantis in private trashes [former President Donald] Trump. 'He calls him a TV personality and a moron who has no business running for president,' a former DeSantis staffer said." — "Medical boards cancel Tallahassee workshop on gender-affirming care due to Hurricane Ian," by Florida Politics' Christine Jordan Sexton — " Medicaid providers ask circuit court to protect them from $15 minimum wage-related lawsuits," by Florida Politics' Christine Jordan Sexton
| | TRUMPLANDIA AND THE SWAMP | | ADD IT UP — "How Trump and DeSantis are already splitting the conservative movement," by CNN's Gabby Orr: "For months now, conservatives have been quietly debating the merits of Trump vs. DeSantis, asking themselves if Trump, who remains caught in a web of legal troubles, is too damaged or polarizing to return the White House to Republicans and effectively implement the changes many conservatives seek. Or if DeSantis, with his 'anti-woke' crusade and surging popularity, is a superior alternative to the 45th President or a political chameleon – someone who might creep toward the center in a general election. 'I've heard people say that Trump was John the Baptist paving the way for Jesus,' said a senior official at another prominent conservative organization. 'I've also heard concerns that DeSantis is a really smart operator who read the tea leaves and slid into this position at the right time, so he can't necessarily be trusted.'" 'IT IS NOT PATRIOTISM' — 'Afraid of losing their power': Judge decries GOP leaders who back Trump election claims , by POLITICO's Kyle Cheney: A federal judge delivered a blistering rebuke of Republican Party leaders Tuesday for what she said was a cynical attempt to stoke false claims of election fraud of the kind that fueled the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol. U.S. District Court Judge Amy Berman Jackson said former President Donald Trump had turned his lies about the election into a litmus test for Republican candidates and that "high-ranking members of Congress and state officials" are "so afraid of losing their power" that they won't contradict him. That fealty, she said, comes even as law enforcement and judges involved in cases related to the former president are facing unprecedented threats of violence. STONE ZONE — "Roger Stone promoted violence, then sought pardon after Jan. 6, evidence shows," by The New York Times' Luke Broadwater, Alan Feuer and Maggie Haberman: "Shortly after the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol, as authorities began arresting people across the country in connection with the violence, the political operative Roger J. Stone Jr. started texting with a lawyer representing President Donald J. Trump in his second impeachment trial, seeking a pardon. 'There will be mass prosecutions,' Mr. Stone wrote to David I. Schoen, the lawyer. 'Mark my words.' Could Mr. Schoen 'plug' his pardon request the next time he spoke to the president? The text messages are part of a trove of video evidence Danish filmmakers have turned over to the House committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, assault on the Capitol, which also shows Mr. Stone threatening violence and spelling out plans to fight the election results." WHAT CHRIS KISE IS READING — "Newest addition to Trump's legal team sidelined in Mar-a-Lago search case," by CNN's Kaitlan Collins: "The newest addition to former President Donald Trump's legal team, Chris Kise, has been sidelined from the Mar-a-Lago documents investigation less than a month after he was brought on to represent Trump in the matter, two sources familiar with the move tell CNN. Kise is expected to remain on Trump's legal team but is not leading the work related to the federal government's investigation into how the former President handled 11,000 documents seized from his Florida home in August following a lengthy effort by the government to retrieve them. The reason for the shift in Kise's role remains unclear and he may instead focus his efforts on the other investigations Trump is facing, which range from his business practices to the January 6 insurrection." | 
Donald Trump's attorneys Chris Kise and James Trusty arrive at Brooklyn Federal Court on Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Brittainy Newman) | AP |
ON HOLD — Jan. 6 panel postpones last hearing due to Hurricane Ian, by POLITICO's Nicholas Wu: The Jan. 6 select committee's Wednesday hearing has been postponed as Hurricane Ian bears down on Florida, panel leaders announced Tuesday. The hearing was expected to be the last from the select panel, likely highlighting former President Donald Trump's continued efforts to delegitimize the results of the 2020 election he lost. The committee was expected to feature testimony from members of Trump's Cabinet it interviewed in August, who told lawmakers about internal discussions to invoke the 25th Amendment — an attempt to remove Trump from power in the final days of his presidency.
| | THE GUNSHINE STATE | | 'DREADING THIS PHASE' — "His sister died in the Parkland massacre. He wants the gunman to live," by Washington Post's Danielle Paquette: "Even 3,200 miles away in a new city, he struggled to avoid news out of the Fort Lauderdale courtroom where jurors will soon decide whether Cruz lives or dies. Since the proceedings began in July, they have reviewed nightmarish surveillance footage, toured bloodstained classrooms and heard, in clinical detail, how AR-15 bullets destroyed young bodies." Reaction — "Robert [Schentrup] refused to watch, but when he thought about prosecutors mentioning Carmen, he got angry. Then he started typing. "I have been dreading this phase of the trial for the last four and a half years," he posted on Twitter. "Because this is the part where people will tell me that retribution will bring 'justice' and 'healing' to me and my family. This is the part where pundits on TV will invoke the name of my sister to support the murder of another human being' … "You cannot say that murder is heinous or unforgiveable," Robert wrote on Twitter, "while advocating for the murder of someone else." — "Stoneman Douglas gunman was not as mentally challenged as his defense portrayal, prosecution says in rebuttal," by South Florida Sun-Sentinel's Rafael Olmeda
| | PENINSULA AND BEYOND | | 'HE NEVER DENIED AT ALL' — DeSantis-appointed county commissioner resigns after alleged Ku Klux Klan picture emerges, by POLITICO's Matt Dixon: A Gadsden County Commissioner appointed by Gov. Ron DeSantis abruptly resigned last week after pictures allegedly showing him in a Ku Klux Klan outfit started to circulate, according to Gadsden County Sheriff Morris Young. Young said that the pictures were brought to him last Tuesday and multiple people told him the pictures were of Gadsden County Commissioner Jeff Moore. He said when he approached Moore about the pictures, Moore did not deny it was him.
| | ODDS, ENDS AND FLORIDA MEN | | BIRTHDAYS: Republican Party of Florida executive director Helen Aguirre Ferré … former Rep. Curt Clawson
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