| | | | |  | | By Gary Fineout | Hello and welcome to Thursday. Greetings — "Mr. President, welcome to Florida." Those were the words that Gov. Ron DeSantis gave moments ahead of President Joe Biden's remarks on the ground amid the devastation wrought by Hurricane Ian. The meeting — DeSantis and Biden have for months now exchanged barbs and criticism over everything from immigration to vaccines and masks with the most recent tussle being over DeSantis' decision to transport migrants from Texas to Martha's Vineyard. But all that was gone on Wednesday. Instead, there was a handshake, there was a briefing and there were pledges of cooperation. No drama and no finger-pointing, perhaps to the disappointment of the D.C. media crowd. Bipartisan praise — DeSantis thanked Biden for the collaboration between the federal government and the state. And Biden — who was supposed to hold a political rally in Orlando with Charlie Crist right before the hurricane slammed into the state — praised DeSantis' efforts. "I think he's done a good job," Biden told reporters. He added, "we have very different political philosophies, but we've worked hand in glove." Close enough? — No, it's not an endorsement for DeSantis' second term, but it comes at a time when some Democrats had begun to question the governor's storm response efforts and it will likely add to the momentum behind DeSantis as he approaches the November election. About that one comment — There was one moment that some pundits latched onto, and that's when Biden said the storm and other disasters have ended the discussion on climate change and that the governor had recognized "global warming." Some saw it as a slight to DeSantis since it's a term he doesn't use and he has said previously that it gets used to justify "left wing stuff." But DeSantis has championed mitigation and resiliency efforts, including spending money to deal with rising sea levels. The path ahead — Will this type of bipartisan harmony last long? Oh, probably not forever or even a few months from now. If DeSantis runs for president in 2024, there will be plenty of time to resume the partisan rhetoric. But it wouldn't be a surprise if DeSantis remains focused on storm recovery efforts between now and Nov. 8 and kept the political posturing in the background. — WHERE'S RON? — Gov. DeSantis is expected to be in southwest Florida. Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for Playbook? Get in touch: gfineout@politico.com
| | | | JOIN NEXT WEDNESDAY FOR A TALK ON U.S.-CHINA AND XI JINPING'S NEW ERA: President Xi Jinping will consolidate control of the ruling Chinese Communist Party later this month by engineering a third term as China's paramount leader, solidifying his rule until at least 2027. Join POLITICO Live for a virtual conversation hosted by Phelim Kine, author of POLITICO's China Watcher newsletter, to unpack what it means for U.S.-China relations. REGISTER HERE. | | | | | |  | ...HURRICANE HOLE... | | SITUATIONAL AWARENESS — It's been more than a week since Hurricane Ian ripped into Florida and slightly more than 218,000 home and businesses remain without power, according to new figures posted this morning by the Florida Public Service Commission. The death toll continues to mount. Official numbers from the state released Wednesday evening said there had been 89 fatalities associated with the storm, including 49 deaths in Lee County. Also of note, insurers have reported more than $2.8 billion in estimated insured losses and nearly 336,000 claims. That number is also expected to grow. THE TOLL — "Ian is probably Florida's deadliest hurricane since 1935. Most victims drowned," by Washington Post's Danielle Paquette and Meryl Kornfield: "The water was rising quickly, so the women ran to the top floor of the vacation house they had rented for Nishelle Harris-Miles's 40th birthday and huddled together on a bed. But Hurricane Ian's storm surge gushed through the floor, lifting the mattress higher and higher until the four were smashed against the ceiling. Then the roof collapsed, lodging a nail into the neck of the woman they affectionately called Nene. 'Nene died right there with us,' said Chanel Maston, 48, sobbing as she recounted the ordeal. 'She took her last breaths with us.'" TOGETHER — Biden and DeSantis project unity amid Ian's devastation," by POLITICO's Matt Dixon, Kelly Hooper and Olivia Olander: President Joe Biden was profuse in his praise for Gov. Ron DeSantis during his remarks after a Wednesday briefing on the storm. The president's accolades will likely to help insulate DeSantis from critics who have suggested the governor didn't do enough to warn residents ahead of the hurricane. Some have pointed to DeSantis' administration timing and messaging surrounding evacuations ahead of the storm as a potential misstep that could have left people in harm's way. — "' We appreciate working together.' DeSantis, Biden tout hurricane response in Fort Myers," by Miami Herald's Bianca Padro Ocasio, McClatchy D.C.'s Alex Roarty and FLKeysNews.com's David Goodhue — " During Florida visit, Biden and DeSantis put politics (largely) on hold," by The New York Times' Katie Rogers — "Biden, DeSantis meet in Florida, pledging bipartisanship on Ian relief ," by Washington Post's Toluse Olorunnipa | 
From left, Florida's first lady Casey DeSantis, Gov. Ron DeSantis, first lady Jill Biden and President Joe Biden in Fort Myers. | Saul Young/Knoxville News Sentinel via AP, Pool |
ON THE GROUND — "In hurricane's wake, Southwest Florida residents demand more federal help," by The New York Times' Julie Bosman, Eliza Fawcett, Emily Cochrane and Jack Healy: "Like many other conservative residents of storm-battered southwest Florida, Pamela Swartz has long been leery of government spending. But as she stood among the smashed boats, gutted homes and overwhelming loss left by Hurricane Ian, Ms. Swartz said that federal aid could not come soon enough. 'This is their time to step in,' said Ms. Swartz, whose garage in Fort Myers Beach had been flooded by Ian's devastating storm surge. She was already frustrated after trying to file a federal storm claim. 'This is what we pay our taxes for.'"
PATH AHEAD — " Aid workers have helped thousands in Florida hit by Hurricane Ian. The work is far from over," by USA Today Network-Florida's Kathryn Varn : "While many efforts in Florida are still focused on immediate survival, including the opening of several congregate shelters for those whose homes were swept away or deemed unlivable, the looming question is how to provide survivors with medium- and long-term housing in a state already plagued by an affordable housing crisis. 'We are aware that this is going to be a very long process for many of the people and families that have been impacted by this hurricane,' said Marcus Coleman, director of the Department of Homeland Security Center for Faith-Based Neighborhood Partnerships." | 
President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden talk to people impacted by Hurricane Ian during a tour of the area on Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2022, in Fort Myers, Fla. | Evan Vucci/AP Photo | AFTERMATH — "Florida's waterways contaminated post-Ian, posing risks," by Washington Post's Kasha Patel: "Sewage pipelines overflowed into waterways. Toppled portable toilets spilled into floodwaters. Gasoline and motor oil leaked from partly submerged vehicles. Downed trees have started decomposing on waterlogged roads. Dave Tomasko, director of the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program, described several such scenes as he visited North Port and other locations in Sarasota County, Fla. His job was to collect data to determine whether the water is safe for people to enter. For now, he concluded, residents should stay away." — " Cone of confusion: Why some say iconic hurricane map misled Floridians," by Washington Post's Scott Dance and Amudalat Ajasa — "' We're all human beings': Everblades' Hertz Arena turns Red Cross mega-shelter after Hurricane Ian," by Fort Myers News-Press' Mariah Timms — "American Humane rescues horses, other farm animals affected by Hurricane Ian ," by Palm Beach Daily News' Carol Rose — "Lawmakers poised to approve additional $360M in emergency spending for Hurricane Ian," by Florida Politics' Christine Jordan Sexton — "Organizations attempt to bring supplies to Pine Island as part of Operation Airdrop," by Naples Daily News' Phil Fernandez — " Hurricane Ian recovery: Hundreds line up for essentials in west Orlando," by Orlando Sentinel's Ryan Gillespie
| | CAMPAIGN MODE | | Send us your political mailers — We're looking to bring more transparency to the elections process. How you can help: Send us photos of the campaign ads you've gotten in the mail. You can upload photos here or email them to mailers@politico.com. STAYING PUT — "From Republican to Democrat, some faithful supporters continue donating to Charlie Crist," by McClatchy D.C.'s Sheridan Wall: "In his current bid for governor, Crist has raised about $146,000 from more than 50 donors who also contributed to his 2006 gubernatorial campaign as a Republican, according to the Herald's analysis of campaign finance data maintained by the Florida Division of Elections. Though these contributions only account for a sliver of the roughly $24 million raised by his campaign and related political action committee, Friends of Charlie Crist, some repeat donors cut him sizable checks, including $43,000 from the Yerrid Law Firm in Tampa, $20,000 from Coral Gables attorney Andres Rivero, and $14,000 from Charles Merinoff, a beverage wholesale executive in New York City." CAMPAIGN ROUNDUP — Charlie Crist, the Democratic nominee for governor, has launched a "Together Florida" tour to collect supplies and necessities for people in southwest Florida. He is scheduled to make several stops in northeast Florida on Thursday, including St. Augustine and Jacksonville. …. The National Federation of Independent Business this week has endorsed three Republican candidates for Congress: Anna Paulina Luna in Florida's 13th Congressional District, Aaron Bean for Florida's 4th Congressional District and Cory Mills for Florida's 7th Congressional District. … The environmental group VoteWater, previously known as Bullsugar.org, on Wednesday endorsed Republican Rep. Brian Mast for reelection and Democratic state House candidate Lindsay Cross. — " Ian is disrupting voting in a GOP region critical for Gov. Ron DeSantis and Sen. Marco Rubio," by USA Today Network-Florida's Zac Anderson — "'Awkward': Rep. Allison Tant says she didn't sign off on Nick Maddox mailer, endorsement ," by Tallahassee Democrat's Jeff Burlew — "A big chunk of Latino independent voters are undecided ahead of midterms, poll shows," by NBC News' Suzanne Gamboa
| | | | 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. | | | | | | | TRUMPLANDIA AND THE SWAMP | | AS THE PAGES TURN — Appeals court expedites DOJ challenge to Mar-a-Lago special master, by POLITICO's Josh Gerstein and Kyle Cheney: A federal appeals court agreed on Wednesday to expedite consideration of a Justice Department's bid to shut down the external review process for the 11,000 documents seized by the FBI during its August raid of former President Donald Trump's residence. The Atlanta-based 11th Circuit Court of Appeals issued an order Wednesday morning setting tighter deadlines in the government's appeal to remove what prosecutors contend is an unnecessary obstacle to their investigation into potentially illegal retention of classified information, theft of government records and obstruction of justice. — "After Mar-a-Lago search, talk of 'civil war' is flaring online," by The New York Times' Ken Bensinger and Sheera Frenkel PITCH — " In Miami, Trump says hard-line immigration policies are driving Latinos to the right," by Miami Herald's Bianca Padró Ocasio: "With about a month left until Election Day, former President Donald Trump touted his administration's accomplishments as he courted a crowd of conservative Latinos in Miami, home to a growing community of Republican Hispanic supporters in Florida. During his nearly hourlong keynote speech at the America First Policy Institute's Hispanic Leadership Conference, Trump — who isn't on the ballot but is expected to run for president in 2024 — slammed President Joe Biden's immigration policies and inflation, while emphasizing his support among Latinos." 'The time has come to stand up' — "The two-day Hispanic Leadership Conference event, which featured panels on building out support in Hispanic communities across the country, was co-hosted by Bienvenido and Hispanic Impact Panel. Cuban-American Republican lawmakers from South Florida, including U.S. Reps. Mario Diaz-Balart and Carlos Gimenez, were also in attendance. "Hispanics are rallying to our cause for a simple reason, because you love America and you believe in America. And you know that the time has come to stand up and defend America and everything it stands for," Trump said during his Wednesday speech."
| | ... DATELINE TALLAHASSEE ... | | WHAT WE DO IN THE SHADOWS — "DeSantis seeks to shield redistricting documents," by News Service of Florida's Jim Saunders: "After pushing a congressional redistricting plan through the Legislature this spring, Gov. Ron DeSantis' administration is fighting to prevent the release of documents to plaintiffs in a lawsuit challenging the plan. Attorneys for the plaintiffs this week asked a Leon County circuit judge to reject a DeSantis administration request to shield it from having to release a wide range of documents related to redistricting. The administration in September sought a protective order, contending that the documents are shielded by 'legislative' and 'executive' privilege."
| | DATELINE D.C. | | POWER POLITICS — "Lawmakers question Luma Energy's ability to improve Puerto Rico's fragile power grid," by NBC News' Nicole Acevedo: "Weeks after Hurricane Fiona triggered an islandwide blackout in Puerto Rico, residents as well as members of Congress and island legislators, still don't know when power will be fully restored in the U.S. territory. In a lengthy and contentious legislative hearing in the Puerto Rico House of Representatives on Wednesday, Luma Energy President Wayne Stensby and other company officials answered questions from local legislators worried about the company's ability to restore electricity to more than 88,000 power customers who remain in the dark."t
| | PENINSULA AND BEYOND | | FOR YOUR RADAR — "U.S. plans to ease Venezuela sanctions, enabling Chevron to pump oil," by Wall Street Journal's Patricia Garip, Vivian Salama and Kejal Vyas: "The Biden administration is preparing to scale down sanctions on Venezuela's authoritarian regime to allow Chevron Corp. to resume pumping oil there, paving the way for a potential reopening of U.S. and European markets to oil exports from Venezuela, according to multiple people familiar with the proposal. In exchange for the significant sanctions relief, the government of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro would resume long-suspended talks with the country's opposition to discuss conditions needed to hold free and fair presidential elections in 2024, the people said." ON THE MOVE — "Last of migrants flown to Martha's Vineyard to leave shelter," by The Associated Press: "The last of dozens of migrants shipped to Martha's Vineyard last month are set to depart temporary shelter at a military base on Cape Cod for transitional housing by the end of the weekend, according to Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker's administration. The Venezuelan migrants were lured onto Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis' flights to Martha's Vineyard from San Antonio. A lawsuit filed in federal court in Boston last month alleges the migrants were told they were going to Boston or Washington and were induced with perks such as $10 McDonald's gift certificates. Instead the migrants were flown to Martha's Vineyard with no notice to local officials." GETTING READY — "Blazing into history: Brightline to test at 110 mph as likely Florida's fastest train ever," by Orlando Sentinel's Kevin Spear: "Brightline's unfolding expansion from Miami to Orlando will enter a testing phase this month with trains expected to reach speeds likely never seen in Florida. Test runs will occur along newly refurbished track in Martin and St. Lucie counties, with Brightline's California-made train sets scheduled to hit 110 mph, which is to be the operational speed when service begins next year. When asked if that speed will be the fastest ever by a train in Florida — or whether Henry Flagler's locomotives or Amtrak's passenger service or any other train was ever speedier — Brightline would not address whether it is about to make history." — "Pilot sues Southwest Airlines after colleague exposes himself," by The Associated Press' Terry Spencer
| | ODDS, ENDS AND FLORIDA MEN | | — "Did a Miami art collector burn a Frida Kahlo drawing to make NFTs? Mexico wants answers," by Miami Herald's Amanda Rosa: "The drinks were flowing. The mariachi band was playing. The crowd was cheering. A $10 million Frida Kahlo drawing was burning. This was the scene at a July 30 private event at a Miami mansion hosted by Martin Mobarak, a Mexican art collector and crypto businessman who has lived in South Florida for 20 years. Mobarak, who is seen on video wearing a blazer with a bedazzled portrait of Kahlo on his back, claims he burned the original artwork to launch Frida.NFT, a collection of NFTs to benefit children's healthcare charities and other groups. Now, Mexico's leading cultural authority says he may have committed a crime." BIRTHDAYS: Mat Bahl, chief of staff for House Speaker Chris Sprowls … former State Sen. Kevin Rader … Joe Follick, director state communications for the Foundation for Excellence in Education ... Jon Ausman, former Leon County DEC chairman ... Former Florida House Speaker Allan Bense | | | | 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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