| | | | |  | | By Gary Fineout | Hello and welcome to Wednesday. One night only — It was likely the only time that Sen. Marco Rubio and Rep. Val Demings will share the same stage during the 2022 election cycle, and both candidates seemed determined to make the most of it. Energized — In an hour-long — and at times, "unruly" Senate debate as the moderator put it — Rubio and Demings zinged each over abortion, guns, immigration and inflation. Several times, the two tried to talk over each other. Demings repeatedly accused Rubio of lying about her record, while Rubio tried to paint Demings as a tool of Democratic leaders like House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Moment of the night, part 1 — Both Demings and Rubio tried to pin each other down on abortion. Rubio called Demings "radical" by contending that she supports late-term abortion even though she said at least twice she supports it up until viability. Demings said Rubio was "extreme" because he has repeatedly said he would support a ban on all abortions with no exceptions. Rubio, however, pointed out he had signed onto a federal proposal that would ban abortion after 15 weeks with exceptions. Moment of the night, part 2 — The clash over gun restrictions in the wake of mass shootings at the Pulse nightclub and Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School were especially heated. Rubio said he would not support raising the age requirements to buy rifles and semi-automatic weapons (even though it's already been done in Florida). He questioned the efficacy of such laws, pointing to a recent shooting in North Carolina. Demings responded: "How long will you watch people being gunned down in first grade, fourth grade, high school, college, church, synagogue, the grocery store, a movie theater, a mall and a nightclub, and do nothing?" Solo — Another noteworthy moment: Rubio distanced himself from the detailed plan drawn up fellow Florida Sen. Rick Scott, the head of the Senate GOP campaign committee, that calls for every federal program, including Social Security and Medicare, to be renewed every five years. "That's not my plan," Rubio quickly noted. Who's responsible? — And then there's the whole conundrum with Florida's collapsing insurance market. Demings strangely suggested that Rubio had done nothing when he was in the Legislature to address it. But Rubio was actually House speaker during a 2007 special session when Florida enacted measures that froze rates for Citizens customers and expanded the state's role in backstopping private insurers. Those changes were pushed by then-Gov. Charlie Crist, now the Democratic nominee for governor. Left unsaid: Many of those changes were undone in subsequent years by the Legislature and by then-Gov. Scott. That's all — In the end, despite all the fire and smoke, the debate probably did not alter the course of the election. While Rubio was put on the defensive, he did not have a meltdown or stumble. He also gave more substantive answers on foreign policy. Demings proved a worthy adversary, but it's not clear if she did had a moment that could energize Democrats with three weeks left to go. — WHERE'S RON? — Gov. DeSantis will hold an early-morning press conference with Sen. Kathleen Passidomo, Florida emergency management chief Kevin Guthrie and Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Jared Perdue in Fort Myers. DeSantis is also scheduled to hold an early evening campaign fundraiser in Boca Raton. Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for Playbook? Get in touch: gfineout@politico.com
| | | | NEW AND IMPROVED POLITICO APP: Stay up to speed with the newly updated POLITICO mobile app, featuring timely political news, insights and analysis from the best journalists in the business. With a fresh look and improved features, the sleek and navigable design offers a convenient way to access POLITICO's scoops and groundbreaking reporting. Don't miss out on the app you can rely on for the news you need, reimagined. Already a POLITICO app user? Upgrade today! DOWNLOAD FOR iOS – DOWNLOAD FOR ANDROID . | | | | | |  | CAMPAIGN MODE | | ONE AND DONE — Rubio and Demings clash over abortion in lone Florida Senate debate , by POLITICO's Matt Dixon: The two took personal swipes at each other during the hour-long debate held at Palm Beach State College that included questions on the midterm's defining topics, including immigration, voting rights, climate change and gun reform. [Rep. Val] Demings throughout the debate accused [Sen. Marco] Rubio of lying while the senator attacked her record in Congress. "I think there was a time when you did not lie in order to win," she said. "I don't know what happened." But, predictably, the issue that struck one of the earliest fights between the two was abortion, a topic that Democrats have highlighted in the aftermath of the Supreme Court's decision this year to overturn abortion protections codified in Roe v. Wade. TURNABOUT — " At fiery debate, Rubio opposes gun measure he championed after Parkland ," by Washington Post's Hannah Knowles and Mariana Alfaro: "[Sen. Marco] Rubio, the two-term Republican incumbent, said days after the mass shooting in Parkland, Fla. — at an event with student survivors — that he would support such age restrictions as well as expanded background checks on gun purchases. But at his first and only debate with Democratic challenger [Rep. Val] Demings, the senator said the law "doesn't work" and also said background checks would not have stopped the litany of shootings the candidates argued over." — " Four takeaways from the Rubio-Demings debate in Florida's Senate race ," by The New York Times' Lisa Lerer and Maggie Astor — " Five takeaways from the Florida Senate debate ," by CNN's Steve Contorno — " The only Florida Senate debate between Val Demings and Marco Rubio, fact-checked ," by PolitiFact's Yacob Reyes — " 5 takeaways from a contentious U.S. Senate debate between Val Demings and Marco Rubio ," by McClatchy D.C.'s Alex Roarty and Miami Herald's Ana Ceballos — " Five takeaways from U.S. Senate debate between Sen. Marco Rubio, Rep. Val Demings ," by USA Today Network-Florida's Zac Anderson — " Demings, Rubio unleash war of words in sole Senate debate ," by Orlando Sentinel's Skyler Swisher
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Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) and Rep. Val Demings (D-Fla.) during a debate Tuesday. | Thomas Cordy/Palm Beach Post/Associated Press | NOT GIVING UP — Florida Democrat targeted by DeSantis struggles to stay in Congress , by POLITICO's Gary Fineout: Rep. Al Lawson, a 6-foot-7 former athlete trying to save his job after Gov. Ron DeSantis drew him out of his district, had been making the rounds among the food vendors and tents at the annual Goat Day festival in this small town near the Apalachicola River when he encountered Margaret Belgard. "I'm Al Lawson. I need your help," he'd been repeating all day. But Belgard wasn't offering any as she criticized Democrats and President Joe Biden. Lawson countered that he steered millions of federal dollars to the area and made a vow: "I won't give up on you for nothing." "If you became a Republican, I'd vote for you all day long," retorted Belgard. Moving onward — Instead of retreating, or ending his political career, the 74-year-old Lawson blasted DeSantis' involvement in redistricting and announced he would challenge Neal Dunn even though the revamped district went for former President Donald Trump over Biden by 11 points in 2020. "I still had it in my blood," explains Lawson, who noted that he represented many of the rural counties in the newly-formed congressional district during his 10-year career in the state Senate. — " Neal Dunn, Al Lawson debate who should continue representing North Florida ," by Florida Politics' Renzo Downey — " Neal Dunn, Al Lawson divided on the issues in congressional candidate forum ," by News Service of Florida's Ryan Dailey
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Rep. Al Lawson talks to voters in Blountstown, Fla. during the town's annual Goat Day festival | Gary Fineout/POLITICO | STAYING ON MESSAGE — " Charlie Crist speaks in West Palm Beach about housing affordability and property insurance ," by Palm Beach Post's Kimberly Miller: "Charlie Crist made a campaign stop in West Palm Beach on Tuesday, touting his determination to cut property insurance costs in Florida and increase the ability of people to pay pandemic-boosted housing prices. Crist, who was in Palm Beach Gardens on Sunday for a 'Speaking up for American Indivisible Pep Rally,' was introduced by state Sen. Lori Berman, D-Delray Beach, during a hastily called news conference held in a parking lot off North Australian Avenue east of Lake Mangonia." BY THE NUMBERS — More than 733,000 people have voted by mail ahead of the Nov. 8 election, according to the latest information on the state Division of Elections website. Of those, 304,789 have come from Democrats and 282,649 have come from registered Republicans. Overall, there are more than 3.47 million mail ballots that have been requested but not yet returned. Of those, more nearly 1.54 million are held by Democrats and more than 1.11 million are with Republicans. — " Eric Lynn frustration builds as Anna Paulina Luna skips another debate ," by Florida Politics — " Aramis Ayala challenges Ashley Moody in 'longshot' bid for Florida Attorney General ," by News Service of Florida's Jim Turner — " Will FL voters kill off the Constitution Revision Commission next month? " by Florida Phoenix's Mitch Perry — " Senate District 10: Goff-Marcil challenges Brodeur for competitive seat ," by Orlando Sentinel's Annie Martin — " Wilton Simpson, Naomi Blemur vie for agriculture commissioner ," by News Service of Florida's Jim Turner
| | | | 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 . | | | | | | | ...HURRICANE HOLE... | | ADDING IT UP — Florida agriculture suffers up to $1.6B in damages from Hurricane Ian, UF says ," by POLITICO's Bruce Ritchie: Florida farmers suffered between $786 million and $1.6 billion in losses from Hurricane Ian, the University of Florida reported this week. The UF Institute of Food and Agricultural Science said losses included up to $393 million worth of vegetables and melons, as much as $304 million worth of citrus crops and up to $297 million worth of horticultural crops. State agriculture officials say the report is the first quantifiable estimate of overall crop damages. State Sen. Ben Albritton (R-Wauchula) said Tuesday that damage from Hurricane Ian to citrus farms, including his in Central Florida, is "catastrophic" and may be higher than researchers estimated in part because fruit still is dropping from trees that were harmed during the storm. IMPORTANT REMINDER — " Corruption, delays and inequities: Cautionary tale from Hurricane Michael serve as lesson ," by Pensacola News Journal's Tom McLaughlin: " What happened in Panama City, Mexico Beach and other hard hit communities offers a cautionary tale to those communities about to rebuild after Hurricane Ian. Ten businessmen and high ranking officials in Bay County have been charged with preying on taxpayers to enrich themselves following the storm. Court documents filed by FBI agent Lawrence Borghini offer evidence that illegal activity extended even further than what is thus far being prosecuted. The former mayor of the Bay County city of Lynn Haven, along with a former city commissioner, city manager, city attorney and community services director have been indicted on theft and/or fraud-related charges." — " Lee County Commissioners vote 3-2 to pay $40 per mile to remove Hurricane Ian debris, up from 5 cents a mile ," by CBS Miami's Jim DeFede — " Hurricane Ian caused $206 million in damage to Orange County ," by Orlando Sentinel's Stephen Hudak — " In unprecedented move, USAID to provide $2 million to aid victims of Hurricane Ian in Cuba ," by El Nuevo Herald's Nora Gámez Torres — " Winning $494M lottery ticket sold in city battered by Ian ," by Associated Press — " Hurricane Ian: All 80 of Lee County School District's PreK-12 schools to resume by Friday ," by Fort Myers News-Press' Nikki Ross
| | ... DATELINE TALLAHASSEE ... | | REVIEW — " DeSantis appointed more donors to political posts in first term than Rick Scott ," by McClatchy D.C.'s Sheridan Wall: "While it's common for governors to stack commissions, boards and task forces with their supporters, DeSantis has done so at a significantly higher rate than his predecessor, according to an analysis of campaign contributions and political appointments. Since assuming office in 2019, DeSantis has accepted roughly $3.3 million in campaign donations from about 250 people he selected for leadership roles — a 75% increase in the number of donors appointed compared to former Gov. Rick Scott's first term in office, and over 10 times the amount of money. That's based on an analysis by American Bridge 21st Century, a Democrat super PAC specialized in opposition research." THINKING ABOUT IT — " Judge mulls the possibilities of DeSantis not testifying in Warren lawsuit ," by Tampa Bay Times' Dan Sullivan and Sue Carlton: "The question of whether Gov. Ron DeSantis will testify about his decision to suspend Hillsborough County's state attorney — and his motive for removing him — looms large in Andrew Warren's federal lawsuit challenging his ouster. The answer could well determine if Warren gets reinstated or his removal stands. On Monday, the federal judge overseeing the case was talking about it. In a court hearing, U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle told the governor's lawyers that if they want to prevent him or members of his staff from testifying, they should file a formal request as soon as possible."
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Andrew Warren speaks to press outside of the federal courthouse following a hearing on Monday, Sept. 19, 2022, in Tallahassee, Fla. The case challenges Gov. Ron DeSantis's order to suspend Warren from his role as a state attorney in Tampa in August. | Chasity Maynard/Tallahassee Democrat via AP | | | TRUMPLANDIA AND THE SWAMP | | FLORIDA MAN ON STAND — " Key Oath Keepers witness testifies Jan. 6 plans potentially 'treasonous, " by Washington Post's Spencer S. Hsu: "A key government witness in the seditious conspiracy trial of Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes and four other members said defendants on Jan. 6, 2021, were prepared to stop Congress from confirming the 2020 election result 'by any means necessary' — including armed combat — and understood their plans to be potentially 'treasonous.' Up now — "The testimony Tuesday by Jason Dolan was the first in the trial from several cooperating Oath Keepers witnesses who have pleaded guilty in the Capitol attack investigation. The Florida man and others are expected to be critical to the prosecution because they have admitted under oath to what Rhodes and co-defendants are charged with: plotting to obstruct and disrupt Congress by, as Dolan put it in plea papers, 'intimidating and coercing governmental personnel.'" AS THE PAGES TURN — " In documents review, special master tells Trump team to back up privilege claims ," by The New York Times' Charlie Savage and Alan Feuer: "The special master reviewing materials seized by the F.B.I. from former President Donald J. Trump's compound in Florida expressed skepticism on Tuesday about early claims by Mr. Trump's lawyers that certain documents were privileged and thus could be withheld from a Justice Department investigation. In a phone conference, the special master, Judge Raymond J. Dearie of Federal District Court in Brooklyn, complained that the log of an initial batch of documents over which Mr. Trump is seeking to claim privilege lacked sufficient information to determine whether the arguments were valid."
| | PENINSULA AND BEYOND | | GOING IT ALONE — " Andrew Gillum seeks separate trial, says Lettman-Hicks testimony 'key to an acquittal ,'" by Tallahassee Democrat's Jeff Burlew: "The lawyer for Andrew Gillum has asked that he be tried separately from his co-defendant, Sharon Lettman-Hicks, so that she can testify in his defense – a move he said is "key" to his acquittal. David Markus, a Miami lawyer representing Gillum, filed a motion to sever the two defendants on Monday, days after attorneys for Lettman-Hicks made a similar request for different reasons. The motions are pending before U.S. District Judge Allen Winsor." PAYING FOR IT — " Dolphins owner Ross has spent over $1 million on Deauville referendum in Miami Beach ," by Miami Herald's Aaron Leibowitz: "Stephen Ross, owner of the Miami Dolphins and the Related Companies real estate firm, has poured over $1 million into promoting a Miami Beach ballot referendum that would pave the way for him to build a new hotel and condo tower at the former Deauville Hotel site, campaign finance reports show. A report issued Friday shows that an entity affiliated with Related contributed $1.05 million between Sept. 9 and Oct. 7 to "YES For A Safe and Strong Future," a political committee that has flooded Miami Beach voters with mailers, text messages and video ads in recent weeks seeking support for the Nov. 8 ballot question."
| | ODDS, ENDS AND FLORIDA MEN | | BIRTHDAYS: State Rep. Ramon Alexander … State Rep. Brett Hage … Brandon Morales with Sen. Rick Scott's office. | | | | 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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