| | | | |  | | By Gary Fineout | Hello and welcome to Thursday. By the numbers — Sifting through the torrent of news coverage surrounding Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (more on that down below), there have been some new poll numbers that try to delve into the looming showdown between DeSantis and one-time ally former President Donald Trump. Lead for DeSantis — One new national poll of Republican primary voters from WPA Intelligence shared with Playbook, put DeSantis ahead of Trump, 40 percent to 31 percent, even when a long line of other Republicans such as former vice president Mike Pence were included. That lead for the GOP governor jumps dramatically to 55 percent to 37 percent in a direct DeSantis-Trump matchup. (The survey was done among 1,000 voters was done earlier this month and has a margin of error of +/- 3.1 percent.) Explaining it — “Our poll found that while Republican primary voters want a candidate who’s a fighter and will take on the status quo, they also want one who can win a general election in 2024,” said Chris Wilson, founder and CEO of the outfit that did the poll. “This, combined with a perception that former President Trump hurt the GOP in November’s midterm elections, seems to be bolstering Gov. Ron DeSantis’ potential candidacy.” Other numbers — Meanwhile, another poll that came out on Wednesday also attempted to shine a light on the DeSantis-Trump rivalry. That NPR/PBS NewsHour/Marist poll also found that a majority — 54 percent — of Republicans and GOP-leaning independents want someone besides Trump to be at the top of the ticket in 2024. Where support comes from — That poll found that Trump is supported by white evangelical Christians, white people without degrees, those who live in small towns or rural areas and lower-income voters, while those supporting DeSantis are college graduates, those who make more than $50,000 a year, people who live in big cities or the suburbs, and Republican-leaning independents. Change could come — Of course, polls only reflect a fleeting moment in time. One caveat for DeSantis in this poll is that nearly a quarter of those polled — 23 percent — are unsure about the governor. That could change in the next few weeks as DeSantis goes on a book tour and continues to push his agenda through the Legislature. The question is whether Trump starts to ramp up his criticism of DeSantis at the same time. — WHERE'S RON? — Gov. Ron DeSantis is scheduled to hold a press conference in Jacksonville with Florida Department of Law Enforcement Commissioner Mark Glass. Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for Playbook? Get in touch: gfineout@politico.com
| | | | JOIN POLITICO ON 3/1 TO DISCUSS AMERICAN PRIVACY LAWS: Americans have fewer privacy rights than Europeans, and companies continue to face a minefield of competing state and foreign legislation. There is strong bipartisan support for a federal privacy bill, but it has yet to materialize. Join POLITICO on 3/1 to discuss what it will take to get a federal privacy law on the books, potential designs for how this type of legislation could protect consumers and innovators, and more. REGISTER HERE. | | | | | |  | DESANTISLAND | | THE AGENDA — Trump demonized the media. DeSantis wants to diminish them, by POLITICO’s Matt Dixon: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ broken relationship with the mainstream media could get even worse. At the governor’s urging, Florida’s Republican-dominated Legislature is pushing to weaken state laws that have long protected journalists against defamation suits and frivolous lawsuits. The proposal is part DeSantis’ ongoing feud with media outlets like The New York Times, Miami Herald, CNN and The Washington Post — media companies he claims are biased against Republicans — as he prepares for a likely 2024 presidential bid. — “Better than Trump? DeSantis media strategy floods zone with news,” by McClatchy D.C.’s Alex Roarty and Ana Ceballos | 
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks during a news conference announcing the future home of TGL, a new tech-infused, team golf league, Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023, on the campus of Palm Beach State College in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee) | AP |
OVER — Florida judge tosses lawsuit challenging DeSantis migrant flights program, by POLITICO’s Gary Fineout: Circuit Court Judge John Cooper tossed the legal challenge after the plaintiff, state Sen. Jason Pizzo, agreed with lawyers representing Gov. Ron DeSantis that the lawsuit had been undercut by the GOP-controlled Florida Legislature.
P.O.V. — On Wednesday, Pizzo said that the changes authorized by legislators during a special session last week just reinforced the merit of his lawsuit that was filed last September shortly after the DeSantis administration arranged to fly nearly 50 migrants from Texas to Martha’s Vineyard. “For the governor of the third-largest state in the country to beat his chest about how great the program is and how wonderful it is it was probably not easy for him to have to swallow the fact that the Legislature had to go and do a clean-up,” Pizzo told Cooper. FOLLOW THE LEADER — DeSantis administration requires events at the Capitol ‘align’ with its mission, by POLITICO’s Matt Dixon: The DeSantis administration now requires events held at the Florida state Capitol to “align” with its mission, a recent change that is sparking concerns that the governor’s office is trying to censor events it doesn’t like. The Department of Management Services, the administration department that oversees state facilities, over the past few months has changed rules for groups or individuals who want to reserve space inside the Capitol. The changes require organizations seeking to reserve areas to make their requests through specific administration officials or legislative leaders and require they line up with the mission of the state. IN HIS WORDS — “DeSantis praises Trump for ‘enhancing my name recognition’ in new book,” by The Guardian’s David Smith: “Ron DeSantis has praised former US president Donald Trump for his ‘unique star power’, derision of the media as ‘the enemy of the American people’ and decisive role in helping DeSantis win election as a state governor. The flattering comments appear in DeSantis’s book The Courage to Be Free, obtained by the Guardian prior to publication.” A DIFFERENT TAKE — “Pence criticizes DeSantis for escalating Disney battle ahead of 2024,” by Bloomberg’s Mark Niquette: “Former Vice President Mike Pence criticized Ron DeSantis, a potential 2024 Republican presidential rival, saying the Florida governor went too far in his fight with Walt Disney Co. Pence, in a CNBC interview Wednesday, said he supported DeSantis for signing a law last year limiting school instruction about gender identity and sexual orientation but not his actions seeking to punish Disney for opposing the measure. ‘That was beyond the scope of what I as a conservative, limited-government Republican would be prepared to do,’ Pence said.” — “Andrea Mitchell admits she was ‘imprecise’ when claiming Ron DeSantis didn’t want slavery taught in schools,” by Mediaite’s Zachary Leeman — “DeSantis gets 7-figure checks from top GOP donors as he soft launches presidential campaign,” by CNN’s Steve Contorno — “The forgotten Ron DeSantis book,” by The Atlantic’s David Waldstreicher — “Gov. Ron DeSantis targets ‘woke’ Sarasota School Board member for 2024 election,” by Sarasota Herald-Tribune’s Steven Walker — “School board members react after Ron DeSantis’ team targets them electorally,” by Florida Politics’ Anne Geggis | | ... DATELINE TALLAHASSEE ... | | PROBE — Florida Surgeon General Joe Ladapo investigated for allegedly falsifying Covid report, by POLITICO’s Arek Sarkissian: The Florida Department of Health’s inspector general last fall investigated Joseph Ladapo, the state’s surgeon general, after the agency received an anonymous complaint alleging he falsified a report focusing on the safety of Covid-19 vaccines for young men. Among other things, the complainant alleged Ladapo committed “scientific fraud” and “manipulated data” in a report that Ladapo later used to claim that the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna Covid-19 vaccines could increase the risk of cardiac death among young men, according to the complaint. Closed — The inspector general’s office opened the investigation in November after it received the complaint and later closed it an undisclosed date after the complainant didn’t respond to follow-up questions regarding the accusations, according to state documents that include a copy of the original complaint. CONNECTIONS — “Central Florida GOP lawmakers with ties to private schools vote for voucher expansion,” by Orlando Sentinel’s Annie Martin and Leslie Postal: “Two Central Florida Republican lawmakers who support a 'transformational' expansion of the state’s school voucher programs are closely tied to private schools that already receive hundreds of thousands of dollars from families who use state scholarships to pay tuition.” TO COURT — “Florida seeks to reinstate law blocking state funding for Planned Parenthood,” by Tampa Bay Times’ Romy Ellenbogen: “Citing the Supreme Court case that reversed Roe v. Wade, Florida’s attorney general on Wednesday filed a motion to reinstate part of a 2016 law that would have blocked state funds from going to Planned Parenthood and other organizations that perform abortions. ... While state and local money already was prohibited from being used for abortions, some state money did go to services provided by the clinics, like sexually transmitted disease screenings and family planning for low-income individuals.” ONE TO WATCH — Bill establishing ‘loser pays’ clears first hurdle as growth policy fights loom before Legislature, by POLITICO’s Bruce Ritchie: A bill that critics say would discourage citizen participation in community development decisions on Wednesday unanimously cleared its first committee stop despite opposition from environmental groups. HB 359 filed by state Rep. Wyman Duggan (R-Jacksonville) would allow developers and local governments to ask state judges to order the payment of legal costs from residents or groups who lose in administrative law challenges to local land use decisions. — “Florida lawmaker files bill to rename Hernando road after Rush Limbaugh,” by Tampa Bay Times’ Barbara Behrendt — “Florida legislative leaders look to get ‘across finish line,’” by News Service of Florida’s Jim Turner — “This Florida company was accused of scamming homeowners. New legislation could help,” by Tampa Bay Times’ Rebecca Liebson — “Kathleen Passidomo priorities on affordable housing, wildlife corridor advance in Senate,” by Florida Politics’ Gray Rohrer
| | | | DOWNLOAD THE POLITICO MOBILE 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. 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. DOWNLOAD FOR iOS– DOWNLOAD FOR ANDROID. | | | | | | | CAMPAIGN MODE | | AIMING AT SALAZAR — EMILY’s List, the political organization that helps elect women who support abortion rights, has placed Florida Rep. María Elvira Salazar on a list of 23 House Republicans it plans to target in 2024. Laphonza Butler, the president of the organization, contended in a statement that “Salazar is committed to rolling back rights for Floridians and all Americans, and she must be replaced in the next election.” The group cited statements that Salazar has made on the overturning of Roe v. Wade and votes she has taken in Congress. The Miami Republican has won two terms in Congress, including a nearly 15-point victory over former State Sen. Annette Taddeo last November. — “Committee investigating LeAnna Cumber receives emails from Daniel Davis campaign consultant,” by Florida Times-Union’s David Bauerlein | | TRUMPLANDIA AND THE SWAMP | | | 
FILE - Proud Boys member Jeremy Joseph Bertino, second from left, joins other supporters of President Donald Trump who are wearing attire associated with the Proud Boys as they attend a rally at Freedom Plaza, Dec. 12, 2020, in Washington. Bertino told jurors on Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023, that he viewed their far-right extremist organization as "the tip of the spear" after the 2020 election. Bertino is testifying against former Proud Boys national leader Enrique Tarrio and four lieutenants as part of a cooperation deal with federal prosecutors. (AP Photo/Luis M. Alvarez, File) | Luis M. Alvarez/AP Photo |
SAYING IT OUT LOUD — ‘All-out revolution’: Proud Boy describes group’s desperation as Jan. 6 approaches, by POLITICO’s Kyle Cheney: A top lieutenant of the Proud Boys’ chairman, Enrique Tarrio, described on Wednesday a growing desperation among the group’s leaders as Jan. 6, 2021, approached and then-President Donald Trump’s efforts to overturn the election results sputtered. That’s when the group’s thoughts turned to “all-out revolution,” according to Jeremy Bertino, the Justice Department’s star witness in the seditious conspiracy trial of Tarrio and four other Proud Boys leaders, who are charged with orchestrating a violent attempt to derail the transfer of power from Trump to Joe Biden.
— “Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump subpoenaed in Jan. 6 investigation,” by The New York Times’ Maggie Haberman and Michael S. Schmidt — “Here’s the status of the four criminal investigations into Donald Trump,” by The New York Times’ Alan Feuer, Danny Hakim and Ben Protess — “Georgia juror unsettles Trump investigation with revealing interviews,” by Washington Post’s Amy Gardner and Matthew Brown | | PENINSULA AND BEYOND | | AWFUL — “Orlando TV journalist, 9-year-old girl killed in shootings near earlier homicide scene,” by Orlando Sentinel’s David Harris, Amanda Rabines and Jeff Weiner: “An Orlando TV journalist and a child were shot and killed on Wednesday evening near a crime scene where a woman was found shot to death earlier in the day, in a brutal spate of violence in Pine Hills that prompted widespread shock and grief. Orange County Sheriff John Mina said at a news conference that the journalist for Spectrum News 13 and the 9-year-old girl were among four people who were shot. The others were another member of the News 13 crew and the mother of the girl.” HMM — ‘Anti-woke’ provision pulled from Florida faculty tenure rule, by POLITICO’s Andrew Atterbury: Florida university leaders on Wednesday reintroduced a proposed rule to launch a new statewide faculty tenure review process with several tweaks, including the removal of a provision meant to ensure professors are following the controversial “anti-woke” law that regulates how schools teach lessons about race. Initially floated in November, the tenure rule has been on the state university system Board of Governors’ back burner for months since a federal judge blocked Florida colleges from enforcing the “Stop-WOKE” Act touted by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis. FINAL APPEALS — “US Supreme Court refuses to block Florida execution of Donald Dillbeck,” by News Service of Florida’s Jim Saunders: “The U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday refused to block Thursday’s scheduled execution of convicted murderer Donald David Dillbeck, setting the stage for Florida to put an inmate to death for the first time since 2019. Without explanation, the court rejected a petition filed by Dillbeck’s attorneys that centered on issues such as whether Dillbeck should be shielded from execution because of a neurological condition caused by being exposed to alcohol before birth. Also, justices denied a requested stay of the execution, which is scheduled for 6 p.m. Thursday at Florida State Prison.” — “Florida Board of Governors approves Richard Corcoran as interim New College president,” by Sarasota Herald-Tribune’s Zac Anderson — “Book purge begins in Escambia classrooms as some titles are pulled from shelves for review,” by Pensacola News-Journal’s Brittany Misencik — “Florida art dealer pleads guilty in Warhol forgery scheme,” by The Associated Press | | ODDS, ENDS AND FLORIDA MEN | | BIRTHDAYS: Tori Lynn Schneider … Integrity Florida’s Ben Wilcox | | | | 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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