| | | | |  | | By Gary Fineout | Hello and welcome to Wednesday. Engagement — Amid Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ push to hawk his new book, he’s giving out some conflicting signals about his one-time ally and now potential rival. What he wrote down — In his new book, DeSantis included several mentions of his interactions with former President Donald Trump, including an accounting of how White House staff was upset with DeSantis when he wrung out a promise by the president to increase federal relief funds following Hurricane Michael. Exchange — During a radio interview that aired on Tuesday, Fox’s Brian Kilmeade noted how DeSantis did not say anything negative about Trump — whose crucial endorsement helped DeSantis win his 2018 Republican primary over Adam Putnam. So when asked about Trump’s recent bromides, DeSantis demurred and called it part of “silly season” and said that when it came to the book itself, “I wasn’t into really throwing potshots.” Response No. 1 — He added: “He can say what he wants about me. I will also give him credit for the things that he did that were positive. I’m appreciative of a lot of things he did. It doesn’t mean I agree with everything he’s doing lately.” Response No. 2 — But on Tuesday evening when he appeared on Fox News again (four times in three days) DeSantis wasn’t as generous: “He used to say how great of a governor I was. Then I win a big victory and all of a sudden, you know, he had different opinions. So you can take that for what it’s worth.” — WHERE'S RON? — Gov. DeSantis is scheduled to hold events in Miami, Naples and West Palm Beach promoting his newly released book. Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for Playbook? Get in touch: gfineout@politico.com |  | DESANTISLAND | |
THE BLUEPRINT — DeSantis is championing medical freedom. GOP state lawmakers like what they see, by POLITICO’s Megan Messerly, Krista Mahr and Arek Sarkissian: DeSantis’ attention to the issue is having real-world impact — and not just in Florida. GOP lawmakers across the country, in some cases emboldened by DeSantis’ ramped-up rhetoric, have introduced hundreds of bills this year under the medical freedom banner, including proposals to put lawmakers in charge of immunization requirements, ban the government from creating non-school-based vaccine mandates and allow citizens to challenge public health disaster declarations. “Governor DeSantis has been leading the way,” said Texas state Rep. Matt Schaefer, chair of the Texas Freedom Caucus, who sponsored his state’s public health disaster declaration bill.
MY BACK PAGES — What’s not in Ron DeSantis’s new book, by POLITICO’s Gary Fineout: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ newly-released book weaves together parts of his life story with a how-to political manual — but what he leaves out could easily fill the pages of a sequel. “The Courage to Be Free,” which was released publicly on Tuesday, includes several pivotal incidents but smooths over or skips key moments in his political career and his life. | | | | 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. | | | | | | 
Gov. Ron DeSantis’ book, “The Courage to Be Free,” is for sale on a store shelf on Feb. 28, 2023, in Titusville, Fla. | Joe Raedle/Getty Images |
HMM — “DeSantis hits the trail. Just don’t call it a campaign,” by New York Times’ Maggie Haberman: “Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida will make his debut appearances in three early presidential primary states in the next several weeks, according to two people briefed on his plans, selling his performance in his own state as he lays the groundwork for an expected presidential campaign. Mr. DeSantis is tentatively expected to appear in Iowa during the first half of March, making stops in Davenport and Des Moines, according to the people briefed on his schedule who requested anonymity because they weren’t authorized to discuss the plans publicly. Shortly after, he is expected to appear in Nevada, an early primary state, followed a few weeks later by an expected trip to Manchester, N.H.”
CHOICES — “As DeSantis kicks off book tour, readers weigh in on potential presidential run against Trump,” by Orlando Sentinel’s Steven Lemongello: “Gov. Ron DeSantis kicked off his book tour Tuesday with an event in Leesburg, where attendees said they’d be seriously conflicted if the man they came to see took on President Trump in a GOP presidential primary. ‘Tough call,’ said Frank Johnson of Clermont, one of dozens of people lined up in the evening sun to see DeSantis in person at the Leesburg Books-a-Million. ‘Being here in Florida, I probably would have to go with DeSantis,’ Johnson said. ‘I hate to say it, but Trump doesn’t know how to keep his mouth shut and just gets into conflicts and fights with people over things, [which] a president shouldn’t do.’” MEANWHILE — “Villagers among Trump backers demonstrating at DeSantis’ book event,” by Villages-News.com’s David Towns: “A group of supporters of former President Trump gathered in the bookstore’s parking lot, with flags and signs with Trump’s name. Several were wearing Make America Great Again hats. However, a security guard at the mall told the Trump supporters they were not allowed to wear or carry anything with Trump’s name on mall property while the governor was there. ‘Is DeSantis against free speech?’ Laura Loomer, who made an unsuccessful bid last year against incumbent Congressman Daniel Webster, asked the security guard. She organized the protest with the help of an email blast from Villagers for Trump.” — “Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis launches book in Venice ahead of likely presidential bid,” by Sarasota Herald-Tribune’s Steven Walker TEXAS V. FLA — “As 2024 nears, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis looms large over Gov. Greg Abbott in Texas,” by Texas Tribune’s Patrick Svitek and James Barragán: “Evan Power, vice chair of the Republican Party of Florida, said Florida does not ‘see Texas as a rival in … our freedom or where we are legislatively anymore.’ ‘Not to be disrespectful to Gov. Abbott, but I don’t think there are many people in the DeSantis orbit who consider that to be a rivalry,’ said Brian Ballard, a veteran Florida lobbyist who co-chaired DeSantis’ inauguration. Around the Florida Capitol in Tallahassee, Ballard added, ‘I never have anyone say to me, ‘Did [DeSantis] get that from Gov. Abbott? Did you see what Gov. Abbott did in Texas?’” THE WAITING GAME — “DeSantis ‘review’ of public records can add months of delays, newly uncovered log reveals,” by WKMG’s Mike DeForest: “Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ practice of “reviewing” public records from state agencies can delay the release of those records to citizens and journalists by weeks or months, documents obtained by News 6 reveal. The Florida Department of Corrections, the Florida Department of Health and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement are among several state agencies that have forwarded hundreds of requested public records to the governor’s office for review, according to a newly uncovered log used by DeSantis’ staff. Some records remained at the governor’s office for more than nine months before being returned to the originating state agencies, the log shows.” — “Ron DeSantis’s book hits No. 1 as it goes on sale,” by Wall Street Journal’s Jeffrey A. Trachtenberg and Alex Leary — “Karl Rove says Ron DeSantis is ‘smart’ to skip CPAC and its ‘meaningless’ straw poll,” by Florida Politics’ A.G. Gancarski
— “Ron DeSantis, Florida officials seek to dismiss lawsuit from Martha’s Vineyard migrants,” by Wall Street Journal’s Jon Kamp and Arian Campo-Flores | | | | 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. | | | | | | | ... DATELINE TALLAHASSEE ... | |
A ONE PARTY STATE? — It appears nothing more than using his office for a bit of trolling, but State Sen. Blaise Ingoglia — the former head of the Republican Party of Florida — filed a bill (SB 1248) on Tuesday that in essence would eliminate the existence of the Florida Democratic Party in the state.
Ingoglia’s bill — called ‘The Ultimate Cancel Act’ — would require the state to decertify any party whose platform once advocated for or supported slavery. All the voters of that party would then be listed as having no party. “For years now, leftist activists have been trying to “cancel” people and companies for things they have said or done in the past,” Ingoglia said in a statement. “This includes the removal of statues and memorials, and the renaming of buildings. Using this standard, it would be hypocritical not to cancel the Democrat Party itself for the same reason.” New Democratic party chair Nikki Fried ripped into the idea and said eliminating political parties is what happens in authoritarian states. “This is what a fascist does,” Fried said. Ingoglia responded on Twitter with “Hey @NikkiFried …Florida Dems should be thankful I’m not asking them to return all the money they’ve raised previously from their Jefferson/Jackson Dinners. Late Tuesday night, someone said that Ingoglia has trolled an entire state party. He responded with “Fact check: True.” NEXT STEP? — “Florida lawmakers to consider expansion of so-called ‘don’t say gay’ law,” by Orlando Sentinel’s Skyler Swisher: “A state representative wants to expand last year’s controversial Parental Rights in Education law to the eighth grade, setting up another culture war clash over what critics labeled ‘don’t say gay.’ Rep. Adam Anderson, R-Palm Harbor, filed a bill Tuesday that also would impose restrictions on the use of pronouns in public schools that don’t align with a person’s sex at birth.” FOR YOUR RADAR — Bills would preempt local energy and water regulation while protecting gas stoves, by POLITICO’s Bruce Ritchie: A trio of bills filed in the Legislature this week would block local governments from regulating water and wetlands, protect gas stoves from government interference or require that new construction includes green-saving devices. Gov. Ron DeSantis has criticized federal officials for saying they might consider regulating gas stoves because of concerns about indoor air quality. Now legislation would prevent state and local governments from similarly taking a variety of actions relating climate change. — “Proposed bill limits who may sue Florida nursing homes for wrongful death of a loved one,” by South Florida Sun-Sentinel’s Cindy Krischer Goodman — “10 big issues to watch in Florida’s 2023 legislative session,” by News Service of Florida’s Jim Saunders — “‘Disaster for free speech’: Florida defamation, libel bill alarms advocates,” by USA Today Network-Florida’s Douglas Soule — “Florida clinics, doctors argue court should block 15-week abortion ban,” by News Service of Florida’s Jim Saunders | | DATELINE D.C. | |
‘MY DISTRICT APPRECIATES WHAT I’M SAYING’ — “Latino Republicans push back on party’s immigration agenda,” by Associated Press’ Adriana Gomez Licon: “[Rep. María Elvira] Salazar is among a handful of Republicans pushing back against a sweeping proposal being considered in the House that would restrict asylum at the U.S.-Mexico border. ‘We understand that immigrants want to come and live in the promised land,’ Salazar said in a recent interview. ‘Orderly legal immigration is good for the country and good for District 27.’
| | PENINSULA AND BEYOND | |
INJUNCTION TIME — “Federal judge strikes down Florida’s new ban on lobbying by elected officials,” by Miami Herald’s Douglas Hanks: “A federal judge on Tuesday sided with a Miami-Dade County commissioner and a local mayor in striking down Florida’s new ban on paid lobbying by elected officials, ruling the amendment to the state Constitution was too broad and poorly defined to comply with federal protections for free speech. The injunction issued by U.S. District Judge Beth Bloom in Miami temporarily suspends enforcement of a portion of the amendment Florida voters approved in 2018 and which took effect Jan. 1.”
PUSHING BACK — “‘It’s shameful’: Monique Worrell responds to criticism from DeSantis, Rick Scott,” by Orlando Sentinel’s Christopher Cann: “Orange-Osceola State Attorney Monique Worrell pushed back on recent criticisms of her office by Gov. Ron DeSantis and U.S. Sen. Rick Scott on Tuesday, accusing them of politicizing the shootings that killed a Spectrum News 13 journalist, a 38-year-old woman and a 9-year-old girl in Pine Hills last week. ‘It’s easy to stand outside of our community and criticize the decisions that are made inside our community instead of helping us to make our community better,’ said Worrell in an interview Tuesday. ‘I think that it’s shameful that this tragedy is being politicized.’” DISMANTLING — New College trustees curtail diversity, equity and inclusion programs, by POLITICO’s Andrew Atterbury: New College of Florida trustees on Tuesday scaled back diversity, equity and inclusion programs as the school undergoes a conservative transformation at the insistence of Gov. Ron DeSantis. Board members, handpicked by the Republican governor to reform the liberal arts campus, in one key decision during a meeting in Sarasota agreed to scrap New College’s Office of Outreach and Inclusive Excellence and reshuffle staffers that had any ties to DEI. The moves by trustees mark the most significant actions taken by a state university in Florida against DEI programming, which is facing intense scrutiny from lawmakers and DeSantis ahead of the 2023 Legislative session. DECISION — “Limiting stripper ages to 21+ constitutional, judge says in landmark Jacksonville case,” by Florida Times-Union’s Steve Patterson: “A minimum age of 21 that Jacksonville’s City Council set for dancers in strip clubs is constitutional, a federal judge has decided, handing the city a victory in a court fight over club regulations framed as impediments to sex trafficking. ‘Absent a constitutional violation, it is not the court’s role to stand in place of the city or to opine on whether the age restriction represents sound public policy,’ Chief U.S. District Judge Timothy Corrigan wrote in a 77-page ruling on a lawsuit the city’s strip-club industry brought three years ago.” — “Why is diversity the hot issue in Florida higher education? 4 things to know,” by Tampa Bay Times’ Ian Hodgson and Divya Kumar — “UF campus West Palm Beach is on hold due to ‘regrettable division’ in the community,” by Palm Beach Post’s Kimberly Miller and Alexandra Clough
| | ODDS, ENDS AND FLORIDA MEN | |
— “Charlie Adelson murder trial continued until the fall after defense says it needs more time,” by Tallahassee Democrat’s Jeff Burlew: “The trial of Charlie Adelson, the accused ringleader in the 2014 murder-for-hire of Florida State law professor Dan Markel, has been postponed at the request of the defense. On Tuesday, Leon Circuit Judge Robert Wheeler granted the request to continue the trial, which had been set for April 24. One of Adelson’s lawyers, Daniel Rashbaum of Miami, asked for the continuance earlier this month. In a court motion, Rashbaum said the defense was still pouring over discovery, including more than a thousand wiretap conversations, many in Spanish, and ‘voluminous’ data files including phone calls, emails texts, social media posts and bank records.”
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