THE BUZZ: Gov. Gavin Newsom hit the Florida coast for his Spring Break. Gov. Ron DeSantis probably wishes he stayed home. The California governor was hanging out Wednesday with students at the liberal arts college in Florida that has become the focus of DeSantis’ crusade against woke-ism — and a national symbol of the dividing line in the culture wars. For Newsom, it was too much to resist. DeSantis launched an aggressive, conservative revamp of New College, a progressive, left-leaning public institution in Sarasota with around 700 students. He hand-picked six new members of the board of trustees, including Christopher Rufo, a conservative activist who describes critical race theory as an “existential threat” to America. The new board promptly fired the president without cause, replacing her with a DeSantis devotee instead, and eliminated all “diversity, equity and inclusion” initiatives. Newsom’s visit came just as a GOP-dominated state senate committee approved DeSantis’ appointees. "I want you to know you're not alone,” Newsom told New College students during his visit on Wednesday, per the Sarasota Herald-Tribune’s Zac Anderson. “This isn’t about you, it’s about a movement they want to export everywhere else.” The stop in Sarasota capped off a week of touring civil rights landmarks in the South and bolstering liberal leaders. Newsom, along with first partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom and their four children, have attended Palm Sunday services at a Baptist church in Mississippi, spoken with students at the historic Little Rock Central High School, and met with criminal justice reform advocates in Alabama. But this supposedly last minute visit to New College students sends a clear message that part of Newsom’s Campaign for Democracy will involve poking conservative enemies like DeSantis directly in the eye. The governor hardly gives a speech or public address without mentioning him or Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, and after visiting the college couldn’t resist knocking DeSantis once more — telling reporters he believes the Florida governor will get “rolled” by Donald Trump in a presidential matchup. Another thing to note — DeSantis is listed as threat number one on the Campaign for Democracy website, which describes him as a “cowardly bully who has gained political power by scapegoating minorities.” Abbott and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy are there, too. The two are used to exchanging barbs on social media — something that tends to rile up their respective bases to mutual benefit. But this move by Newsom goes quite a bit further than teasing DeSantis about hair products. The Florida governor, as of Wednesday night, hadn’t reacted to Newsom’s visit or remarks, but we’re keeping our ear to the ground. BUENOS DÍAS, good Thursday morning. California’s elections watchdog, the Fair Political Practices Commission, is meeting this morning to discuss how to implement last year’s Senate Bill 794, which allows campaign committees to accept donations in excess of the maximum limit under certain circumstances. Got a tip or story idea for California Playbook? Hit us up at jwhite@politico.com and lkorte@politico.com or follow us on Twitter @JeremyBWhite and @Lara_Korte. WHERE’S GAVIN? Wrapping up his tour for Campaign for Democracy, then taking time for personal travel. QUOTE OF THE DAY: “Today's meeting between President Tsai of Taiwan and Speaker McCarthy is to be commended for its leadership, its bipartisan participation and its distinguished and historic venue." Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, who visited Taiwan herself last year. TWEET OF THE DAY:
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