| | | | |  | | By Kimberly Leonard | Good morning and happy Friday. DRIVING THE DAY: The Florida Supreme Court will hear oral arguments at 9 a.m. over the state’s 15-week abortion ban. (Watch here.)
|  FILE - Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis holds up a 15-week abortion ban law after signing it on April 14, 2022, in Kissimmee, Fla. The fate of abortion rights in Florida is at stake Friday, Sept. 8, 2023, when the state Supreme Court takes up a challenge to a law banning the procedure in most cases after 15 weeks of pregnancy. (AP Photo/John Raoux, File) | AP | | Gov. Ron DeSantis championed abortion restrictions in Florida — but he’s facing political consequences over his support of a six-week abortion ban. The Florida Supreme Court today will weigh the future of abortion access in the state, with many abortion rights groups predicting the high court will uphold the state’s 15-week abortion ban. If that happens, this year’s six-week ban will take effect soon after due to a trigger mechanism in the law. Will DeSantis regret signing the six-week ban into law? Donors who haven't given to DeSantis' White House bid often cite the six-week ban as the reason. In audio leaked to FloridaPolitics.com, bundlers at a May Miami fundraiser said they were getting an earful about it. They nervously asked the campaign how to address it, and DeSantis campaign pollster Ryan Tyson assured them voter concerns would be outweighed by the prospect of reelecting octogenarian President Joe Biden, and predicted the U.S. would be in a recession. (That fundraiser cashed in a record $8.2 million in 24 hours.) Democrats think they have the upper hand: Next year will mark the first presidential election since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. State-level races have overwhelmingly shown support for abortion rights and congressional Democrats credit concerns over abortion access for helping them avoid a “red wave” in the 2022 midterms, even though the country was suffering through high inflation and economic angst. “Democrats will benefit from the abortion debate in 2024,” predicted Evan Ross, a South Florida-based Democratic consultant. “If a six-week abortion ban gets through the Florida Supreme Court, it will be met with substantial political backlash.” Downplaying it: DeSantis said he was “proud” to sign a six-week ban into law as governor and has challenged former President Donald Trump over his refusal to say whether he’d have done the same. But DeSantis rarely discusses it in-depth on the campaign trail, even in front of anti-abortion supporters. DeSantis approved the six-week ban late at night, in a low-key April ceremony later announced through a press release and on social media. In comparison, when he signed the 15-week ban into law, he held a live-streamed public event at a church with multiple speakers. He cruised to reelection last year even though the 15-week ban doesn’t carry widely supported exceptions for rape and incest. DeSantis also hasn’t said whether he’d support a federal abortion ban as president, vaguely committing to “support pro-life policies.” Other GOP presidential candidates have been much more clear, including Sen. Tim Scott (S.C.) and former Vice President Mike Pence. DeSantis will be under pressure to take a stance. Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of the influential SBA Pro-Life America who chaired Trump’s 2016 "Pro-Life Coalition," said the organization wanted candidates to back a minimum federal restriction of at least 15 weeks, and for them to call out Democrats who refuse to set gestational limits. “The pro-life movement must have a nominee who will boldly advocate for consensus in Congress,” she said. “Dismissing this task as unrealistic is not acceptable.” The organization argues that the issue can be a winner at the ballot box when candidates are clear about where they stand rather than dodging the issue. Examples would include Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), who co-sponsored a 15-week federal ban, and Gov. Brian Kemp (R-Ga.), who authorized a six-week ban. As for Florida, its abortion laws aren't necessarily a done deal. A push for signatures is underway to put the question before voters in 2024. If passed, Florida would permit abortion until roughly 24 weeks into a pregnancy and includes broad health exceptions for post-viability abortions. "When we put abortion on the ballot in Florida, I have faith that voters will restore reproductive rights here," Democratic state Senate minority Leader Lauren Book said. — WHERE'S RON? Gov. DeSantis will join America’s Newsroom on Fox News Channel in the 9 a.m. EST hour. On Saturday, he’ll participate in Never Back Down activities in Iowa. Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for Playbook? Get in touch at: kleonard@politico.com | | | | DOWNLOAD THE POLITICO APP: Stay in the know with the 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. DOWNLOAD FOR iOS – DOWNLOAD FOR ANDROID. | | | | | |  | ... DATELINE TALLAHASSEE ... | | ALSO HAPPENING TODAY — Florida’s ethics commission's public meeting at 8:45 a.m., just days after DeSantis tapped two new commissioners. (Agenda) AND Ruth’s List, which works to elect women to public office who support abortion rights, is holding its “She’s the Change” conference in Orlando today and tomorrow. PREVIEW — “Abortion-rights supporters see little hope ahead of Florida high court arguments,” by POLITICO’s Arek Sarkissian: “I'm not a Supreme Court justice, obviously, but I can read the tea leaves,” said Democratic state Sen. Lauren Book, the minority leader in the Florida Senate. “They're not going to say that this is a special protection under our Constitution.” CONFLICT? — “Florida Supreme Court justices have personal ties to abortion, Disney. Should they recuse themselves?” by the Orlando Sentinel’s Skyler Swisher: “Justice Meredith Sasso is married to one of DeSantis’ go-to guys in his culture war battle against Disney … Justice Charles Canady’s wife is a Republican state representative who co-sponsored a six-week abortion ban … The ethics code advises justices to avoid the ‘appearance of impropriety.’ It also states judges should disqualify themselves if their ‘impartiality might reasonably be questioned,’ including instances in which a judge’s spouse has an interest that could be affected.” DISNEY LATEST — “DeSantis’ tourism district agrees to narrow Disney federal lawsuit,” to just the issue of free speech, the Orlando-Sentinel writes, “leaving other matters dealing with development agreements and contracts to be resolved in state court.” Disney statement: “We will continue to fight vigorously to defend these contracts, because these agreements will determine whether or not Disney can invest billions of dollars and generate thousands of new jobs in Florida.” UF — “How Ben Sasse became a combatant in Florida’s education wars,” by NYT Magazine’s Michael Sokolove: “As DeSantis has turned public education into a political battleground, his state’s flagship university, now led by the former G.O.P. senator from Nebraska, has not remained neutral territory.” WORKPLACE COMPLAINTS — “DeSantis’ affordable housing director was abusive, sexist, employees said,” by Tampa Bay Times’ Lawrence Mower: The director "yelled and screamed at staff, made sexist comments, talked about their weight and threatened their jobs, employees of the Florida Housing Finance Corp. told an inspector general during an investigation. The behavior of Mike DiNapoli, a former New York City financial adviser chosen by DeSantis to lead the corporation, created a hostile work environment that violated the organization’s policies, the corporation’s inspector general told board members Thursday.” 2020 RETURNS — “Gov. DeSantis and Florida surgeon general warn against new COVID-19 restrictions and vaccine,” by The Associated Press: DeSantis on Thursday “criticized recent efforts across the U.S. to tamp down a recent jump in COVID-19 cases through temporary restrictions or masking and his state surgeon general warned against getting the latest COVID-19 vaccine, which is expected to be available this month.” They “promised Florida won’t be joining states, cities or school districts across the U.S. in temporarily closing schools or mandating mask-wearing.” — “Proposed new rule on mask mandates in health care settings raises concerns,” by Christine Jordan Sexton | | PENINSULA AND BEYOND | |
OCTOBER AWARENESS — “After marathon meeting, Miami-Dade School Board rejects LGBTQ Month — again,” by Miami Herald’s Sommer Brugal: The board rejected the proposal because “members claimed the measure violated state law even though it included language saying it wouldn’t affect instruction and the board’s attorney assured it was legal. The proposal — which drew enough people to fill the school board auditorium with at least 75 more people waiting outside to have their comments known, including a contingent of Proud Boys, with a few wearing shirts that said ‘Shoot Your Local Pedophile’ — failed 5-3.”
— “Miami mayor returns to Quinn Emanuel after short-lived campaign,” by Bloomberg Law’s Tatyana Monnay | | DESANTISLAND | |
DESANTIS’ PERSONAL FINANCES UPDATE — This newsletter previously reported that DeSantis failed to correctly report his income when he submitted details about his personal finances roughly a month ago. The disclosures are required for presidential candidates, and in such instances, ethics officers review the documents and work with campaigns before certifying a completed form.
That form is now complete, and so the public has a fuller picture of where the governor’s money comes from and how it’s spent. Here’s what it showed:
- DeSantis' book advance was $1.88 million — more than the $1.25 million he reported on his state disclosure that only accounts for up to the end of 2022. It’s not uncommon for authors to get more payouts after a book is published. DeSantis also got $100,000 for marketing the book.
- The governor still owes between $10,000 and $15,000 in student loans.
- His wife, Florida first lady Casey DeSantis, is listed as having no source of income or separately owned financial account.
- DeSantis didn’t buy property over the last year.
The document also solves a mystery Playbook previously noticed: It looks like DeSantis or someone on his team accidentally misstated the name of his book, “The Courage to Be Free.” An earlier version of the report incorrectly listed a book called “The Courage to Lead,” which peaked our interest as to whether a sequel was in the works. HEATED EXCHANGE — DeSantis lashes out after audience member ties his policies to Jacksonville shooting, by Politico’s Kimberly Leonard: The man accused the governor of backing policies that “hurt people like myself” and said weapons go to “hateful people.” DeSantis shot back: “You don’t get to come here and blame me for some madman. That is not appropriate and I’m not going to accept it.” | | ...HURRICANE HOLE... | |
HURRICANE LEE — The storm “strengthened to a Category 5 storm late Thursday night, forecasters said, and could present potentially dangerous beach conditions on the U.S. East Coast as early as this Sunday,” per NPR.
| | TRUMPLANDIA AND THE SWAMP | |
THIS FALL — “Trump plans $1M ‘family style’ Mar-a-Lago dinner to raise money for his co-defendants,” by The Messenger’s Marc Caputo: “The fund is designed to primarily help Trump’s codefendants and witnesses in the cases against him, and it’s supposed to operate in tandem with Trump’s Save America PAC, which will primarily handle his legal bills, the sources said.”
J6 — “Enrique Tarrio’s mom speaks out about Proud Boys ex-leader’s 22-year prison sentence,” by Miami Herald’s Max Greenwood and Grethel Aguila: “Twenty-two years of sentencing seems, like, extremely excessive,” Zuny Duarte Tarrio said at a press conference in Miami. “It’s really hurting the families. All of the families.” — “DeSantis and Ramaswamy call Proud Boys’ sentences ‘excessive’ and ‘wrong,’” by The New York Times’ Maggie Astor | | CAMPAIGN MODE | |
TAILGATE TWINS — DeSantis and Trump will both attend the tailgate for the Iowa vs. Iowa State game in Ames on Saturday.
EYES EMOJI — DeSantis is testing out the name “Trump-Fauci White House” on Twitter, Playbook noticed. The Trump campaign hit back with an email to reporters reminding them that DeSantis once praised Fauci. | | ODDS, ENDS AND FLORIDA MEN | |
BIRTHDAYS: State Rep. Thad Altman … former state Sen. Anitere Flores … Karen Castor Dentel, Orange County school board member and former legislator … former Rep. Mark Foley (Saturday) Former state Sen. Tony Hill … investor and hotel owner Harris Rosen … Former Tallahassee Democrat editor Ron Morris
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