Staff Reports
In addition to praising DeSantis, Trump will have a lot to say in Tampa
With President Donald Trump in the state on Tuesday, most political eyes in Florida will be turned toward Tampa. What part, or parts, of his remarks at the Florida State Fairgrounds will make the night’s sound bites on the cable news channels?
Floridians, mostly Republicans, and state media want to know how much he will gush over Republican Rep. Ron DeSantis as he reaffirms his endorsement of DeSantis’s candidacy for governor. In a new DeSantis ad (see below), the Congressman seems to be hoping for another “conservative warrior” type of blessing.
That could come in the form of praise for DeSantis taking on the newest superstar of the Democratic Party, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who upset veteran Rep. Joe Crowley in a New York primary. DeSantis and Ocasio-Cortez engaged in a back-and-forth, leading to a successful fundraising appeal for the Floridian.
Will Trump even mention the name of Adam Putnam, the Commissioner of Agriculture and former front-runner, whom Trump is bypassing in favor of DeSantis? Despite not being on the stage, Gov. Rick Scott is certain to be lauded in absentia.
Perhaps a Trumpian nickname for Scott’s opponent, Sen. Bill Nelson will be thrown out. The name of Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh is sure to come up, followed by an exhortation to call Nelson demanding support for Kavanaugh’s confirmation.
To add a little spice to that discussion, an immigrant group on Monday filed yet another lawsuit against the Trump “travel ban,” which was upheld by a 5-4 vote in June.
Before all of that, the “fake news media” is certain to receive their customary antagonist. He may respond to New York Times publisher A.G. Sulzberger, who said he “implored” Trump to tone down the anti-media rhetoric.
Trump has also thrown out the “shutdown” word again. After mentioning it over the weekend, the president doubled down on Monday, threatening to take the step of shutting down the government if Congress does not meet his demands for border security and immigration reform.
He will have a receptive audience when he brings up the “witch hunt,” also known as special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation into Russian interference, and possible Trump campaign collusion, in the 2016 elections.
Tariffs, trade agreements and Iran are just some of the other topics sure to come up. Trump often speaks for at least an hour during these rallies, providing ample time to make news.
Trump opponents will be nearby as well, if not inside the venue. Primetime cable, as well as the morning shows, will have plenty to wade through from both sides.
Nelson calls for special session to fix beach access law
Nelson is demanding Scott call for a special session to fix a beach access law that Scott signed during the 2018 Legislative Session. The three-term incumbent visited a Walton County beach to highlight the point.
The law allows some private homeowners to keep the public off beaches connected to their land. It requires counties to gain approval from a judge to allow public access to those beaches.
Standing in front of a “no trespassing” sign near a beach walkover and surrounded by curious vacationers, Nelson said the state is risking its tourism-driven economy.
“There is an easy way to fix this,” Nelson said. “Gov. Scott signed a law to create no trespassing on beaches that have always been considered public use. He should call a special session.”
Scott had earlier issued an executive order delaying enforcement of the law due to “confusion about beach access.” That was not enough for Nelson.
“The governor’s executive order did not do anything, it only added to the confusion,” he said. “This law is establishing a terrible precedent for the selfish interests of a few property owners.”
Scott’s Senate campaign responded.
“It’s been widely reported that this legislation, which was passed with overwhelming support from both Democrats and Republicans, does not privatize Florida’s beaches,” campaign press secretary Lauren Schenone said.
“Governor Scott took executive action to protect beach access and has been clear that he is committed to keeping our beaches open to the public,” she said.
Rubio urges quick action on flood insurance
Last week, the House voted to extend the National Flood Insurance Program through Nov. 30. The Senate must act by Tuesday night or the program will lapse.
Delegation members such as Democratic Rep. Charlie Crist hailed the vote, while Republican Dennis Ross blasted the Senate for not acting on a five-year extension the House passed earlier in the year.
Republican Sen. Marco Rubio agrees that the Senate has to get moving. He cited the program’s necessity to Floridians.
“We must stop playing politics with the reauthorization of flood insurance and get this done now,” he tweeted. “House-passed bill does not protect new property owners if program lapses (Tuesday) night. Time is running out. This is an unacceptable punishment in the middle of hurricane season.
Rubio, like Ross, has argued for a long-term solution. In an op-ed published two weeks ago in the Tampa Bay Times, the two-term Senator warned of the perils of inaction.
“If the flood insurance program is not reauthorized by July 31, insurance agents participating in the program will be unable to issue new policies,” he wrote. “That means Florida’s real estate market will be thrown into chaos, as flood insurance is a prerequisite in special flood hazard areas for federally backed mortgage loans.”
With the House adjourned until September, the Senate must pass the House legislation without amendments or the program will lapse.
Gaetz wants answers on FBI/Southern Poverty Law Center cooperation
Republicans and conservatives have not been happy with FBI leadership lately and have long been opponents of the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC). Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz is chafing at the thought of the two working together.
The SPLC is known for designating certain organizations, such as the Christian Family Research Council, whom Gaetz supports, as hate groups. He said the FBI recently admitted to working with the SPLC, prompting a letter to the FBI’s Office of Congressional Affairs.
“The SPLC’s conflation of mainstream political advocacy groups with legitimate hate groups and domestic terrorist groups is absurd, frequently indiscrete, and dangerous,” Gaetz wrote.
Gaetz asked if the FBI works with the SPLC in determining which groups to investigate and what weight they give to information received from the group. He also asked what information the FBI provides.
The Department of Justice responded to the controversy.
“The attorney general has directed the FBI to re-evaluate their relationships with groups like this to ensure the FBI does not partner with any group that discriminates,” a spokesperson said in a statement.
Soderberg leads Democrats in CD 6; Republicans in 3-way tie
Congressional District 6, currently represented by DeSantis, is a GOP-leaning district, but this year analysts are giving it a closer look. Polling shows that a strong Democrat is set to take on whoever emerges from the Republican primary.
Nancy Soderberg, a former senior State Department official, has established a clear lead among Democrats. According to a recent survey by St. Pete Polls, Soderberg has a 17-point lead over John Upchurch and 20 points over Stephen Sevigny.
“We see from this poll that when people hear Nancy’s message, they overwhelmingly support her,” said Blake Davis, Soderberg’s campaign manager, in a statement.
On the Republican side, Fred Costello, an Ormond Beach dentist who has previously served as a state representative and Ormond Beach mayor, led with 21.1 percent. Ponte Vedra Beach investor John Ward and retired Army Lt. Col. Michael Waltz trailed slightly at 20.5 and 20 percent, respectively.
There is room for candidates from both parties to increase their support. Among Democrats, nearly half of the voters said they were undecided, while 38 percent of Republicans have yet to make up their mind.
The Daytona Beach News-Journal is hosting candidate debates this week. Republicans will take the stage on Wednesday and Democrats on Thursday.
DeSantis attaches to Trump in new ad
On the eve of Trump’s visit to Florida, DeSantis announced a new advertisement that drapes himself all over the president. The ad’s main theme is video of DeSantis playing with one of his children, using blocks with a message to “build the wall.”
The ad has little to do with the job of Florida governor. It does achieve the purpose in reminding Republican primary voters that Trump has endorsed the three-term Congressman from Palm Coast.
To watch the DeSantis ad, click on the image below:
“Everyone knows my husband Ron DeSantis is endorsed by President Trump,” DeSantis’s wife, Casey, says to open the ad. “But he’s also an amazing dad. Ron loves playing with the kids.”
DeSantis can also be seen reading to his infant child from Trump’s book “The Art of the Deal” and holding up a Trump campaign sign. It concludes with the descriptive words “Conservative Warrior” under his name, a moniker given to him by Trump.
The ad began running on Tuesday, but the campaign did not indicate in which markets in Florida it would air or how much is being spent.
Last week, the Putnam committee Florida Grown PAC began airing an ad highlighting DeSantis’s support for a 23 percent sales tax (Fair Tax) that also eliminates the income tax and payroll taxes. Conservative supporters of the Fair Tax were highly critical of the Putnam ad.
The latest polling has DeSantis running 12 to 13 points ahead of Putnam with four weeks remaining before the election.
Crist bill on Israeli security included in national defense legislation
The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which passed last week, folded in several individual bills from delegation members. Among those was a measure introduced by Crist and Louisiana Republican Mike Johnson.
The United States-Israel Joint Drone Detection Cooperation Act establishes a strategic partnership between the United States and Israel to combat drone attacks from Iran and other adversaries. Crist and Johnson unveiled the legislation in February.
“To see our bipartisan proposal continue to receive broad support and swiftly move through Congress speaks to the urgent need to address the growing threat of drone attacks to U.S. and Israeli security,” said Crist. “This new partnership will further our vital alliance on defense and foreign policy strategy, greatly benefiting both our countries and keeping our people safe.”
In addition to being incorporated into the NDAA, the Crist/Johnson legislation was also included in a larger U.S.-Israel security package passed last week by the House Foreign Affairs Committee. Its inclusion in these major legislative packages will solidify this strategic partnership in both U.S. national security and foreign policies.
Democratic chances improve in CD 15
Another GOP-leaning district said to be in play is Florida’s 15th Congressional District, currently held by the retiring Ross. While Republicans are still favored to win, it does not appear to be a sure thing.
The Cook Political Report (CPR) has lowered its ranking from “Likely Republican” to “Leans Republican.” That is based largely on the fundraising strength of Democrats.
Kristen Carlson, a former general counsel for the Florida Citrus Commission, has raised nearly $250,000 with $200,000 cash on hand as of June 30. Navy veteran Andrew Learned has also raised more than $220,000. Both have outraised the Republican candidates.
The leading Republicans are former state Rep. Neil Combee and Rep. Ross Spano. Whoever wins the August 28 primary, will need the backing of the losing candidate according to CPR.
“This district is well within the strike zone of plausible Democratic targets, and Carlson’s experience with citrus could make her formidable in November, particularly if Republicans struggle to unite,” according to the Cook analysis.
Buchanan holds 10-point lead over Shapiro
Despite facing a well-funded candidate, Republican Rep. Vern Buchanan from Longboat Key is holding on to a solid lead in his bid for re-election in district 16. According to a recent survey from St. Pete Polls, Buchanan holds a 10-point advantage over attorney David Shapiro.
The poll showed Buchanan with 44 percent to 34.5 for Shapiro. Another 21.5 percent remain undecided.
Despite the head-to-head advantage, there are warning signs for Buchanan. While he has a 44 percent approval rating, 38 percent have an unfavorable view and 18 percent are unsure.
Shapiro has a 34-29 percent favorable/unfavorable rating with 37 percent unsure. Earlier both the Cook Political Report and Larry Sabato’s Crystal Ball moved the race from “Likely Republican” to “Leans Republican.”
Curbelo gains some Democratic support in effort to keep CD 26 seat
By sheer numbers, the odds seem to be stacked against Kendall Republican Carlos Curbelo as he seeks a third term in Congress. His 26th district, which covers parts of South Florida that includes Miami-Dade County and the Florida Keys, has more Democrats than Republicans and recent trends show them solidly voting that way.
Despite the fact Hillary Clinton won the district by double digits in 2016 and 2018 is predicted by several pundits to be a Democratic wave year, there are those who say Curbelo could still survive the challenge of Debbie Mucarsel-Powell. Many Democrats feel that if they are to win back the House, they must win districts like the 26th.
“This is a district we’re going to win, and we’re going to shout about it in the evening when polls are still open in California to keep people in line,” crowed one national Democrat to the Miami Herald when granted anonymity to speak freely.
Republicans counter that Curbelo is not the stereotypical conservative Republican, pointing to his stance on helping DREAMers achieve legal status and serving as co-chairman of the House Climate Change Caucus. He also has the backing of several Democratic donors.
“I’m a Democrat, but I want to leave some rational people in the Republican Party to talk to other Republicans, and he does that,” said Ira Leesfield, a major Democratic donor who has also donated to Curbelo.
Curbelo is raising funds like an endangered incumbent. As of June 30, he had raised $3.5 million and had $2.6 million still available. Mucarsel-Powell had raised $1.6 million and still had $1.3 million on hand.
Curbelo is counting on some Democrats looking beyond party labels and judging him on his moderate record.
“Really, he’s been very clever in how he’s positioned himself,” said former state Rep. Mike Abrams, a former Dade County Democratic chair. “Still, at the end of the day, he’s a vote for a party right now that’s controlled by Donald Trump.”
On this day in the headlines
July 31, 1965 — President Lyndon Johnson signed his $6.5 billion Medicare bill yesterday after journeying more than 1,000 miles to share “this time of triumph” with former President Harry S. Truman. The new law, said the 81-year-old former president, will mean dignity, not charity, “for those of us who have moved to the sidelines.”
Truman sat at Johnson’s elbow as the president etched bits of his signature with dozens of pens, then dished them out. The signing took place in the 275-seat auditorium within the Harry S. Truman library.
July 31, 2012 — With both parties unable to reach an agreement on a budget, some drastic cuts in several government programs, especially defense, are on the table. If the defense cuts, defined as “sequestration,” are made, legislators say it will devastate military programs.
“Bottom line, MacDill Air Force Base is toast if this goes through,” said Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina. Democratic Rep. Kathy Castor of Tampa said that in addition to MacDill, “our local economy, schools, universities, infrastructure and medical research will suffer.”
(NOTE: The sequestration cuts went into effect on March 1, 2013)
Police officer, Rubio staff help homeless man
A little more than one week ago, a Tallahassee homeless man known as “Phil” was living under an overpass with not much going for him. That is when Tallahassee Police Officer Tony Carlson came along not to arrest him, but instead to give him a shave. A passer-by caught the encounter on video.
Carlson said he would help Phil get a job, at which point a local McDonald’s said if Phil had an ID and passed a background check, they would give him a job. After hearing about Carlson’s generosity, Rubio’s Tallahassee office pitched in to help expedite the process and provide the necessary paperwork.
After filling out the paperwork and waiting for a few days, Phil received an answer; he got the job. Carlson was heralded for his initial action of helping someone in need, but he downplayed his role.
“I didn’t do anything spectacular. It happens all the time,” Carlson said. “It just so happened that this time somebody caught it on film. Officers all over the place in other cities are always doing things like this that don’t get the attention.”
