Staff Reports
Wasserman Schultz ‘will not be intimidated!’ by bombs
With the news that apparent explosive devices were delivered to prominent Democrats, devoted critics of President Donald Trump, and CNN, the already divisive political climate became even more hostile. Florida is prominently included in this story with two of the packages directed toward Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz of Weston.
In addition to devices addressed to former President Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton and others, two were sent to Wasserman Schultz’s offices in Sunrise and Aventura. Her Sunrise office was used as a return address for other packages that included a misspelling of her name.
“We will not be intimidated by this attempted act of violence,” Wasserman Schultz said in a statement issued late Wednesday. “This appalling attack on our democracy must be vigorously prosecuted, and I am deeply disturbed by the way my name was used.”
Trump called the actions “egregious conduct” and “abhorrent.
“Acts or threats of physical violence have no place in the United States,” he said.
Some within the delegation weighed in.
“As Americans, we must hold to our common values as a civil and caring people,” tweeted Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson. “There is no place in our society for political vitriol or violence of any kind.”
Democratic Rep. Ted Deutch of Boca Raton, who spoke on civility at a town hall this week (see below) pledged the perpetrators would be caught and gave thanks that no one, including his Florida colleague, was hurt.
“I’m glad everyone is safe, incl. my friend @DWSTweets and her staff,” Deutch tweeted. “Americans must stand together against these awful acts of terror.”
It did not take long for the finger pointing to begin.
“Time and time again, the President has condoned physical violence and divided Americans with his words and action,” said Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer and House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi in a joint statement. “President Trump’s words ring hollow until he reverses his statements that condone acts of violence.
The lawmakers were referring to his recent praise of a Montana Congressman who “body slammed” a journalist and Trump’s referrals to what he calls the “fake news media” as “enemies of the people.” Trump did not directly blame the media for the incidents, he did say a “big part of the anger we see in our society is caused by the purposely false and inaccurate reporting of the Mainstream Media that I refer to as Fake News.”
“The President, and especially the White House Press Secretary, should understand their words matter,” said CNN Worldwide President Jeff Zucker. “Thus far, they have shown no comprehension of that.”
Republican Sen. Marco Rubio early said that such attacks on an American are “an attack on us all,” but later responded directly to Zucker.
After agreeing that “words matter,” Rubio said “The 1st Amendment protects press freedom, but it doesn’t bestow immunity from criticism. Criticism and calling people to violence are not the same.”
Republicans and conservative commentators defend the President by pointing to acts of physical harassment of administration officials and Republican elected officials. Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi was one of those.
In addition, they remind others of the shooting of House Majority Whip Steve Scalise last year by a Democratic activist.
No one seems to be blaming the person(s) who sent the bombs. Most on Capitol Hill are wisely waiting until arrests are made or at least until more is known before making statements.
UPDATE: NBC News reports that Cesar Sayoc Jr., 56, of Florida was identified Friday as the suspect who sent a dozen pipe bomb packages to prominent critics of President Trump. Sayoc’s white van, which had pictures of Trump and the presidential seal plastered to the windows, was seized by the officials and hauled off to a secure facility.
Pre-existing condition coverage ‘personal’ to Scott, Nelson
Once the campaigns began to heat up, it became clear that health care was among the top of the list of voter concerns. That issue came front and center in a big way this week in the Senate race between Scott and Nelson.
The campaigns actually had dueling ads that conveyed the same message. The only difference was, each accused the other of playing politics.
The Senate Majority PAC (SMP) released an ad called “My Life,” which featured breast cancer survivor Donna Morton chastising the Governor for “letting insurance companies gut protections for people with pre-existing conditions.”
The ad concludes with Morton saying the issue was politics to Scott, “but to me, it’s my life.”
To view the ad, click on the image below:
“Millions of Floridians count on their health insurance to survive and Rick Scott showed them that he is willing to put their lives at risk for his own political gain,” said Hannah Hurley, spokesperson for SMP. “For the people of Florida, health care isn’t political, it’s personal.”
Almost simultaneously Scott was up with an ad produced by his campaign. Ironically, the ad is titled “It’s Personal,” featuring Scott telling the story of his brother having a pre-existing condition and the hardship their mother endured getting him treatment.
The ad continues with Scott saying, “I support forcing insurance companies to cover pre-existing conditions,” while the message is highlighted on the screen. It concludes with the charge “for Senator Nelson, it’s just another political issue, but for me, it’s personal.”
How often have dueling campaign ads carried the identical take-away messages?
Dunn pledges Panhandle will be ‘better than ever’
With the enormity of the devastation created by Hurricane Michael strewed across Congressional District 2, Panama City Republican Rep. Neal Dunn tried to offer hope to residents who lost their homes and others who lost family. Touring the ravaged areas in Bay County with U.S. House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy and local leaders, Dunn said Tyndall Air Force Base would also be a focus of recovery.
“The devastation of Hurricane Michael will not deter Panama City, Lynn Haven, Mexico City, and Tyndall Air Force Base from rebounding to heights greater than before the storm,” McCarthy said. “And it will be built to the highest standards to protect communities for generations. I thank Congressman Dunn for bringing me out and all of the local leaders and volunteers helping their fellow citizen.”
Dunn rode out Hurricane Michael at the Bay County Emergency Operations Center and has spent time in the affected counties over the last two weeks. He has spoken with leaders at all levels of government on the need to support the rebuilding and recovery efforts, including Trump, Speaker Paul Ryan, Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson, and Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson.
“I am committed to working with all levels of government to assist in rebuilding our communities,” said Dunn. “Tyndall is home to many great Air Force programs and this is an opportunity for us to plan for the future and build a base that fulfills the future needs of our airmen — whether that be state of the art drone ready simulation buildings, to hangers that are equipped with up to date technology. We will rebuild, and we will come back better than ever.”
On Thursday, Vice-President Mike Pence came to Tyndall and the region to get a firsthand look.
“It’s great to know we have the support of President Trump and VP Pence in the timely rebuilding of Tyndall,” Dunn said. “Rebuilding after this disaster will take time, but Northwest Florida is resilient and not even Hurricane Michael can keep us down.”
Panhandle delegation urge disaster declaration for federal fisheries
Hurricane Michael devastated homes, lives and livelihoods when it blasted the Panhandle. The fishing and seafood industry were among those severely impacted by the near-Category 5 storm.
Along with Nelson, Rubio and Dunn, Republican Reps Matt Gaetz of Fort Walton Beach and Democratic Rep. Al Lawson of Tallahassee are urging Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross to address the plight of this industry by approving a declaration of disaster.
“As you consider the state’s request for a federal fishery resource disaster declaration and additional Economic Development Agency assistance, we also remind you that the significant shellfish industry in Apalachicola Bay and neighboring areas of the Gulf Coast had already been dealt a tremendous blow in 2012, for which a federal fishery resource disaster was declared in 2013,” they wrote.
“As a result, this assistance is all the more necessary now, and we respectfully request that your decision accurately reflects the grave situation along the shores of Florida’s Panhandle, they added. We stand ready to work with you to secure the federal resources needed to fulfill this request.”
The lawmakers were following up on the official request made by Scott on Tuesday. In his plea for the designation to Ross, Scott said “We are doing what we can to get fishermen back on the water again, but we request your immediate assistance.”
Castor seeks to scrap ‘junk’ health plans
Democratic Rep. Kathy Castor of Tampa is sponsoring a bill in Congress that would block what she calls “junk” health plans for consumers.
“These do not match the essential health benefit of the current policies available on healthcare.gov [through the exchanges under the Affordable Care Act,]” Castor said. “They might look good — they’re a little cheaper — but they don’t provide [quality care.]
Castor filed the resolution along with several other Congressional Democrats last month.
She highlighted the effort during a conference call Thursday reacting to former Congressman Ron DeSantis’s health care plan now available on his gubernatorial campaign website. DeSantis’s plan would allow Floridians with pre-existing conditions to enroll in a high-risk pool for insurance, which he says protects those residents with previous health ailments.
Castor rejects that claim noting that it’s another way to place vulnerable populations into the subpar plans.
“Florida has tried that before,” Castor said. “In operation how they’re used usually is to restrict people from coverage. What they typically do is they restrict you on time periods and they charge you an enormous amount of money.”
Castor is pushing for health coverage that spreads risk for insurance companies by making sure plenty of people — both healthy and sick — are covered.
Under the Affordable Care Act, more Americans would receive coverage through a combination of Medicaid expansion and subsidized plans through a health insurance marketplace. But the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that states could opt out of Medicaid expansion, which Florida did.
That means there are still some 20 million adults without insurance in Florida, which contributes to higher premiums for those who are insured, Castor said.
Castor is backing Andrew Gillum, DeSantis’s opponent in the Florida Governor’s race, because Gillum would expand Medicaid if he got the backing from the Florida Legislature, which is unlikely under its current political makeup.
Trump signs opioid bill with Buchanan provisions
Legislation sponsored by Republican Rep. Vern Buchanan aimed at addressing the opioid crisis won the signature of Trump this week. The new legislation, included within a larger package of opioid-related legislation, creates a national database providing information to legitimate patients on how to handle manage their pain without relying on opioids.
“Drug addiction is claiming far too many lives here in Florida and across the country,” Buchanan said. “I hope my legislation gives doctors and patients the information they need to seek out safer alternatives to managing pain.”
It’s an issue close to Buchanan’s heart. He’s spoken openly in the past about how the opioid problem touched his own family. It has been a particular problem for the 16th Congressional District Buchanan represents, but one that’s improving.
Buchanan has a history of sponsoring legislation combating drug abuse. In addition to working with the Food and Drug Administration to make it more difficult for narcotics addicts to obtain drugs, he also introduced the Pill Mill Crackdown Act of 2011 and co-sponsored the STOP Act, a law enforcement effort aimed at synthetic drugs.
His staff noted this bill as the 16th Buchanan-penned bill to become law. That includes six bills signed by Obama.
“Nothing is impossible if we work together,” Buchanan said, crediting his constituents with many of the ideas that he introduced. “We need more civility and less partisanship in Washington.”
Buchanan is seeking re-election against the strong challenge of Democrat David Shapiro.
Mast, Senators hail authorization of Lake O reservoir
On Tuesday, Trump signed the 2018 Water Resources Development Act which, among other things, makes the construction of a Lake Okeechobee reservoir officially authorized. Both Florida Senators and Republican Rep. Brian Mast, all of whom worked to make the reservoir happen at the federal level, celebrated the announcement.
“President Trump’s signing of WRDA is an important step toward solving Florida’s water challenges,” Rubio said in a news release. “This water infrastructure bill, which includes key projects that will address Florida’s growing water challenges, authorizes the new EAA Storage Reservoir that will reduce harmful discharges to Florida’s coasts and enhance the promise of Everglades restoration.”
The measure also includes language ordering the Army Corps of Engineers to expedite the rehabilitation of the lake’s Herbert Hoover Dike.
Nelson tweeted about the joint effort undertaken by him and Rubio.
“Lake Okeechobee reservoir, which will help reduce green algae, is now federal law — based on language by Sen. Rubio and I.”
Mast was equally pleased and point to 9 of his provisions that were included. He shared credit with his colleagues in the Senate and stated this is among his highest accomplishments as a first-term Congressman.
We have “fully funded the rehabilitation of the Herbert Hoover Dike, but authorizing the EAA Southern Storage Reservoir and forcing a redo of the Lake Okeechobee Regulation Schedule are the biggest accomplishments yet in our fight” for higher water quality, Mast said in an email to constituents and the media.
Democratic Rep. Frederica Wilson of Miami Gardens was a co-sponsor of the bill.
F. Rooney backed by affordable drug advocates
Among the more active members of the delegation working to lower prescription drug prices has been Republican Rep. Francis Rooney of Naples. Despite the expectation he will cruise to re-election, Rooney is being saluted by an advocacy group for his efforts in a new television ad.
Patients For Affordable Drugs Action launched the spot pointing to Rooney’s “leadership to lower drug prices. The group wishes to “deliver the message that Rooney is standing up for them” and engaging in bipartisan negotiations to lower prices.
“Florida voters should know that Congressman Rooney stands with them in the fight for lower prescription drug prices,” said David Mitchell, a cancer patient and the founder of Patients For Affordable Drugs Action. “He is working across the aisle to let Medicare negotiate for lower drug prices, and he backs important bipartisan legislation to speed cheaper generics to market. It’s important that we keep his voice in Congress.”
Congressman Rooney was an early sponsor of the CREATES Act, legislation that would stop abuses by brand-name drug companies to prevent less expensive generic drugs from coming to market. He has shown real leadership by signing on as the only Republican cosponsoring The Medicare Prescription Drug Price Negotiation Act of 2017 — legislation that would allow the federal government to negotiate for lower drug prices.
The six-figure buy will run through Election Day on broadcast and cable television.
Deutch calls for civility
As he took questions from voters across the political spectrum at the Gold Coast Tiger Bay Club on Wednesday, Deutch stressed the importance of communication and civility. He did not mention the recent bomb scares targeting lawmakers and others earlier that day.
Whether it was intentional or not, his message made the point that Americans must tone down harsh political rhetoric often seen in the country’s current state.
“That tone isn’t helpful in our communities where we have real problems that we have to discuss with one another, where we do have difference of opinion, but we’ve got to respect those differences of opinion if we’re ever going to figure out how to address the significant challenges we have,” Deutch said
Deutch argued the rhetoric stems from cable news networks that see these important issues as “entertainment,” which incentivizes certain levels of hype that can drive people toward more extreme views. He also explained how he sees partisanship affecting the efficiency of government.
Deutch used the example of the House Judiciary Committee, on which he sits.
“It’s the role of the Judiciary Committee, for example, to examine what it means when (Trump‘s) personal lawyer goes into court and says … that the President instructed him to violate federal law,” he said.
“I’m not jumping to conclusions about what that means. But I’m suggesting that the Judiciary Committee historically would have followed up with some hearings to try to understand what Michael Cohen was talking about, whether there’s more there, how it impacts decision-making.”
He argued congressional representatives, particularly on the judiciary committee, at times attempt to shield presidents of their own party, even at the expense of serving as a check on the Executive Branch as the Founders intended.
As career winds down, Ros-Lehtinen wins praise from Netanyahu
In one of her final official activities, Miami Republican Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen traveled to the Middle East recently. The visit by the Chairman of the Middle East and North Africa Subcommittee and Chairman Emeritus of the Foreign Affairs Committee included a sit-down with Jordan’s King Abdullah and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as well as Knesset leadership.
Netanyahu praised Ros-Lehtinen for her efforts in developing the strong bond between the U.S. and Israel.
“We have never had a better defender of Israel and a better defender of the truth,” Netanyahu said. “So, I want to thank you.”
She thanked him for his “humbling words,” and called developing the strong relationship between the two countries as “the joy of my professional life.”
Deutch, the Vice chairman of the Middle East and North Africa Subcommittee, said “Congress is going to miss @roslehtinen passionate advocacy for the U.S.-Israel relationship. And I’m going to miss my partner and friend.”
Curbelo ad wonders why he is Washington’s top target
In a new campaign ad, Republican Rep. Carlos Curbelo refers to himself as “the top target for Washington special interests.” Curbelo is facing a stiff challenge from Debbie Mucarsel-Powell as he looks to defend his seat representing the 26th Congressional District.
The new ad titled “Washington’s Top Target,” refers to outside money being put into efforts to unseat Curbelo.
To view the ad, click on the image below:
“How did I become the top target for Washington special interests when even the media say things like…,” Curbelo begins, before a narrator interjects by reading several newspaper headlines.
“Curbelo seeks common ground, criticizes both sides for unyielding partisanship,” the narrator continues.
“I don’t take orders from any party or lobby,” Curbelo adds. “That’s why out-of-state interests are spending millions to help my opponent.”
“Mucarsel-Powell: Sharply partisan, as a liberal, would raise taxes and cut Medicare,” says another narrator, reading off more headlines.
“She’ll march lockstep with special interests,” Curbelo says. “I only answer to you.”
Melvin Felix, a spokesperson for Mucarsel-Powell, hit back using Medicare and tax cuts as a weapon.
“It’s laughable that Curbelo is falsely accusing Debbie of aiming to cut Medicare, which he has described as a ‘Ponzi scheme,’” Felix said.
“The fact is Carlos Curbelo co-wrote the shameful Republican tax law, which blew a massive $1.9 trillion hole in the budget, and which his party is now very openly using as justification for cutting the Medicare and Social Security our seniors have earned.”
A report earlier in October by Kantar Media showed the CD 26 race was the most expensive in the country when it came to funds put into TV ads. Both candidates have been the beneficiaries of outside money pouring into the race.
Larry Sabato’s Crystal ball has the race as “Leans Republican,” while the Cook Political Report calls it a “Toss Up.”
Analyst shifts three open-seats closer to Democrats
Three Republican open seats have moved slightly toward Democrats according to the Cook Political Report. Two of those districts were expected to be easy Republican holds, while the other was thought to be a slum-dunk Democratic pickup.
In the District 6 seat being vacated by Ron DeSantis, the race has moved from “likely Republican” to “leans Republican.” Democratic nominee Nancy Soderberg still has her work cut out for her, but a large fundraising advantage has kept her close to GOP nominee Michael Waltz.
Once retiring Republican Rep. Dennis Ross announced he was leaving Washington, most thought District 15 would easily stay in the GOP column, but Kristen Carlson’s successful fundraising efforts have paid off. This race has moved from “Leans Republican” to “Toss Up,” putting Republican nominee Ross Spano in the position of needing a strong finish to close the sale.
Carlson released an internal poll showing the race tied.
District 27 has been there for the taking by Democrats following the retirement of veteran Republican Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen. A lackluster campaign by Democrat Donna Shalala and a strong effort from Republican Maria Salazar turned the seat into a tossup.
Aided by a recent poll showing Shalala with a 7-point lead, Cook has moved the contest back to “Leans Democratic.” A Salazar internal poll released this week showed her up by 9 points over Shalala.
On this day in the headlines
October 26, 1999 — Pat Buchanan, a Republican who wrote speeches for Richard Nixon and plotted strategy for Ronald Reagan, abandoned the GOP on Monday and announced his candidacy for the Reform Party’s presidential nomination. Buchanan told a gathering of 300 supporters “candor compels us to admit that our vaunted two-party system is a snare and a delusion.
In New York, businessman Donald Trump also jumped Monday from the GOP to the Reform Party, filing papers that changed his registration. During an appearance on NBC’s Meet the Press on Sunday, where he called Buchanan a “Hitler-lover,” Trump said he would decide on a presidential bid next year but made it clear he was inclined to run.
October 26, 2005 — With the clock running out on his investigation, special counsel Patrick Fitzgerald continued to seek information on White House Deputy Chief of Staff Karl Rove’s discussions with reporters in the days before CIA officer Valerie Plame Wilson’s identity was made public. Fitzgerald is considering whether to indict Rove or Lewis “Scooter” Libby, the chief of staff for Vice-President Dick Cheney, for their roles in Wilson’s unmasking.
The flurry of last-minute activity had White House officials anticipating an announcement as soon as today whether the prosecutor would seek indictments. Indictments of Libby or Rove, or both, would leave President George W. Bush with a political crisis with the potential to shape the remainder of his second term.
