Danny McAuliffe
A family member of one of the victims killed during the Parkland school shooting is acting as Ron DeSantis‘ latest surrogate, as the Republican gubernatorial candidate attempts to discredit his opponent’s relationship with police in the days leading up to the election.
Andrew Pollack, whose daughter Meadow was killed during the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting that left 17 dead in February, is featured in a new robocall paid for by DeSantis.
In the 45-second spot, Andrew Pollack suggests a DeSantis victory will “ensure that no parent loses their child in a school shooting again.”
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Andrew Gillum, on the other hand, is “now saying that he will defund the police, and keep them out of our schools,” Andrew Pollack says.
“That’s wrong and it’s dangerous,” continues Andrew Pollack, who introduces the call by noting his relationship to Meadow Pollack. “And it puts our kids at risk.”
Near the end, the Parkland father makes his case even clearer: “Don’t vote for Andrew Gillum, he’s dangerous for Florida.”
Gillum’s relationship with police and crime has become a focal point for attacks from DeSantis’ campaign. In the first debate between the two candidates, DeSantis accused Gillum of signing a pledge containing a “radical manifesto.”
The organization behind the pledge, Dream Defenders, says “the police and prisons have no place in justice and that law enforcement should be defunded and the money diverted for welfare programs,” DeSantis charged during the Sunday evening CNN debate.
The pledge signed by Gillum, however, was a promise to not accept money from the National Rifle Association, and return any donations to date. It was also a promise to not accept donations from private prison corporations.
But included in the signed pledge is a promise to support the “Freedom Papers,” which contains a much more radical series of promises.
And that stipulation has provided fodder for DeSantis. It’s what’s led Pollack to claim that Gillum “will defund the police, and keep them out of our schools.” It was also used by Florida Police Benevolent Association President John Kazanjian during another robocall attacking Gillum.
During a Wednesday night debate, DeSantis again brought up the pledge. But Gillum maintained that the pledge was only a rejection of private prison money.
Following the tragic Valentine’s Day shooting, Andrew Pollack was one of many to wade into political activism. He was an early supporter of Gov. Rick Scott‘s senatorial bid and starred in an ad released by Scott’s campaign earlier this month.
Gillum, who has also been criticized for the crime rate in Tallahassee, where he presides as Mayor, has been endorsed by at least five Florida sheriffs.
You can hear the robocall here.
—
Background provided by Florida Politics correspondent Jacob Ogles.
26 comments
Ray Tampa
October 25, 2018 at 7:32 am
Mr. Pollack suggests that DeSantis’ victory will “ensure that no parent loses a child in a school shooting again.” This statement, in my opinion, is so disrespectful to the other parents who suffered such tragic loses at Douglas High School. How can DeSantis, or anyone for that matter, (ensure) anything.
People may feel that what happened in Parkland deserves the best in people of good intentions and not the political posturing of a few.
Al
October 25, 2018 at 4:57 pm
Totally agree. Mr. Pollack is now getting paid by joining and supporting a political party. what a shame…
Nick Caisse
October 26, 2018 at 2:13 am
No, he’s not being paid by any political party, but then what exactly, do you actually know about any of this? Everything he said is true, and you have no idea how to protect the children in schools
Al
October 26, 2018 at 8:08 am
Well, to educate you about commercials… When you make one and every time it airs, you get paid. Now you know.
Nick
October 26, 2018 at 7:19 pm
Al, as usual, you’re as wrong as two boys getting it on! The Charity might get paid, be he isn’t. It wouldn’t matter anyway, because he is only reiterating the absolute documented truth about the Golem. What has done for Tallahassee, can be posted in one word; NOTHING. Well wait a minute, he did in fact raise something by 25%…..the CRIME RATE in Tallahassee! Now the things he’s done TO Tallahassee, is a long and despicable list, which he was supposed to address, and make better, not exacerbate! On the positive side, he has positively destroyed Tallahassee’s hope for the future generations. Do you really want this turd molder as the Governor of Florida, along with his “Buddy” Chris Kink? Use some sense!
Les Nessman
October 30, 2018 at 4:37 pm
not on political (spent 15 years doing TV and video production)
paul zecchino
October 25, 2018 at 8:15 pm
Gillum is an enemy of the police. He is a Marxist radical who believes that ‘police and prisons have no place in a just society.’
Who do you call when there’s trouble? The ACLU? CAIR? The Rockwell Institute of Oakland, CA, a communist indoctrination center which Gillum supports?
Maurix Salgado
October 28, 2018 at 12:20 am
El Sr Polack no le está faltando el respeto a nadie con su opinión personal, que puede estar equivocada o no, pero la hace en el ejercicio de su libertad de expresión y con el aval moral de una víctima, el negro quiere quitar la poca protección que hay en las escuelas de la Florida y el Sr. Polack no está de acurtdo con esa medida. Apoyo al padre ofendido, contra el comunista embaucador.
Doreen Campbell
October 30, 2018 at 11:12 pm
Eso, Senor Salgado, gracias. Yo lo apoyo tambien.
Doreen
October 30, 2018 at 11:26 pm
Like Maurix said: Mr. Pollack is not disrespecting anyone with his personal opinion, right or wrong – he does it in the exercise of his freedom of expression and with the moral view of a victim. The (candidate) wants to take away the little protection that Florida schools have and Mr. Polack is not in favor of that measure. I support the offended father, against the communist prevaricator.
This is a good comment and I wanted others to be able to understand it. Disculpe si hice algun error de traduccion Sr Salgado.
Tom Stein
October 25, 2018 at 3:26 pm
The only Sheriff’s that are supporting Gilliam are hard-core Democrats. They would vote for a yellow dog if it were the Democrat nominee. They put politics above their men, their state, and the people. Look at their voting records, you will find that they have never ever supported a Republican.
Tom Stein
October 25, 2018 at 3:28 pm
Gillum, unfortunately Google’s spell check still doesn’t recognize his name.
paul zecchino
October 25, 2018 at 8:17 pm
Thank you for stating the facts, Tom. Gillum has a few sheriffs, all demsheviks and one of them an Obama campaign worker, supporting him.
Mr. DeSantis was recently endorsed by the Broward Sheriffs, who said same as did Mr. Pollak: Gillum will be a disaster for Florida.
Simply put, Gillum will reduce Florida to Venezuela.
Doreen Campbell
October 30, 2018 at 11:14 pm
Absolutely, and we know about Venezuela enough that we Don’t Want that here… Only hardcore Dems with the mantra against armed Honest citizens, and for only bad guys and government having them, but then I repeat myself, as Mark Twain said
Ray Tampa
October 25, 2018 at 7:12 pm
I have made the following statement in response to other articles and it NEEDS to be said here: The sheriffs who stand on the side of or in the back of DeSantis are seriously compromising their personal and professional reputations. Besides, they are negatively impacting their departments.
Bear in mind, these same sheriffs STRONGLY supported Adam Putnam and didn’t think too much of DeSantis. Now, they want to pretend he is the best thing since sliced bread. Where is their integrity? Why would people TRUST them?
These pathetic sheriffs’ main talking point is – DeSantis has our back. Bulls—, DeSantis doesn’t even have his own back. He is too busy ‘wet kissing’ Trump’s azz to have anybody’s back.
paul zecchino
October 25, 2018 at 8:19 pm
Why is the Left unable to state simple facts to support its vague, shifting, toxic points?
Why does the Left always instead regress to emotional outbursts, pious moralistic scoldings, appeals to hollow authority, and vulgar character assassination?
Nick Caisse
October 26, 2018 at 3:11 am
Your obvious support for the socialist, is all that is needed to be known, to see that you are a disgruntled individual, who also can’t spell, nor construct a complete sentence. By what the Golem (Gillum) has done to Tallahassee, with his idea of leadership, (the Robin Hood Method) cannot produce anything other than what we see in his city, under siege by the violent, out of control thugs. Gillum’s message is pretty clear, also; If you work your ass off to better yourself, and your family, as Governor, I’ll take most of everything you own, and give it to all the freeloaders who support me. Don’t worry about the cops, because I’ll get rid of them, as they aren’t needed, in my kingdom. The only Sheriffs that I’ve seen supporting Gillum are the absolute true believers in more control over every aspect of your life; Gun Control, Free Speech Control, Thought Control, Politics over Protection. In other words, Democrats! You cannot bring prosperity to the people, by taking it away from those who prosper. Gillum is extremely proud of his Socialistic plans for this state, and is very enthusiastic about them, but what he fails miserably to understand, is that Socialism has never worked, anytime or anywhere, EVER! We won’t even mention his running mate, who has sore shoulders from patting himself on the back, and talked smack about Gillum, during the primaries. Working together, these two are absolutely dedicated to their agenda, which is the total destruction of everything that is Florida. Socialism cannot work in a free society! Just look at Tallahassee!
Alvaro Zuluaga
October 26, 2018 at 9:23 pm
Just white trash defending racists Trump and DeSantis.
Nick
October 27, 2018 at 3:49 am
Alvaro Zuluaga, Really? “Just white trash defending racists Trump and DeSantis”? Do you have the balls to call me those names to my face? You’d do well to direct your Racist insults to the king of racists, your last squatter in the White House. He set race relations back about 75 years, with his racist tirades, and inciting violent behavior, and attacks against whites, in general, and Law Enforcement Officers, in particular. So, Mr. Zuluaga, if you can bring forth any evidence against the two gentlemen you accuse of Racism, feel free to do so. However, on the other hand, if you cannot prove these accusations, I would suggest that you STFU, because words have consequences, good or bad! When your name was googled, it came back as a not so nice citizen of Columbia. There can be misconceptions for anyone, so be careful how you categorize others!
Doreen
October 30, 2018 at 11:17 pm
thank you Nick, well said
Doreen
October 30, 2018 at 11:20 pm
You really need to insult people, and call Others trash and racist after what you say? Seriously? wow
Donna
October 27, 2018 at 8:31 am
Mr Pollock it seems as if you are putting money and politics over your daughter’s death. There are other people who have been hurt stop playing politics
Doreen
October 30, 2018 at 11:19 pm
Oh, the Dems started that, using the kids from that tragedy as their pawns. Don’t even go there, Donna – total hypocrisy on that side and you know it well
Dennis
October 27, 2018 at 8:38 am
Why not have a link to the Freedom Papers so everyone can have a look ?
Bonita Silvas
November 3, 2018 at 12:40 pm
“”Andrew Pollack suggests a DeSantis victory will “ensure that no parent loses their child in a school shooting again.”””
And how many school shootings and mass shootings in other places have occurred since Parkland… Trump is in office, Scott is in office. They’ve stopped nothing. The shootings are still happening.
Nick Caisse
November 4, 2018 at 2:34 am
Bonita Silvas, your post indicates that in your opinion, School Shootings are the fault of the President, and current FL Gov. Rick Scott. Is that correct? Apparently, you have a better plan! Well, lets hear it, because there hasn’t been another school shooting in Fl, since Gov. Scott put his countermeasures in place. There have been several attempts that were thwarted by his response, to the Parkland tragedy.
Comments are closed.