Renzo Downey
Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried is hoping to be a vector for President Joe Biden in Florida after Gov. Ron DeSantis assailed the President’s efforts to stop the record-setting wave of COVID-19.
Fried, who is running in the Democratic Primary to challenge DeSantis in 2022, waded into DeSantis’ sparring with Biden this week, calling it an insult to the President and Floridians who have made sacrifices to curb the pandemic. In a move that leverages the power of her office as she trails in the Primary behind U.S. Rep. Charlie Crist, she asked the President to sidestep DeSantis with federal resources Thursday. Moreover, she said she was willing to be Biden’s “conduit” if necessary.
“People are dying, our state is drowning, and instead of grabbing hold of an outstretched hand trying to help, he slaps it away,” Fried said during a Thursday press conference at her office. “Because of politics? Due to pride? Well, Mr. President, I’m not too proud to admit what the Governor won’t. We need help here in the state of Florida.”
After Biden told DeSantis to “get out of the way” of local governments trying to combat the virus on Tuesday, DeSantis responded Wednesday, telling the President that he was “standing in your way” and “I don’t want to hear a blip about COVID from you.”
Biden and his administration’s admonishment of the Governor and other Republican governors taking a hardline approach to the pandemic against mandates and shutdowns made a splash Tuesday. But it opened the door for DeSantis to unload on the President in a possible preview of the 2024 presidential race.
Still, Fried denied that it was a political blunder for the President to engage with a Governor and rising Republican star who routinely scores points among conservatives for attacking Biden, liberals, lockdowns and mandates. DeSantis spews misinformation and flirts with anti-vaxxers and anti-maskers instead of taking ownership of the pandemic, Fried said.
“I don’t know if it’s pride, I don’t know if it’s 2024 that’s in his eyesight, but he’s not doing right by the state,” Fried said. “It is in the right interest of the President to stand up and say, ‘look, if you’re not going to do your job, let somebody else do it.'”
9 comments
Andrew Finn
August 5, 2021 at 11:17 am
You are on the right track Nikki. There has got to be something that President Biden can do to get around the Emperor DeSantis and his death wish for Florida. If you can help him do it – please do so, and as fast as you both can.
Tom
August 5, 2021 at 12:47 pm
Ok. Fraud truly is unstable.
Let’s get this straight. Flip flopper fraud said in past days she does not support lockdowns. DeSantis position, win. Fraud also said she’s against masks being mandated. Ok, another win for Govs position. I have no idea what she is saying or doing besides FP being her website. Disgraceful.
Ed
August 5, 2021 at 1:52 pm
Nikki trying to lead an insurrection against our Governor. Lock that crazy woman up.
Matthew Lusk
August 5, 2021 at 2:35 pm
Nikki, tell us your personal point of view on ADULTERY!
KP
August 5, 2021 at 3:02 pm
Literally has NOTHING to do with the pandemic and the fact that this idiotic governor is killing Floridians, you fool. Shoo!
Tom
August 5, 2021 at 4:35 pm
Liar & moron, u win!
Them Numbers is Hard?
August 5, 2021 at 2:57 pm
Hey Nikki!
Where’s that 2020 financial disclosure?
tjb
August 6, 2021 at 10:26 am
They are hidden in Trumps tax returns,
Robert
August 6, 2021 at 5:03 pm
lol at least mention the rest of the governors response. He said he is standing in the way of a federal government mandate for parent’s decision weather or not kids should wear masks during school. He also mentioned that Biden should take control of the southern border crisis where so many people are coming in unvaccinated before he judges Desantis and florida. Then the governor went to say “I don’t want to hear a blip about COVID from you.”
This is why people don’t trust the media anymore because of people like you taking out key details and trying to push a narrative.
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