Peter Schorsch
Gov. Ron DeSantis has an opportunity to redefine his first term in office and shore up his status as “America’s Governor” by now becoming, for Floridians, the “Recovery Governor.”
For now, the only “24” DeSantis needs to worry about are the next 24 days, not 2024.
Parts of Southwest Florida were hammered this week by a monster of a hurricane, both in size and strength. Hundreds of thousands of people are without power, many have lost homes or businesses, some are stranded.
At this moment of tragedy, no one is concerned about critical race theory or owning the libs; they’re worried about surviving and recovering. DeSantis can, and should, do everything in his power to shed the dreaded “DeathSantis” nickname and become the Recovery Governor we saw in Surfside — not the one we saw during the pandemic.
There are a lot of ways to do that.
DeSantis needs to all but live in Southwest Florida, in the heart of the worst damage. I’m not talking about dropping in just for news conferences; I’m talking about literally planting himself at ground zero to project strength to those who need it most and send the message that it is safe. One suggestion: open a temporary Emergency Operations Center in, say, Fort Myers from which he can run crucial relief efforts.
Further, he needs to call on President Joe Biden to come here, too, and insist the full force of federal resources be deployed to restore affected areas. He needs to ask Biden for the world, all while avoiding a Chris Christie-esque hug.
And while you’re at it Mr. Governor, now is not the time for trolling gimmicks and partisan stunts. There will be plenty of time for bussing migrants to “sanctuary cities.” That time is not now.
Likewise, messaging around recovery, which needs to occur in much of the state, even areas that avoided the worst of the storm, is essential for everyone. A person whose roof just blew off, or a business owner who can’t open because their shop is underwater doesn’t care about politics right now and they need information wherever they get it. That means spreading the love to all media, not just the networks deemed friendly.
Ron DeSantis needs to go on CNN. Go on MSNBC. Talk to the local newspaper and TV stations.
Don’t get defensive or prickly when asked tough questions about property insurance. It’s fair to note what has been done, but it’s also crucial to acknowledge the pain and strife that are, for some, exacerbating an already horrific scenario, and to assure everyone that leadership in this state is at the ready to ensure continued solutions.
Trial lawyers won’t like this, but pledge to eliminate one-way attorney fees, end assignments of benefits, and allow for actual cash values on roofs.
It’s also essential to make Citizens’ rates actuarially sound.
And while I’m no policymaker, I and so many others know there must be a way to create targeted tax breaks for investment so that we can (and apologies for borrowing from your nemesis here) build back better.
There’s plenty more, like appointing a recovery czar. Myriad people could carry that torch, including Casey DeSantis, who has proved time and again that she knows how to deploy compassion and deliver results.
There is also an opportunity to reach across the aisle and demonstrate, as was the case in the wake of the Surfside disaster, that partisanship doesn’t matter in crisis. Appoint a Democrat to serve alongside your recovery czar. It works. Look for the next Jared Moskowitz, the rare Democrat who found success working alongside some of the state’s staunchest Republicans to mitigate the pandemic. I bet he’d be happy to offer up some recommendations.
But the bottom line is, now is the time to take a page from your predecessor’s book and find your version of Rick Scott’s famous Navy ball cap — something that inspires confidence in the residents of this state and serves as a symbol that, when they see it, they know help is on the way, and their leaders are working around the clock for them.
Democrats don’t want to hear this, but when you shelve the vitriol during moments of crisis, you are only building your case to continue serving, whether in Tallahassee or the White House.
If you need to, take that as your next opportunity to stick it to the left.
32 comments
Impeach Biden
September 30, 2022 at 10:04 am
He’s doing a great job so far. A true leader and his wife is very sharp as well. Thank God Andrew Gillum is not our Governor..
Charlie Crist
September 30, 2022 at 11:06 am
He told people to shelter in place so many were killed. It will all come out in the wash. Also remember Corona debacle and recent human rights violations involving immigrants.
Paul Passarelli
September 30, 2022 at 12:26 pm
Enough with the fake aliases.
People were told to *EVACUATE* some chose not to.
People that were told to evacuate early that failed to heed the warnings were told to shelter in place, because if they ventured out and encountered the ‘raw fury of the storm’, they would probably have called 911 and expected to be ‘rescued’ following their stupidity.
It’s called freedom — It’s wonderful, you should try it.
But it’s not for the weak, it has consequences.
Charlie Crist
September 30, 2022 at 3:29 pm
Yeah freedom for the rich freedom t-shirts for everyone else. Good point Paul Pizza. At any rate, most people who stayed were Trump dumb-dumbs
..the people who you laugh at and grift to a husk so whatever.
Tjb
September 30, 2022 at 10:08 am
Will Ron DeSantis do anything meaningful regarding the property insurance crisis in Florida.
Modela
September 30, 2022 at 11:13 am
He’s had YEARS to address the insurance problem. This isn’t a new development. Anything he does now is a day late and a dollar short. Playing partisan politics and conjuring up ridiculous solutions to imaginary red-meat-to-his-base problems is his idea of governing, which is about as useful and mature as it was when his mentor did it.
Daniela Patterson
September 30, 2022 at 10:30 am
Waiting for the fall of DeSantis! He won”t handle this correctly! As a matter of fact he hasn’t handled much! He only appeals to the far right and the Religious nuts! Hasn’t done a thing for the People!
Hope
September 30, 2022 at 11:34 am
Politifact: False. 🤥
Paul Passarelli
September 30, 2022 at 12:31 pm
You wrote FIVE(5) incorrect sentences!
You used FIVE(5) exclamation points!
Are the male fake aliases not working? Are you pretending to be a woman or is this a subtext for your gender dysphoria fake insurance claim?
Go away troll.
Charlie Crist
September 30, 2022 at 3:32 pm
Actually Daniela is not one of my aliases so you’re assuming is now eroding your credibility… along with the Tea Party propaganda of course.
Paul Passarelli
September 30, 2022 at 5:49 pm
So should I just call you Peter from now on?
I don’t get it. What’s your game. You don’t seem to be monetizing any if this traffic.
No one, and my that even assholes as stupid as the average Democrat believes you are Charlie Crist. And I’m fairly certain you have turned off robots so sites like Google don’t pick up on the asinine things you write under those aliases.
So what is the point? Are you information gathering for the left, and using my posts for what is essentially counterespionage or oppo-research?
Apparently what I write is valuable because you seem to like to try to antagonize me on every thread I participate in.
Charlie Crist
September 30, 2022 at 8:30 pm
Me and Peter are two different people. See there you go again assuming and failing. Makes one wonder what else you are wrong about… perhaps more than a few of your immoral political opinions.
Tom
September 30, 2022 at 10:43 am
$2 billion provided to citizens to date.
More to follow as called for per Gov, and legislative future action. $22 billion in reserves.
The Gov. has designated Director Guthrie to be on site, it’s not realistic to think he would live day to day. He’s been on site, toured aerially, and not just pressers. He has residents in need
up north Peter, he has to balance all effect, needs.
As for POTUS, he can’t even remember that the member of Congress and sponsor of legislation died tragically with staff. Where’s Jacki, so sad.
Yes, POTUS can come, he can invite him, welcome and attend with him as needed. He did so at surf side. The mayor Cava, made it partisan at surf side, not the Gov.
He has done local interviews and communicated well. Lastly, The cheap shots are endless, he’s working well with all partners to date. It’s a miserable storm situation and very unfortunate.
Yes, it is incumbent upon him to bring it together, the reference to DeSatan is uncalled for. If anything Peter, the elites epidemic outline has been identified as failure. Gov. Ron stands on the high ground, he read the science and offered alternatives that worked.
America’s Gov. does not let the peeps down.
Tom
September 30, 2022 at 11:04 am
Tropical 3 ocean windcane…
Tom
September 30, 2022 at 11:09 am
You are pathetic corsin.
Thanks for continuing me as the legend.
I like the Gov wipe the floor with you tards.
Tom Dumbass
September 30, 2022 at 12:13 pm
Tropical 2 beach whirlwind…
Mo
September 30, 2022 at 11:23 am
America’s governor…who made that up? Christina Pushaw? Casey? Everyone knows they really pull the strings. He’s barely even Florida’s governor.
Tom
September 30, 2022 at 11:06 am
Peter, I’m sure FP will do a story on the 2 time illegal, who deliberately killed a Tampa police officer last week. Hired illegally too.
What bout his death and his family?
What does Charlie chameleon think?
The illegal invasion is dangerous to our country.
Everybody thinks it’s a great job to be Gov.
100 yr pandemic, with loss of life. And with cheap shots. Hurricanes and Surfside. Natural disasters. Loss of life. The challenges make the person. Gov Ron stands to the challenges.
God Bless him and family.
Modela
September 30, 2022 at 11:29 am
What does a two time illegal killing a cop have to do with Charlie Crist? Last I checked he’s not governor or the AG or in any position that could’ve prevented that. DeSantis is, though…happened on his watch.
Tom
September 30, 2022 at 12:02 pm
The Dems abs chameleon isn the illegal invasion. Biden, Jackie are you here? And Dunce VP, North Korea is our great strategic ally. You can’t make these two up.
Chameleon will make Florida a sanctuary state. The Dems have allowed the illegal invasion, chameleon too.
Spare me your idiocy. LMAO
Mo & Modela.
Of course he’s America’s Gov, your liberal tard bubble keeps you in hiding.
$2billion provided to citizens, more coming.
America’s Gov, the best!
Mo
September 30, 2022 at 12:07 pm
Can you ever have an exchange that doesn’t involve ad hominem attacks? It’s a sign of weakness, you know. Im sorry you feel so weak and powerless in the world, Tom. 😢 Please find a safe space to talk to good therapist.
Tom
September 30, 2022 at 1:11 pm
Mo nothing. You are Clueless.
Facts are funny things. Over 4 million illegals, your POTUS snd VPOTUs, have blood on the hands. The Tampa officer was purposefully killed by the illegal.
Spare me, no nothing, Joey degenerate and Modela the beer.
Your personal attacks fall short.
Legends don’t bend.
Charlie Crist
September 30, 2022 at 3:35 pm
Legendary dumbass 😆
Tom
September 30, 2022 at 6:20 pm
Hardly mo ( another fake alias), facts are funny things. I ensure with your own sides actions how ridiculous you all are.
Spare me your hurt feelings. Wah, Wah. You dum Dems hate accountability. Jackie are you here? Our great strategic ally North Korea.
Two morons. And you bastards ridicule Gov Ron. Kiss ass.
Hope
September 30, 2022 at 11:46 am
I don’t think America’s Governor needs any advice from Florida Politics. The governor has this!
I’m looking forward to the article on climate change and how it has de-evolved throughout the years because of unscientific theories. Don Lemon is the new self-proclaimed expert. All their theories are disproven and debunked thus earning the moniker of Sci-co-paths.
Pastor Sandell
September 30, 2022 at 11:52 am
You gonna burn in hell you lying hog
Hope
September 30, 2022 at 12:21 pm
Politifact: PolitiFact has deemed your comment a psychopathic rant.🚽
Paul Passarelli
September 30, 2022 at 12:33 pm
Well said.
Pastor Sandell
September 30, 2022 at 3:34 pm
Well said what? That Hope the Trump Dope is a hog? You greedy people gonna burn in screaming hell you azzhole 🍩🔥
Paul Passarelli
September 30, 2022 at 5:28 pm
You and your fake aliases disgust me.
Your side never has anything constructive to contribute so you, like the hurricane, bring nothing but destruction & chaos wherever you go.
Pastor Sandell
September 30, 2022 at 8:33 pm
Ashli Babbitt died on the cross for your sins. Shame on you terrible, socially irresponsible, greedy people. Tea Party fake patriots will burn in hell.
Michael Paris
October 1, 2022 at 8:31 am
He is doing a fantastic job. Schorch, you are grifter who should have gone to jail on pay for play scheme. You have no idea about emergency response and the respective roles everyone plays. He is doing exactly what he should be doing, while our idiot and hateful president plays politics like you do.
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