| | | | |  | | By Gary Fineout | Hello and welcome to Tuesday. Here we go — It looked, and seemed, like a presidential campaign kickoff. On the run — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis — with the help of a newly created nonprofit group (more on that down below) — on Monday sprinted through New York City as well as the suburbs in Philadelphia and Chicago to deliver familiar messages about his agenda, especially when it comes to law enforcement. (And he drew protests and criticism as well as wall-to-wall media attention.) Nothing to see here? — Oh, and there was also time for a lengthy 9-minute segment on "Fox & Friends" where the governor sidestepped questions again about when he plans to make his run for the White House official. "Wouldn't you guys like to have that announcement on Fox and Friends?” DeSantis quipped at one point. For the record — Let’s contrast that to former President Donald Trump’s event held in West Palm Beach Monday evening, where he criticized Fox News and said “they are not on board with us” and compared the media attention paid to his potential rivals as akin to the 2016 Republican primary that he won. Trump also tweaked DeSantis a little, including insisting that any state with a Republican governor — “that includes Florida” — should get rid of early voting and mail-in voting and instead have “one day voting.” Timing — DeSantis, during his remarks in the safe space of Fox, diverted questions (sort of) about a potential timeline to point out he has a book tour and the upcoming legislative session to deal with in the next few weeks. (That keeps an announcement to sometime in May or a little later.) Not mentioned — A retreat with donors and policy makers this weekend in Palm Beach, then stops in Texas, California and Alabama at the start of March. There could be legal and logistical reasons for not officially launching a presidential campaign until May and June, but the marathon for 2024 has started for real. — WHERE'S RON? — Nothing official for Gov. Ron DeSantis. Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for Playbook? Get in touch: gfineout@politico.com
| | | | JOIN POLITICO ON 3/1 TO DISCUSS AMERICAN PRIVACY LAWS: Americans have fewer privacy rights than Europeans, and companies continue to face a minefield of competing state and foreign legislation. There is strong bipartisan support for a federal privacy bill, but it has yet to materialize. Join POLITICO on 3/1 to discuss what it will take to get a federal privacy law on the books, potential designs for how this type of legislation could protect consumers and innovators, and more. REGISTER HERE. | | | | | |  | DESANTISLAND | | THE BUILD — A new nonprofit group is helping DeSantis go national, by POLITICO’s Alex Isenstadt: A newly launched nonprofit group is supporting Ron DeSantis’ national political activity — a major sign of the growing political apparatus around the Florida governor as he moves toward a 2024 presidential bid. The nonprofit organization, called “And to the Republic,” hosted three events DeSantis held Monday in New York, Chicago and Philadelphia, where he spoke before law enforcement officers. A person familiar with the group said it was “proud to help host the events today featuring Governor Ron DeSantis that put a spotlight on those state policies that are working and those that are clearly not working.” | 
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis takes questions after announcing a proposal for a Digital Bill of Rights, Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023, in West Palm Beach, Fla. | Wilfredo Lee/AP Photo |
REACTION — DeSantis downplays Russia threat after Biden visit, by POLITICO’s Olivia Olander: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, responding to the surprise news that President Joe Biden had arrived in Kyiv, downplayed Russia’s military threat to greater Europe on Monday as “third-rate” and criticized the administration’s aid to Ukraine as a “blank-check policy.” “The fear of Russia going into NATO countries and all that and steamrolling, you know, that has not even come close to happening,” the Republican governor said on Fox’s “Fox & Friends,” appearing from New York. “I think they’ve shown themselves to be a third-rate military power.”
CLOSE-UP — “DeSantis: People don’t want ‘agenda being shoved down their throats,’” by New York Post’s Salena Zito: “And he is thinking about a national agenda, especially the idea of moving federal government departments outside of Washington, DC, to help drain the swamp. ‘Too much power has accumulated in DC and the result is a detached administrative state that rules over us and imposes its will on us,’ [Gov. Ron] DeSantis said. ‘While there are a host of things that need to be done to re-constitutionalize government, parceling out federal agencies to other parts of the country could help reduce the negative effects of this accumulation of power.’” — “Trump rages against New York Post after DeSantis profile,” by The Hill’s Dominick Mastrangelo THE WAITING — “GOP impatience grows for DeSantis to make move on Trump,” by The Hill’s Alexander Bolton: “There are also concerns that the longer the governor waits, the bigger the GOP primary field will grow, which is seen as helpful to Trump, who maintains rock-solid support among 25 percent to 30 percent of Republican voters. ‘I suspect he is going to run. I’ve been told that he’s very focused right now — the Florida legislature is in session — he’s very focused on Florida issues,’ Sen. Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.) said of DeSantis, whom she called ‘the leader of the Republican Party’ after he won an impressive reelection victory in November.” — “DeSantis visits New York on tour meant to show he is tough on crime,” by The New York Times’ Emma G. Fitzsimmons — “Ron DeSantis’ use of government power to implement agenda worries some conservatives,” by CNN’s Steve Contorno, Jeff Zeleny and Fredreka Schouten — “DeSantis’ surgeon general and health department draw fire for amplying vaccine doubts,” by Miami Herald’s Camellia Burris — “DeSantis’ attack on schools borrows from conservative think tanks,” by Orlando Sentinel’s Jeffrey Schweers | | CAMPAIGN MODE | | SCOTT’S 67-COUNTY STRATEGY — Sen. Rick Scott will kick off the start of a tour this week where he plans to visit all 67 Florida counties between now and the November 2024 election seeking a second term. Scott will host roundtables in Miami on Wednesday and Tampa on Thursday. He is also scheduled to deliver remarks in Jacksonville on Friday. In a statement to POLITICO, Scott said he looked forward to “talking to Floridians about how I can continue to advocate for them in Washington.” The Republican also blasted President Joe Biden and Democrats for “endangering Florida’s future with their reckless spending, open borders, and woke socialist policies. If we continue down this path, the future of Florida and the country will be filled with high prices and woke socialism.” Scott currently has no serious opposition for his 2024 reelection. FRIED V. TADDEO — With just days left before Democrats choose a new leader for the Florida Democratic Party, two candidates keep trying to line up support for their bids. Former Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried announced on Monday she has lined up backing from the leaders of several Democratic caucus groups, including the president of the Democratic Black Caucus of Florida and the president of the Democratic Environmental Caucus of Florida. Former state Sen. Annette Taddeo said she has picked up the backing of the three top Democratic officials from Leon County and the president of the Veterans Caucus. Both women are trying to secure the majority of more than 1,110 votes needed to win the position that had been held by Manny Diaz until he abruptly resigned in January. The party uses a complicated weighted voting system — a source of controversy among Democrats — where the more than 200 members of the Democratic Executive Committee get a different amount of votes based on several factors. One unofficial spreadsheet maintained by a former Florida Democratic Party official has 384 votes pledged to Fried, 247 for Taddeo and 38 for other candidates in the race. There are still voting members of the state executive committee who have not publicly announced who they are supporting. WHAT’S IN YOUR WALLET? — Republican 2024 rivals go shopping for big donors, by POLITICO’s Alex Isenstadt: Former President Donald Trump will gather some of his top donors at his Mar-a-Lago estate in South Florida Thursday evening for his super PAC’s first fundraiser — an event that organizers are billing as an intimate candlelight dinner. Four miles down South Ocean Boulevard and a day later, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, Trump’s lead potential rival for the Republican nomination, will host his own contributors for a three-day-long retreat at the Four Seasons Resort Palm Beach. ON BOARD — ‘Florida win for Trump’: New Florida GOP chair concerns some DeSantis backers,” by POLITICO’s Matt Dixon: Florida Republicans on Saturday picked a political consultant with ties to former President Donald Trump advisers to lead the state party heading into the 2024 presidential cycle — a move that some supporters of Gov. Ron DeSantis fear is a “giant Florida win for Trump.” Christian Ziegler defeated Evan Power 126-100 in the election to chair the Republican Party of Florida. Ziegler previously was the party’s vice chair, while Power served as the statewide GOP chair of chairs and as the leader of the Leon County Republican Party. — “Dave Weldon files for open state House seat,” by Florida Politics’ Jacob Ogles | | ... DATELINE TALLAHASSEE ... | |
GOING TO JUDGE — DeSantis, pointing to newly passed law, wants judge to toss migrant lawsuit, by POLITICO’s Gary Fineout: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is asking a judge to throw out a lawsuit challenging his controversial migrant relocation program, citing a new law the Republican-controlled Legislature approved. Lawyers for the governor late Friday filed a motion that says state Sen. Jason Pizzo’s lawsuit challenging the program in circuit court is now moot. … The motion filed by lawyers for the governor states that by “repealing” the budget provision, “the Legislature effectively gave plaintiff precisely what he requested. It eliminated the challenged appropriation, which allegedly amended substantive law, thereby ensuring it cannot be used to transfer unauthorized aliens.”
MOVING FORWARD — Florida Senate panel advances permit-less carry bill, by POLITICO’s Matt Dixon: There’s continuing pressure from the political right on Republican majorities to go even further by passing open carry legislation, which would allow people to openly carry a firearm rather than keep it concealed. The bill lawmakers are currently weighing does not address open carry. “We are insulted by this bill,” said Bob White, who was speaking on behalf of the Republican Liberty Caucus of Florida, which has advocated for open carry. — “Florida home schoolers want no part in voucher expansion bill,” by Tampa Bay Times’ Jeffrey S. Solochek — “Florida Republican, following DeSantis’ lead: Make it easier to sue media outlets,” by Tampa Bay Times’ Kirby Wilson — “U.S. Supreme Court asked to block Florida execution of Donald Dillbeck,” by News Service of Florida Jim Saunders — “Florida bills target ‘political loyalty tests’ in college diversity efforts,” by Tampa Bay Times’ Divya Kumar — “Lobbying compensation: Ballard Partners is top earning firm for 2022, narrowly besting The Southern Group,” by Florida Politics’ Drew Wilson
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BALANCING ACT — “Trump’s White House accomplishments aren’t so easy to sell on the campaign trail,” by POLITICO’s Meridith McGraw: Donald Trump faces a dilemma just months into his third run for president: Two of his most important achievements from the White House have become politically complicated or just plain too hot to touch. Operation Warp Speed, the public-private partnership that developed a coronavirus vaccine in record time and which Trump once called a “miracle,” has become vilified among a group of conservatives. And the toppling of Roe v. Wade by Trump-appointed Supreme Court justices has turned into a political Rorschach test for Republicans, with one camp seeing it as a boost at the ballot box and the other fearing it is a hindrance.
— “Inside the collapse of the Trump-DeSantis ‘alliance of convenience,’” by Washington Post’s Isaac Arnsdorf, Josh Dawsey and Hannah Knowles — Trump: I won’t call DeSantis ‘Meatball Ron,’ by POLITICO’s Kierra Frazier — “In Presidents Day speech, Trump aims at two prominent Florida Republicans,” by Palm Beach Post’s Stephany Matat | | DATELINE D.C. | |
A CHANGE — “Rick Scott drops social security from plan as G.O.P. retreats from entitlement cuts,” by The New York Times’ Carl Hulse: “The capitulation by [Sen Rick] Scott, who on Friday relented and explicitly walled off Social Security and Medicare from his proposal to terminate all federal programs every five years and subject them to congressional review, was the latest evidence that Republicans would be looking elsewhere for savings in a coming showdown with the White House and congressional Democrats.”
— “Ex-General blasts Matt Gaetz over Ukraine fatigue bill: ‘Disgusted,’” by Newsweek’s Thomas Kika — “Eagles Act, named for Stoneman Douglas, aims to thwart shootings in schools, workplaces, houses of worship,” by South Florida Sun-Sentinel’s Anthony Man — “U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds retries bipartisan bill on harmful algal blooms,” by Fort Myers News-Press’ Amy Bennett Williams | | PENINSULA AND BEYOND | |
TERMINATED — “Substitute Duval teacher behind viral video showing empty bookshelves in middle school library fired,” by First Coast News: “Brian Covey, a substitute teacher at Mandarin Middle School, posted a video on Jan. 27 showing rows of empty bookshelves in the school's library. The jarring video quickly went viral and now has over 13 million views, it made national headlines and was even fodder on a late night talk show. On Tuesday, First Coast News asked Gov. Ron DeSantis about Covey's video, to which DeSantis replied, ‘That's a fake narrative.’ On Wednesday, nearly three weeks after the video was posted, Covey said he was fired.”
— “People are dying from fake weed, just as the push is on in Florida to legalize recreational marijuana,” by South Florida Sun-Sentinel’s Cindy Krischer Goodman — “State plans to take over child protective duties in Tampa Bay counties,” by Tampa Bay Times’ Dan Sullivan — “Head of veterans charity pleads guilty to buying vintage Jaguar, Rolex watch with PPP funds,” by Florida Times-Union’s Steve Patterson — “Former Palm Beach Post veteran journalists form new media venture,” by Florida Politics’ Anne Geggis | | ODDS, ENDS AND FLORIDA MEN | | — “FAU provost apologizes for comments about ‘sex with animals’ in DEI discussion,” by Palm Beach Post’ Giuseppe Sabella: “Florida Atlantic University treats everyone the same, regardless of whether they’re ‘purple’ or if they have ‘sex with animals,’ a top university leader said before backtracking and apologizing at a recent public meeting. FAU’s interim provost, Michele Hawkins, made the bizarre comments during a Faculty Senate meeting in late January. She was trying to ease concerns that FAU may have accidentally targeted certain employees for their involvement in diversity, equity and inclusion programs, which are often referred to as ‘DEI.’” BIRTHDAYS: State Sen. Jay Trumbull … former state Rep. Katie Edwards-Walpole | | | | Follow us on Twitter | | | | Subscribe to the POLITICO Playbook family Playbook | Playbook PM | California Playbook | Florida Playbook | Illinois Playbook | Massachusetts Playbook | New Jersey Playbook | New York Playbook | Ottawa Playbook | Brussels Playbook | London Playbook View all our political and policy newsletters | | Follow us | | | | |
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