DeSantis may be pivoting to the mainstream media

Jun 27, 2023

Hello and welcome to Tuesday.

This moment in time — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who rolled out his campaign platform on immigration near the Texas border, took a few minutes on Monday to answer questions about his standing in the presidential race versus former President Donald Trump. A recent NBC News poll had shown him losing ground to Trump since April.

Rationale — DeSantis responded by telling NBC News that if “you look at the swing states” President Joe Biden is ahead of Trump in them, but that “I beat Biden handily in the swing states — that’s ultimately the election right there.” DeSantis also said that the GOP nominee has to win swing states and that “if you don’t have a path to do that, then nominating doesn’t make sense.”

The race ahead — DeSantis then added: "I’ve grown to think at the end of the day, you know, this is a marathon, not a sprint. We’re doing everything we need to do in these early states."

Noteworthy — While these remarks encapsulate the thinking of DeSantis and his campaign right now, there’s another reason to place a marker here — he made them by giving a “legacy media” outlet an on-camera interview. This just comes just a few days after he called on a CNN reporter during a town hall in South Carolina. And it does come after his campaign has gotten a bit more responsive to mainstream outlets.

Context — DeSantis and his team, both in the governor’s office and during his reelection, made a regular occurrence out of sidestepping mainstream outlets and instead only granting interviews to conservative (read: friendly) media and conservative influencers. His team would routinely release newsworthy items to conservative outlets before distributing them more widely.

The approach — The governor has occasionally held press conferences — usually around the state and outside of Tallahassee — where he took questions from mainstream outlets, but those were infrequent and usually short. The justification was that mainstream outlets were “activists” and that conservatives should bypass them all together.

Be hit and hit back — One could argue, however, this kept DeSantis from answering tough questions and getting prepared for what he’s up against now. He’s in a campaign environment now where his main competitor — Trump — has no problems interacting with mainstream media even if Trump derides them during his speeches and his social media posts. DeSantis may need some mainstream media attention as he tries to climb back into the race against Trump.

— WHERE'S RON? — Gov. DeSantis is scheduled to hold a town hall for his presidential campaign in Hollis, N.H.

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DESANTISLAND

THE AGENDA — DeSantis takes aim at Trump on immigration, by POLITICO’s Sally Goldenberg: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis moved on Monday to undercut Donald Trump on immigration, casting the former president as ineffectual on the issue that helped propel him to the White House in 2016. He depicted President Joe Biden as even worse.

Some highlights — DeSantis called for an end to “catch and release” — a practice of discharging undocumented migrants into their American homes while they await court hearings. He called for asylum seekers along the U.S.-Mexico border to be blocked entry while their claims are processed. And he said, as Trump has previously, that children born in the United States to parents living here illegally should no longer be granted citizenship, a proposal that stands to face significant legal challenges.

Other coverage — “Ron DeSantis says he’ll end birthright citizenship as president,” by Miami Herald’s Max Greenwood and Ana Ceballos; “DeSantis proposes ‘deadly force’ to combat drug smugglers breaching border,” by The Washington Post’s Dylan Wells and Hannah Knowles; “DeSantis unveils an aggressive immigration and border security policy that largely mirrors Trump’s,” by Associated Press’ Valerie Gonzalez and Steve Peoples

Republican presidential candidate Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks at a town hall meeting in Eagle Pass, Texas.

Republican presidential candidate Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks at a town hall meeting in Eagle Pass, Texas, Monday, June 26. | Eric Gay/AP Photo

— “Can DeSantis break Trump’s hold on New Hampshire?” by The New York Times’ Jonathan Swan, Maggie Haberman and Shane Goldmacher

— “‘In the footsteps of the radical left’: Pence attacks DeSantis for Disney feud,” by USA Today Network-Florida’s Douglas Soule

— “How DeSantis is trying to overcome challenging terrain in New Hampshire,” by NBC News’ Natasha Korecki, Henry J. Gomez and Ben Kamisar

— “Poll: 3 out of 4 Jewish voters disapprove of Ron DeSantis,” by Florida Politics’ A.G. Gancarski

— “Ron DeSantis doubles down on restoration of ‘iconic’ Fort Bragg name,” by Florida Politics’ A.G. Gancarski

TRUMPLANDIA AND THE SWAMP

AS THE PAGES TURN — “CNN obtains the tape of Trump’s 2021 conversation about classified documents,” by CNN’s Jeremy Herb: “The recording, which first aired on CNN’s 'Anderson Cooper 360,' includes new details from the conversation that is a critical piece of evidence in special counsel Jack Smith’s indictment of Trump over the mishandling of classified information, including a moment when Trump seems to indicate he was holding a secret Pentagon document with plans to attack Iran. ‘These are the papers,’ Trump says in the audio recording, while he’s discussing the Pentagon attack plans, a quote that was not included in the indictment.”

MOVING AHEAD — “Justice Dept. asking about 2020 fraud claims as well as fake electors,” by The Washington Post’s Josh Dawsey and Devlin Barrett: “The Justice Department’s investigation of efforts by Donald Trump and his advisers to overturn the 2020 election results is barreling forward on multiple tracks, according to people familiar with the matter, with prosecutors focused on ads and fundraising pitches claiming election fraud as well as plans for 'fake electors' that would swing the election to the incumbent president.”

MEANWHILE — “Judge denies request to seal witness list in Trump documents case,” by The New York Times’ Alan Feuer: “The federal judge overseeing former President Donald J. Trump’s prosecution on charges of illegally holding on to sensitive national security documents denied on Monday the government’s request to keep secret a list of witnesses with whom Mr. Trump has been barred from discussing his case. The ruling by Judge Aileen M. Cannon, in the Southern District of Florida, means that some or all of the list of 84 witnesses could at some point become public, offering further details about the shape and scope of the case that the special counsel Jack Smith has brought against Mr. Trump.”

— “Full Sail student who hit cop with skateboard during Capitol riot gets 3 years in prison,” by Orlando Sentinel’s Jeff Weiner

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... DATELINE TALLAHASSEE ...

MOUSE TRAP — Florida strikes back at Disney in federal court, by POLITICO’s Gary Fineout: In a 27-page legal filing, state Attorney General Ashley Moody and her lawyers called on U.S. District Court Judge Allen Winsor — an appointee of former President Donald Trump — to reject what they called a “meritless” lawsuit for multiple reasons. The state’s lawyers said Disney turned to the courts after a “last ditch power grab” by Disney to lock in certain control over the special district was “foiled under state law” and was rejected by the board put in place by the Republican governor and now presidential candidate.

WALKER SIDES WITH FLA — Judge denies attempt to block Florida’s ‘paycheck protection’ union law, by POLITICO’s Andrew Atterbury: A federal judge on Monday denied an attempt by Florida unions representing K-12 teachers and university faculty to block a new state law that is set to impose restrictions on labor groups starting next week. While the legal challenge against the so-called paycheck protections remains on, the ruling from Chief U.S. District Judge Mark Walker deals a blow to teachers unions who sued the DeSantis administration claiming that the policies, which are being pushed by conservatives in several states, unfairly target organizations that have criticized the Republican governor.

VETO TIME — Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday evening signed six bills into law and vetoed one measure dealing with consumer finance laws that had been sponsored by Republican State Sen. Joe Gruters and former State Rep. Juan Fernandez-Barquin. DeSantis said he vetoed the bill (HB 1267) because it would have allowed lenders to increase interest rates on certain loans. “This increase in rates may result in additional consumer indebtedness and could exacerbate the pinch already being felt due to federal government-induced inflation,” DeSantis wrote in his veto message. He said the increase in the interest rate “outweighs the bill’s remaining provisions.” Just noting — Gruters endorsed former President Donald Trump over DeSantis and recently complained about DeSantis’ budget vetoes.

BY THE NUMBERS — DeSantis has just 27 bills from the 2023 legislative session left to act on and he is expected to render his final bill signatures and/or vetoes in the next few days.

— DeSantis signs bill that critics say could lead to higher water rates, by POLITICO’s Bruce Ritchie

— “State economists hash out marijuana legalization impacts,” by Florida Politics’ A.G. Gancarski

— “Florida’s new laws on carrying guns, paying for school and more go into effect July 1,” by News Service of Florida’s Jim Turner

— “Gov. DeSantis signs law issuing marijuana licenses to Black farmers, allowing telehealth prescription renewals,” by Florida Politics’ Jacob Ogles

CAMPAIGN MODE

ENDORSEMENT TIME — The Florida Police Benevolent Association, a major union representing law enforcement officers in the state, announced on Monday that it was endorsing Gov. Ron DeSantis for president. The group had backed President Donald Trump in the 2020 election after not endorsing any candidate during the previous eight years. The Florida PBA, which routinely lobbies the Florida Legislature and the governor, has regularly backed Republican candidates for governor. … 60 Plus American Association of Senior Citizens is endorsing Sen. Rick Scott for reelection, and in a video message touting support for Scott, he is praised for wanting to protect Medicare and “work on” social security. Scott said that “protecting” both is a “big deal.” Scott came under fire in 2022 after he released a plan that discussed terminating all federal programs every five years and subjecting them to congressional review. He later made it clear that his plan would not explicitly not include social security and Medicare.

Transitions

JOINING BALLARD — Jenny Busby, former head of government affairs for transportation policy at Siemens, is joining Ballard Partners in its Jacksonville and Washington D.C. offices. “We are delighted to have Jenny join our firm in Jacksonville and Washington,” said Brian Ballard, the firm’s president and founder. “Her extensive experience in Congress and Jacksonville city government will be especially valuable to our firm and its clients in both offices.” Before working for Siemens Busby worked in the public policy and regulation group for Holland & Knight’s D.C. office. Busby has worked in Jacksonville city government as a legislative assistant to former Rep. Al Lawson, director of operations for Gwen Graham’s gubernatorial campaign and assistant to then-Florida Democratic Party chair Allison Tant.

PENINSULA AND BEYOND

WATCH THIS SPACE — “Jeffrey Epstein: Judge receives 2006 grand jury materials in Palm Beach Post lawsuit,” by Palm Beach Post’s Holly Baltz: “The very first prosecutor to consider criminal charges against Jeffrey Epstein, arguably the world's most prolific sexual predator with an estimated 500 victims, mysteriously weakened his own case before a 2006 grand jury, a 2019 Palm Beach Post investigation found, and now the public and victims may be on the verge of finding out why Epstein was able to molest, rape and traffic underage girls for 13 more years.”

— “Conditions at Guantánamo are cruel and inhuman, U.N. investigation finds,” by The New York Times’ Carol Rosenberg

— “Winter Park couple drop suit against OceanGate CEO who died in Titan sub,” by Orlando Sentinel’s Silas Morgan

ODDS, ENDS AND FLORIDA MEN

— “Dunedin man fired 30 AR-15 rounds at pool cleaner he thought was intruder, sheriff says,” by Tampa Bay Times’ Emma Uber: “A Dunedin man will not face charges after he fired 30 rounds from his AR-15 rifle at his pool cleaner whom he mistook for an intruder earlier this month, Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri announced on Monday. Jana and Bradley Hocevar were watching a movie at their home at about 9 p.m. on June 15 when Jana Hocevar heard noise coming from their lanai, Gualtieri said at a news conference Monday morning. Jana Hocevar, 43, said she saw an unfamiliar man within feet of the sliding glass doors and called 911.”

BIRTHDAYS: State Sen. Lori Berman … former Rep. Jeff Miller … Simone Marstiller of Gunster … Pat Roberts, president and CEO of Florida Association of Broadcasters.