| | | | |  | | By Gary Fineout | Hello and welcome to Wednesday. What’s the frequency Kenneth? — Ok, so Florida Sen. Rick Scott says he’s just running for reelection and not running for president. Yet the Republican managed to whip up a frenzy on Tuesday — probably generating a lot more buzz (yes, a lot of it negative) than Gov. Ron DeSantis did during his presidential campaign town hall in New Hampshire. Finest worksong — Scott dropped a 35-second “travel warning” video on social media where he urged socialists, communists and others who believe in “big government” to “think twice” about traveling or moving to the “free state of Florida.” (Yep, he filched a recurring DeSantis talking point.) Strange currencies — Scott’s video created a whirlwind and a lot of it was people ridiculing and criticizing the former two-term governor. By early Wednesday morning the video had been viewed 23.3 million times on Twitter and drew thousands and thousands of comments. Oh, and Scott’s team put out a fundraising email linked to it. Losing my religion — Scott’s performance drew a cascade of comments from liberals, Democrats and other critics who roasted him by mentioning Scott’s ouster as CEO of a major hospital chain due to a federal investigation for Medicare and Medicaid fraud (he was never charged), or marveling at the idea of Scott urging people to take their money away from Florida. Some pointed out, ahem, that international visitors may be coming from socialist-leaning countries in Europe. Shaking through — The message from Scott, of course, is meant to be a sarcastic response to travel advisories recently issued by groups such as the NAACP — which came as a reaction to legislation and policies pushed by DeSantis (not Scott) and the GOP-controlled Legislature. It’s just that Scott delivers his lines in the video straight without a hint of any sarcasm. Endgame — Scott’s campaign actually issued a press release a month ago that contained very similar points, but it didn’t draw as nearly much attention as this. And in the circular nature of the outrage media cycle, Scott got conservative media outlets talking about how he had angered liberals and Democrats — the coin of the realm. But remember, he’s not running for president. Hmm. — WHERE'S RON? — Gov. DeSantis is scheduled to appear on "The Story with Martha MacCallum" on Fox News. Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for Playbook? Get in touch: gfineout@politico.com
| | | | STEP INSIDE THE WEST WING: What's really happening in West Wing offices? Find out who's up, who's down, and who really has the president’s ear in our West Wing Playbook newsletter, the insider's guide to the Biden White House and Cabinet. For buzzy nuggets and details that you won't find anywhere else, subscribe today. | | | | | |  | CAMPAIGN MODE | | A BIG RULING — “Supreme Court crushes plan to scramble partisan map-making,” by POLITICO’s Zach Montellaro, Ally Mutnick and Madison Fernandez: The Supreme Court just turbo-charged the nationwide fight over gerrymandering. It is a rejection of the so-called independent state legislature theory, with the Supreme Court leaving a role for state courts to wade into the increasingly common battles over partisan gerrymandering. State courts have been immensely influential over congressional control over the last half-decade. The ruling ensures that state Supreme Courts will remain ultimate arbiters of partisan gerrymandering, and that they can rein in legislatures looking to use redistricting to eviscerate a minority party. — “Florida groups challenging DeSantis congressional map hail 2nd favorable court ruling,” by USA Today Network-Florida’s John Kennedy SPLIT SCREEN — “Rivalry between Trump and DeSantis deepens with dueling New Hampshire campaign events,” by Associated Press’ Michelle L. Price, Holly Ramer and Will Weissert: “Addressing a town hall in Hollis, DeSantis vowed to ‘actually’ build the U.S.-Mexico border wall that Trump tried but failed to complete as president. He also pledged to tear down Washington’s traditional power centers in ways that Trump fell short. Speaking later at a Republican women’s luncheon in Concord, Trump countered that DeSantis was being forced to settle for second place in the primary and accused the governor of supporting cuts to Social Security, Medicare and other entitlement programs as a way to tame federal spending.”
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Former President Donald Trump gestures after speaking at the New Hampshire Federation of Republican Women Lilac Luncheon, Tuesday, June 27, 2023, in Concord, N.H. | Steven Senne/AP Photo | — “DeSantis’ pitch to New Hampshire is all about a state 1,000 miles south,” by The New York Times’ Jenna Russell, Jonathan Swan and Nicholas Nehamas A BAD DAY FOR SUAREZ — “‘What’s a Uyghur?’: Miami mayor and 2024 GOP hopeful Suarez fumbles question on China,” by CNN’s Kit Maher and Shawna Mizelle: “Miami mayor and 2024 Republican presidential candidate Francis Suarez indicated in an interview on Tuesday that he was unfamiliar with the plight of Uyghur Muslims, a predominantly Muslim ethnic minority in China whose treatment has been the subject of worldwide condemnation for years. In an interview on Hugh Hewitt’s radio show, the Republican presidential candidate was asked, ‘Will you be talking about the Uyghurs in your campaign?’ Suarez responded, ‘The what?’” Repair work — “In a statement to CNN Tuesday afternoon, Suarez denied that he was unaware of the Uyghur situation and the human rights abuses China is accused of committing. ‘Of course, I am well aware of the suffering of the Uyghurs in China. They are being enslaved because of their faith. China has a deplorable record on human rights and all people of faith suffer there. I didn’t recognize the pronunciation my friend Hugh Hewitt used,’ Suarez said in a statement to CNN." — “Ousted New College trustee Eddie Speir files to run for Congress against Vern Buchanan,” by Sarasota Herald-Tribune’s Zac Anderson
| | DESANTISLAND | | CONNECTIONS — No Labels’ signature-gathering firm has ties to Ron DeSantis, by POLITICO’s Jessica Piper: As part of its push for a unity ticket presidential bid, the bipartisan group No Labels quietly employed a firm with ties to GOP candidates including Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. The firm, Blitz Canvassing, was paid a total of $107,000 by No Labels’ affiliated nonprofit entity, Insurance Policy for America, to help it gather signatures in Colorado, the first state where No Labels, which has floated the idea of an independent presidential unity ticket in 2024, qualified as a minor political party. This would allow it to field a presidential candidate in the state. FOLLOWING THE MONEY — “Watchdog alleges Canadian hedge fund gave illegal contributions to DeSantis campaign,” by Miami Herald’s Mary Ellen Klas: “An election watchdog organization has filed a second complaint against Gov. Ron DeSantis’ political campaign, alleging a Canadian hedge fund made more than $167,000 in illegal contributions to his operation. The non-partisan, Washington, D.C.-based Campaign Legal Center is asking the Federal Election Commission to investigate Toronto-based ECN Capital Corporation for violating federal campaign finance laws that prohibit contributions from foreign nationals and foreign corporations.” BALANCING ACT — “What Florida, DeSantis can learn from other governors who ran for president,” by Tampa Bay Times’ Emily L. Mahoney: “One afternoon late last month, Ron DeSantis the governor and Ron DeSantis the presidential candidate were theoretically doing two different things at once. His office announced he had signed eight bills — then shared paperwork that was filed at the same time DeSantis was headlining an event in a barn more than 1,000 miles from Tallahassee in Pella, Iowa. (His office later clarified that DeSantis signed the bills ‘prior to filing.’)” — “We analyzed more than 300 DeSantis appointments. Here’s what we found,” by Tampa Bay Times’ Kirby Wilson BEHIND THE CURTAIN — “DeSantis influencer blames Trumpers for leaking racist messages,” by The Daily Beast’s Tracy Connor: “It appears the battle between Trumpworld and Ron DeSantis’ camp over right-wing influencers is getting down and dirty. On Tuesday, the far-right website Breitbart published a story reporting that in 2019 and 2020, a conservative writer named Pedro Gonzalez—who was once a Trump backer and is now supporting DeSantis—sent antisemitic and racist messages. The article, which went viral in conservative circles, included a raft of direct quotes from the messages sent in a group chat called ‘Right-Wing Death Squad’ and to a single member of that group chat.” — “‘Cease and Desist:’ Iowa GOP County leader blasts DeSantis super PAC for lying about grassroots backing,” by The Messenger’s Marc Caputo
| | | | SUBSCRIBE TO POWER SWITCH: The energy landscape is profoundly transforming. Power Switch is a daily newsletter that unlocks the most important stories driving the energy sector and the political forces shaping critical decisions about your energy future, from production to storage, distribution to consumption. Don’t miss out on Power Switch, your guide to the politics of energy transformation in America and around the world. SUBSCRIBE TODAY. | | | | | | | TRUMPLANDIA AND THE SWAMP | | — “McCarthy questions strength of Trump’s candidacy, then quickly backtracks,” by The New York Times’ Annie Karni — “It’s not just Mar-a-Lago: Trump charges highlights his New Jersey life,” by The Washington Post’s Jacqueline Alemany, Josh Dawsey and Spencer S. Hsu — “Pinellas pair gets jail time for Jan. 6 Capitol riot,” by Tampa Bay Times’ Christopher Spata — “Lakeland woman who entered US Capitol during Jan. 6 riot accepts plea deal,” by The Ledger’s Gary White
| | ... DATELINE TALLAHASSEE ... | | MARIJUANA MOMENT — Florida attorney general contends pot amendment will mislead voters, by POLITICO’s Gary Fineout: The Florida Supreme Court should block a proposed citizen initiative to legalize marijuana from the 2024 ballot because it is “misleading” to voters in several ways, Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody argued in a legal brief filed late Monday. The move by Moody, a Republican, comes just days after Gov. Ron DeSantis publicly declared his opposition to marijuana legalization at the federal level while campaigning for president in South Carolina. Response — Smart & Safe Florida, the group that is pushing the initiative and which is largely bankrolled by medical marijuana company Trulieve — the state's largest vendor — said in a statement that it disagreed with the analysis from Moody’s office. “We believe the language as written clearly complies with the requirements of the constitution,” the organization stated. WEIGHING IN — “Florida Supreme Court justice should recuse himself on key abortion case, says ex-chief justice,” by South Florida Sun-Sentinel’s Anthony Man: “Barbara Pariente, a former chief justice of the Florida Supreme Court, said Tuesday that one of the current justices, Charles Canady, should recuse himself from the case before the court that will decide if state efforts to sharply reduce access to abortion are constitutional. Canady has a long and deep record of opposition to abortion, dating back to his time in the state Legislature and Congress. But that’s not why Pariente, and some others in the legal world, think Canady ought to step aside. The reason is the work of his spouse, state Rep. Jennifer Canady, R-Lakeland, as a co-sponsor of the new state law that would ban virtually all abortions in Florida.” REJECTED — “DeSantis vetoes bill offering second chances for criminal record expungement,” by Tampa Bay Times’ Romy Ellenbogen: “Gov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday vetoed a bill that would allow adults to get their criminal record expunged even if they had an expungement as a juvenile. Under current Florida law, someone cannot get their criminal record expunged as an adult if they had their record expunged as a juvenile. The bipartisan bill, HB605, would give someone a second chance, so long as they weren’t charged for the previous crime as an adult. It was approved nearly unanimously in both the House and the Senate.” — “Judge won’t halt Florida law that ends automatic dues payments for unions,” by News Service of Florida’s Jim Saunders — ‘Freedom Summer’ means state employees get an extra long holiday weekend,” by Florida Politics’ Anne Geggis
| | DATELINE D.C. | | THE TRUTH IS OUT THERE — “Top US officials have ‘first-hand knowledge’ of UFOs: Sen. Marco Rubio,” by N.Y. Post’s Josh Christenson: “High-ranking US government officials have ‘first-hand knowledge’ of a secret Pentagon crash retrieval program for UFOs, Sen. Marco Rubio has claimed. Rubio (R-Fla.), who serves as vice chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, told NewsNation Monday that ‘serious’ whistleblowers — who ‘have held very high clearances and high positions within our government’ — have come forward to the panel about several incidents in recent years. ‘Some of these people still work in the government,’ the 52-year-old Rubio told the outlet.” — “Pressure mounts to appoint Black, female judge to South Florida federal bench,” by Miami Herald’s Alan Halaly
| | PENINSULA AND BEYOND | | TAKING AIM AT FLORIDA — POLITICO’s Lisa Kashinsky reports that Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey has a message for Texas and Florida. Kashinsky writes that the state’s first openly lesbian governor has spent Pride month pitching the state’s legal protections for LGBTQ people as a selling point for moving to Massachusetts. Now her administration is targeting that message to red states whose Republican governors are curtailing LGBTQ rights. Healey’s tourism office is running a Pride-themed advertising campaign in Florida and Texas, with digital billboards and social media posts bearing the slogan “Massachusetts: For us all” and featuring LGBTQ couples photographed in locations throughout the Bay State. The ads will run for a month in the two southern states. “At a time when other states are misguidedly restricting LGBTQIA+ rights, we are proud to send the message that Massachusetts is a safe, welcoming and inclusive place for all,” Healey said in a statement.
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Massachusetts is running a Pride-centric tourism ad campaign in states including Florida and Texas. | Image courtesy of the Healey administration | — “White Florida woman charged with manslaughter in shooting of Black neighbor,” by Associated Press — “A Pinellas official targeted a library Pride display. Now it’s gone,” by Tampa Bay Times’ Jack Evans — “Deliberations continue in Parkland ex-deputy’s negligence trial,” by South Florida Sun-Sentinel’s Rafael Olmeda
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