| | | | |  | | By Kimberly Leonard and Kierra Frazier | | Presented by |  | | | |  Former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris speak during a presidential debate at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, on Sept. 10, 2024. | Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images | Good morning and welcome to Wednesday. Miami Republicans quickly realized last night’s debate against Vice President Kamala Harris was a whole different ball game than the one former President Donald Trump had against President Joe Biden. Playbook was on hand at a Women’s Republican Club of Miami Federated watch party. The energy was high — but attendees saw early on that the Democratic standard bearer wasn’t going to roll over anywhere near as easily this time. Republicans came into the watch party saying they hoped to hear more about Harris’ positions and wanted Trump to press her about essentially being the incumbent, given that she’s the sitting vice president. Megan Pearl, an attorney and board member for the Women’s Republican Club of Miami Federated, said ahead of the debate that she was looking forward to seeing Harris off script. “We are going to see the real Kamala Harris tonight … You’re dealing with a virtual unknown,” she said. “What has she done?” Roughly 40 Republicans arrived at the Bay 13 brewery in the Miami suburb of Coral Gables for the watch party, with heavy rainstorms tempering attendance a bit. It became clear early in the debate that Trump wasn’t facing the same opponent from the summer, and Republicans who attended said they thought Harris was goading Trump. They collectively exclaimed when Harris said people left Trump’s rallies early, but then cheered at his response that, “People don’t go to her rallies.” “She has busted his chops,” said Daisy Ramos, vice president of the Women’s Republican Club of Miami Federated. “He has fallen a little but quickly bounces back.” Her favorite part of the debate, she said, was when Trump panned Harris’ jobs plan as being “like four sentences, like, ‘Run, spot, run’" — a line also got applause from the group gathered at the brewery. Another line that drew significant applause was when Trump told Harris, “I’m talking now, if you don’t mind, please. Does that sound familiar?” which was intended to harken back to her 2020 debate against then-Vice President Mike Pence. Republicans at the watch party groaned when Harris began criticizing Trump's economic policies. One attendee yelled “mentirosa!" (which translates as "liar" in Spanish) when Harris said that, under Trump, the unemployment rate during Covid was the worst since the Great Depression. And many members were frustrated with the ABC News moderators fact checking Trump's responses and quick to brush off his outbursts. “Donald Trump is Donald Trump,” said Katherine Amholt, a board member for Women’s Republican Club of Miami Federated. “He is who he is. He says what he thinks.” The only question Trump faced specifically tied to Florida was over his views on abortion rights. The former president wouldn’t directly answer the question over whether he would veto a federal restriction on abortion — saying it wasn’t necessary to talk about because a bill wouldn't reach his desk — though he said he wouldn't sign one. The answer threatens to further muddy his response to an issue he has struggled to articulate, underscored by the Harris campaign blasting out a clip of the exchange last night. Harris gave an emotional appeal for abortion rights, but didn’t state support for specific gestational limits on abortion. For the other side of the aisle, the night capped off with Florida Democrats getting one of their wildest dreams — Taylor Swift endorsing Harris. The state party already said months ago it had plans to hold voter registration drives at her concerts in Florida in October. “Taylor is bringing the Eras Tour to Miami in the weekend leading up to early voting, and I look forward to seeing that energy play out in Florida!!!” Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried said in a statement, using the same exclamations Swift uses in a song named after the Sunshine State from her latest album. “You can expect to see Florida Democrats organizing in full force in Miami-Dade County around her visit as we work to take back Florida.” Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget in the campaign reporting that Playbook should look at? Get in touch at: kleonard@politico.com.
| | | | A message from Uber: How does Uber expand transit access in Florida?
Every week, Uber helps over 3,000 people get to and from Brightline stations across Florida. On average, riders travel nearly 6 miles to connect to Brightline, extending their reach far beyond the tracks. Learn more about how Uber is working with transit agencies in Florida and across the country. | | | |  | ... DATELINE TALLAHASSEE ... | | QUO WARRANTO — A Palm Beach county lawyer is suing DeSantis, Agency for Health Care Administration Secretary Jason Weida and Attorney General Ashley Moody over efforts by the DeSantis administration to wade into the turbulent political battle over Amendment 4. Last week AHCA launched a website that blasts the abortion access initiative and says if passed it “threatens women’s safety.” The agency has also produced an ad urging people to visit the webpage. Supporters of the measure, including Democratic legislators, have sharply questioned the legality of using taxpayer money to urge voters to defeat the amendment. Adam Richardson on Tuesday asked the Florida Supreme Court to block the actions of AHCA and other state officials. His court filing contends the governor, AHCA secretary and attorney general have “acted in excess of their legal authority” and that they are misusing state resources to interfere with an election. In recent years the state Supreme Court has not been very receptive to what are known as “quo warranto” filings, but Richardson called on the court to act quickly. The lawsuit came the same day that DeSantis — who has regularly spoken out about the amendment — staunchly defended AHCA getting involved. DeSantis maintained that AHCA is “simply telling the truth.” Amendment 4 backers on Tuesday also launched their first television ad urging voters to pass the initiative. — Gary Fineout MORE PARKS — “17 more Florida state parks were considered for golf courses, lodge, pickleball,” reports Tampa Bay Times’ Emily L. Mahoney and Max Chesnes. “An undated document obtained by the Tampa Bay Times shows that administration officials at one point mulled a more sweeping list that spanned 17 additional state parks. The two-page document, entitled ‘Florida State Parks with additional capacity for new Recreational Opportunities,’ rattles off the additional parks — from Key Biscayne to the Georgia border — along with potential amenities that could be built.” LAB-GROWN MEAT BAN — “Federal judge to consider putting Florida’s ‘cultivated meat’ law on back burner,” reports News Service of Florida’s Jim Saunders. “Chief U.S. District Judge Mark Walker has scheduled a hearing Oct. 7 on a request by the California-based UPSIDE Foods, Inc. for a preliminary injunction against the law, which Gov. Ron DeSantis signed May 1, according to a court docket. UPSIDE Foods filed a lawsuit last month challenging the constitutionality of the law and requested a preliminary injunction. The lawsuit contends, in part, that a federal poultry-products law preempts Florida from imposing such a ban.” CORAL REEF RECOVERY — “Florida’s coral reefs are still ailing but doing better,” reports NPR’s Greg Allen. “Last summer, record ocean temperatures fueled by an El Niño climate pattern sparked a global coral bleaching event. In the Florida Keys, there was widespread bleaching and many corals died, decimating reefs. Because of storms and many days with a significant cloud cover, water temperatures in Florida over the last several weeks were well under what was seen last year.” RISE IN PRISON DEATHS — “Incarceration deaths are increasing across the country — including in Florida,” reports WLRN’s Margie Menzel. “So far this year, the Leon County Detention Facility has seen six inmates die from a range of causes. That’s a lot for Leon – and well above similar facilities in Florida. But it’s consistent with the increase in incarceration deaths across the country.” ‘EVERYONE IS WELCOME’ — “Angry over Florida removing its LGBTQ+ travel page? Connecticut urges you to come north,” reports USA Today Network - Florida’s C.A. Bridges. “[Connecticut’s] board of tourism announced it will be launching a digital ad campaign targeted at LGBTQ+ people and families in Florida. ‘Our message is clear,’ said Anthony [Anthony, state Chief Marketing Officer.] ‘In Connecticut, everyone is welcome. Unlike Florida which has removed LGBTQ+ resources from its tourism website, we are proud to prominently feature out commitment to inclusivity across all our platforms.’”
| | | | A message from Uber:   | | | | | PENINSULA AND BEYOND | | PASSED AFTER DEBATE — “LGBTQ months recognized by Broward schools, despite conservative opposition,” reports the South Florida Sun Sentinel’s Scott Travis. “A series of resolutions honoring different groups and occasions fueled a heated debate at a Broward School Board meeting on Tuesday due to the inclusion of resolutions supporting the LGBTQ community. The board voted 6-3 on Tuesday to approve a list of 96 resolutions for the next nine months, most of which generated little attention, such as ones supporting National School Lunch, World Science Day and Autism Awareness Month. But it was three LGBTQ-related ones that prevented the list from being passed quickly. These resolutions recognized LGBTQIA+ History Month in October, National Day of Silence in April for victims of LGBTQ bullying and Pride Month in June.”
|  Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill (10) smiles on the field before an NFL pre-season football game against the Washington Commanders, Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024, in Miami Gardens, Fla. | Doug Murray/AP | ASKING FOR REINSTATEMENT — “Officer in Tyreek Hill cuffing traffic stop outside stadium wants to get back to work,” reports South Florida Sun Sentinel’s Rafael Olmeda. “‘We urge all parties to refrain from making public statements that may misrepresent our client’s actions and mislead the public about Mr. Hill’s detainment,’ said attorney Ignacio Alvarez, representing the officer. ‘We call for our client’s immediate reinstatement.’” — “Donald Trump, endorsed by police groups, quiet on Dolphins star's treatment in traffic stop,” reports Antonio Fins of the Palm Beach Post. PLEAS AFTER CAMPUS PROTESTS — “3 more student protesters arrested at UF accept plea deals in criminal cases,” reports Vivienne Serret of Fresh Take Florida. “Three more University of Florida students arrested earlier this year during pro-Palestinian protests on campus have accepted plea agreements to misdemeanor criminal charges and will pay a small fine with no jail time. The three students — including one who is Jewish — each signed deferred prosecution agreements Monday they negotiated with the State Attorney’s Office offering to drop their criminal cases in six months if they were not arrested again, pay $150 in court fees and donate $150 to specific children’s charities. All the students remain suspended from enrolling at UF and banned from campus for three years.” TRACKING THE STORM — “Francine forecast to grow into hurricane as it turns toward northern Gulf Coast,” reports Richard Tribou of the Orlando Sentinel. “The system is forecast to continue to increase its forward pace in a northeast motion toward the northern Gulf Coast through Wednesday.”
| | | | A message from Uber: Expanding transit access in Florida
Did you know that every week, Uber helps over 3,000 people get to and from Brightline stations across Florida?
Key stat: On average, riders travel nearly 6 miles to reach these stations—extending Brightline’s reach far beyond the tracks.
From MiamiCentral to Aventura, Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton, West Palm Beach, and Orlando, Uber is making it easier for Floridians to access public transit.
Learn more about how Uber partners with transit agencies to improve access to public transportation. | | | | | CAMPAIGN MODE | | YOUNG REPUBLICANS BACK LEGAL POT — “'The obvious choice': Florida Young Republicans endorse recreational marijuana on ballot,” reports USA Today Network - Florida’s Douglas Soule. “The move by the group, which defines itself as ‘Florida's premier young conservative leadership organization,’ conflicts with ardent opposition launched by Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Republican Party of Florida. But it comes a couple of days after former President Donald Trump issued his own endorsement.” SCOTT’S IVF LEGISLATION — “Senate GOP leader contenders waffle on Trump IVF plan,” reports Axios’ Stef W. Kight. “Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.), who also announced a leadership bid, told reporters he would take a look at the proposal, but then pointed to his separate IVF legislation to address high costs.” | | | | 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 | | | | |
