Sunday, September 26, 2021
Protestors this week in Florida
PHOTO: Mark Curtis
We’re on the road this week in the key battleground state of Florida. A lot is going on here, including political fights over vaccines and masks, that could affect key races for governor and U.S. Senate here next year, especially which party wins control of the U.S. Senate. Let’s “brunch” on that this week:
“Mask Protests” – I wasn’t on the ground in Florida for 15 minutes, when I encountered an anti-mask mandate protest along Highway A1A at the beach. Some held banners saying, “We Will Not Comply!” The most-clever, and in-your-face were, “The Solution to Government Overreach: Peaceful Non-Compliance,” (which is certainly a riff on Martin Luther King, Jr.’s strategy of “peaceful non-violence”). And “My Body, My Choice,” (a conservative shot at a similar slogan from the more liberal pro-choice movement regarding abortion rights). Language is a funny thing, that can be molded and changed. Sometimes it proves, “What’s old is new again,” even when lobbed from the other side of the aisle, on an entirely different issue.
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“The Border Battle” – Illegal Immigration is a huge issue in Florida, as it is in Texas and other border states. So, the images of 10,000 plus Haitian refugees at the border in Del Rio, Texas is getting lots of coverage in the Sunshine State and elsewhere. A few weeks ago, I wrote that the Afghanistan departure might be President Joe Biden’s Achille’s Heel in 2022 and 2024, but now add the Texas border mess to that list. Biden, was elected in large part, due to his many years of perceived foreign policy expertise. A lot of folks are now questioning that qualification.
“Florida’s Governor’s a Bellwether?” – Controversial and provocative Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) is up for a second term in 2022. A few Democrats want to take him on including U.S. Rep. Charlie Crist (D) Florida, who served the state as a Republican governor for one term. He then ran as an independent for U.S. Senate (after losing the Republican primary to Marco Rubio), before switching to the Democrat Party. This may be close, and as with other states, may trend on how the Congressional midterm elections are going.
“Florida’s U.S. Senate Hot Seat” – I know it’s way, way too early, but some polls are already indicating a tight race for U.S. Senate in Florida next year. According to a poll from St. Pete Polls released last month, incumbent Sen. Marco Rubio (R) Florida led Rep. Val Demings (D) Florida, 48 to 46 percent, with the rest undecided. We should note that the poll was taken just days before former Rep. Alan Grayson (D) Florida announced he would challenge Demings in the primary. With a 2-point margin of error, the poll might show Rubio up by as many as 6 points, or the race is in a statistical tie. Many predict it will be the most expensive race in the nation next year. As of now, I agree.
“Why Florida is so Critical?” – If either side wins just a net gain of one seat in the U.S. Senate, it tips the balance of that institution. The Florida race is the most critical for both parties. Yes, Rubio could win, but Democrats could seize control with a win in another key state (keep an eye on Ohio and Pennsylvania, for example). But, as the third most populous state with the third-highest number of Electoral College votes, having control of the governor’s mansion and Congressional delegation is huge. A Rubio and DeSantis loss, for example, might toss this battleground state back to blue in the 2024 presidential contest.
“The Odd Dance of Mitch McConnell and Donald Trump” – In non-Florida news, these two “love birds” were sniping at each other again in recent days. Look, all McConnell must do is win a net gain of one seat in the 2022 midterms (easily doable), and he’s Senate Majority Leader once again, and a potential big asset for Trump, should he run and regain the White House in 2024. Yet, Trump wants McConnell (R) Kentucky, gone, though he has not specified a successor, (though he hints at Sen. Tim Scott (R) South Carolina). The disloyalty is not lost on McConnell, who a) blocked President Barack Obama’s final Supreme Court appointee; and then, b) shepherded all three Trump appointees to the high court for a 6-3 Republican majority. How do you diss a guy who handed you that kind of judicial footprint for the next generation? Wow!
“Latest Trump Response” — Here’s former President Trump’s latest email plea to me (why?), and others: “Patriot, we have a CRITICAL End-of-Month fundraising deadline coming up, and each day when I ask my team who has stepped up, they NEVER mention YOUR NAME. Why is that, Patriot? You’ve always been a strong ally in the past and this just isn’t like you. In a time when Joe Biden is FAILING our Country, your support is needed now more than ever. Today is the FINAL day to contribute towards our goal, so I’ve decided to GO BIG and INCREASE your 400%-IMPACT offer to 500%! This offer expires at midnight tonight, Patriot.” The only flaw in this pitch is I never give money to either party, or any candidate. It’s called “conflict of interest,” and I resent the false implication! Yes, the email is from a BOT, not from “the Donald!”
“Wrap it With a Bowe” – This COVID-19 pandemic has been one of the toughest, most frightening times I’ve witnessed in nearly 63 years on this planet. While I’ve seen great compassion, I’ve also seen great meanness. Battling tough times, whether it be World War II, or 9-11 should be our finest hours. My friend and former West Virginia Delegate Cindy Lavender-Bowe (D) posted a nice reminder on Facebook this past week: “20 months into this pandemic and I am amazed every day by the kindness of folks. I’m also appalled every day by the audacity of folks. If you’re using this pandemic as a political sounding board, you’re not helping. Dig deep. Look for your patience, empathy, and love. Try harder. It’s there. We’re all struggling.”
“It’s a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood!” – Cindy added a famous quote from Mr. Fred Rogers, whom I once got to meet: “When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’” Amen, to that! I’ve done news coverage at many, many testing and vaccination clinics run by local health departments and other agencies. I’ve been in multiple hospitals and doctors’ offices. These “helpers” are truly our heroes! Folks, being nice is free. It doesn’t cost anybody a dime. And it pays back in spades! So, be nice, especially to the helpers! Do it for Mr. Rogers!
What are your thoughts on the role that a single state, Florida, plays on the national stage? People complain about Iowa and New Hampshire, too. Just click the comment button and let us know!
Mark Curtis, Ed.D., is Chief Political Reporter for the seven Nexstar Media TV stations serving West Virginia, its five neighboring states and the entire Washington, DC media market. He is a MINDSETTER™ Contributing Political Writer and Analyst for www.GoLocalProv.com and its affiliates.
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