In usual circumstances, it is expected that a president and a governor, even if they belong to opposing parties, come together to demonstrate their concern for the victims of a natural disaster and for potential voters across the nation. However, these are not normal times.
Governor Ron DeSantis of Florida, a Republican seeking the party’s nomination for president, stated through a spokesperson that he has no plans to meet with President Biden on Saturday during the president’s visit to a Florida community devastated by Hurricane Idalia. At a news conference, DeSantis explained that having a presidential visit would disrupt the ongoing power restoration and relief efforts. He had conveyed this concern to President Biden.
This statement from the governor came shortly after President Biden confirmed that he would meet with DeSantis during his visit. White House officials responded by saying that the president had informed DeSantis about the visit before announcing it publicly, and at that time, the governor did not express any concerns.
This exchange highlights the tensions between the two politicians, as their campaigns have been engaging in attacks against each other for months. A recent email from the Biden campaign referred to DeSantis as a politician overseeing an “inflation hot spot” and supporting an “extreme MAGA blueprint to undermine democracy.” During a Republican debate last month, DeSantis claimed that the country is declining under President Biden and accused him of neglecting the people of Maui during devastating fires.
Both men have a lot at stake. President Biden has faced mediocre approval ratings and has faced criticism for his initial response to the Maui wildfires. DeSantis has seen his poll numbers drop as former President Donald J. Trump, once his benefactor, has become a fierce rival.
Jason Pizzo, a Democratic state senator from South Florida, suggested that DeSantis’s decision appears to be politically motivated and lacking civility and decorum.
In the past, politicians have faced backlash for showing cordiality towards their opponents. For instance, in 2015, Governor Chris Christie of New Jersey, a Republican who planned to run for president, warmly greeted President Barack Obama during a visit to New Jersey after Hurricane Sandy. Some Republicans criticized the greeting, and Christie faced consequences for it.
Earlier this week, before President Biden announced his trip, DeSantis emphasized the importance of setting aside politics for the sake of his state’s needs. He stated that supporting those in harm’s way should supersede any short-term political calculations or positioning.
White House officials seemed to take his comments seriously. Liz Sherwood-Randall, the president’s top homeland security adviser, mentioned that Biden and DeSantis have a collegial relationship when it comes to helping Americans in need.
However, within 24 hours, that collegiality appeared to fade. Biden and DeSantis have previously put politics aside, for the most part, to deal with disasters. They met after the collapse of a condominium building and were cordial after Hurricane Ian.
A visit on Saturday would have been their first joint event since DeSantis officially announced his presidential campaign. After Hurricane Ian hit Florida, Biden visited the state after a seven-day wait. Hurricane Idalia made landfall in Florida on Wednesday.
Hurricane Idalia, a Category 3 storm, forced DeSantis to halt his campaign, but it also provided an opportunity for him to showcase strength, something he has struggled with as a presidential candidate. DeSantis had a rocky start to his campaign with a glitch-plagued Twitter event. He has also struggled to compete with the frontrunner, Donald J. Trump, and has had to reboot his campaign.
However, in response to the powerful hurricane, the governor sprang into action, just like other Florida governors have done in the past. He provided constant hurricane briefings, stressing the need for evacuation. His schedule reflected early starts at 4 a.m. Surveys after the storm showed that the damage was not as severe as initially feared, although many homes and businesses were flooded, and the fishing industry may be in long-term peril.
Biden’s administration also responded swiftly to deal with the storm. By Friday, there were 1,500 federal personnel in Florida, along with Urban Search and Rescue teams and disaster survivor assistance teams. FEMA provided meals and water, while other federal agencies were also involved.
As of Friday, only one storm-related death has been confirmed by state officials. Power has been restored to many homes, and roads and bridges are being reopened.
DeSantis, speaking to Sean Hannity on Fox News, stated that he was cautiously optimistic about the situation, emphasizing that most people evacuated. He also took the opportunity to criticize Biden’s vacation in Delaware.
DeSantis is likely hoping to return to the campaign trail from a position of strength after his solid performance in the recent Republican debate. He often highlights his response to Hurricane Ian, particularly his efforts to repair bridges and causeways to barrier islands immediately. The swift restoration of power and low number of fatalities from Hurricane Idalia may further enhance his campaign.
With the storm now over, DeSantis’s campaign has resumed normal operations. A fundraising appeal was sent out offering signed baseball caps to raise resources and defeat Joe Biden.
Overall, the tensions between President Biden and Governor DeSantis in the face of Hurricane Idalia show the challenges of putting politics aside during times of disaster.