MeAfter a devastating hurricane that claimed more than 100 lives, caused tens of billions of dollars in damage, and changed the face of Southwest Florida forever, Ron DeSantis said it was a good storm. experienced.
The right-wing Republican governor has become a constant face on national television during the aftermath of Hurricane Ian, largely avoiding the political controversy that has plagued him in recent weeks with a calm and reassuring face. to fasting. A moving tragedy.
What elevated him as a rival to Donald Trump in the Republican Party was an unprecedented facet of a politician better known for his aggressive Culture Wars brand of populism. It also got some praise from his Democratic veteran Joe Biden, who visited Fort Myers on .
“I think he’s done a good job. We have very different political philosophies…but we worked together and worked together,” the president said, citing many as white in the 2024 presidential election. He talked about who he expects to challenge him for House.
“And on anything related to dealing with this crisis, we’ve been totally aligned. There’s no difference,” he added, acknowledging the partnership between the DeSantis administration and federal agencies.
Biden’s affirmation Wednesday came just a month before the Nov. 8 midterm elections as the urgency of Ian’s search-and-rescue mission began devolving into relief and recovery efforts. Governor.
For some analysts, it left the enemy hopes of defeating him lying deep in the wreckage of the hurricane.
“Biden essentially ended the intellectual debate that swinging or undecided voters would choose Charlie Christo over DeSantis. Publisher Peter Schorsch said in a withering assessment of the Democratic nominee’s potential.
Other observers contrast DeSantis’ softer demeanor during the hurricane with the prickly, hard-line personality more familiar to viewers of Fox News, the governor’s favored megaphone.
“In many ways [the hurricane] He was golden because it allowed him to stay out of politics, really put his crisis management skills to work, and seem compassionate, two things you don’t see very often: the University of Florida.
“It was an opportunity to go to different parts of the state and show some compassion for the people, the workers and the situation here. It was a great opportunity to see the management and people skills side of things.”
DeSantis and Christo’s debate scheduled for October 12 has been postponed due to the hurricane and no date has yet been set. For Christo, who served as governor of Florida as a Republican, McManus thinks it’s even more daunting.
“Krist here has spent so much during the primary election that he barely has enough money to run an ad. I didn’t want it,” she said.
“The free exposure that DeSantis has and canceling or at least delaying the debate are two things that make it very difficult for Christo to close the gap.
“I’m an analyst for a TV station on campus, and this week we’re 100% coverage of hurricane recovery stories. It’s a very short time because
A Mason-Dixon poll taken before the Sept. 28 storm showed Crist already 11% behind, citing abortion messages and DeSantis’ political stunt that moved Venezuelan immigrants from Texas to Massachusetts. The backlash against voters suggests that chances are slim.
“DeSantis will be governor of Hurricane State for the next few weeks,” pollster Brad Coker told NBC.
“There are two disadvantages to Christo: He’s completely out of the news, he’s never dealt with a hurricane, so he can’t stand up and point out what he’s done. It has been.”
Kevin Kate, a Democratic strategist and former adviser to Christo, said DeSantis $110 million in free TV hours From thousands of appearances nationwide in the first week after the storm.
In Florida its value is $16.5 million and even Republicans blowout advantage With cash on hand, $110 million to Christo’s $3.6 million.
Both campaigns have resumed TV advertising after a brief hiatus during the storm, and Christo’s team says Democrats have raised more funding ($4.7 million) than the opposition since the Aug. 23 primary. claims to have received $4.6 million from
Southwest Florida is home to the Republican Party, and Republicans are concerned about the impact of the hurricane on the election. With houses damaged and residents forced to move out, there is no guarantee it will reach the intended recipient.
DeSantis could be asked to sign an order allowing early voting sites to be used on Election Day, reports NPR, but the governor seems reluctant.
“want to protect [the election] As normal as humanly possible. The more we leave, the more problems we have,” he said at a news conference Wednesday.