Biden Surveys Hurricane Idalia Aftermath in Florida, No DeSantis Meeting on the Horizon.
As the weekend dawns, U.S. President Joe Biden is embarking on a journey to Florida to assess the devastating aftermath of Hurricane Idalia and offer solace to the storm’s victims. However, on this mission, there’s a conspicuous absence – a planned meeting with Ron DeSantis, Florida’s Republican governor, and a potential presidential rival.
Biden, representing the Democratic party, had initially indicated on Friday his intention to meet with Governor DeSantis during the visit. However, Jeremy Redfern, the governor’s spokesperson, later dispelled any such plans. The reason? The extensive security preparations necessary for such a meeting could potentially disrupt the ongoing recovery operations.
DeSantis, who is 44 years old, is fervently pursuing the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, aiming to unseat Biden from the White House. Yet, in current polls, he trails behind the former President, Donald Trump. Meanwhile, Biden, at the age of 80, is actively campaigning for re-election.
Throughout the past week, Biden and DeSantis have maintained open lines of communication, discussing the extensive damage inflicted by Hurricane Idalia on Florida’s Big Bend region. Remarkably, despite their political differences, the president emphasized the absence of politics in their conversations, asserting, “I believe he has confidence in my judgment and my commitment to providing assistance.
“White House Confirms Biden’s Visit to Florida, Coordinated with FEMA and Local Leaders
The White House disclosed that President Biden, accompanied by his wife, Jill, had informed Governor DeSantis about his Florida visit during a conversation on Thursday, and there were no raised concerns at that time. White House spokesperson Emilie Simons emphasized that their trip to Florida had been meticulously coordinated with FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) and state and local leaders to ensure it doesn’t disrupt ongoing response operations.
Governor DeSantis has been a vocal critic of President Biden, and the two have clashed on issues such as COVID-19 vaccines, abortion, and LGBT rights. However, it’s worth noting that they met last year when Biden visited Florida to assess the aftermath of Hurricane Ian. At that time, Biden praised their collaborative efforts, stating they had worked together “hand-in-glove.”
In light of the intensifying Republican presidential primary race, DeSantis may prefer not to be photographed alongside Biden while surveying storm damage. Although he currently trails behind Trump in the polls, DeSantis leads among other Republican candidates.
Notably, former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, who is also vying for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, faced criticism in 2012 for praising then-President Barack Obama when the Democrat visited his state in the aftermath of superstorm Sandy.
Biden’s recent visit to Hawaii, following deadly wildfires, underscored his commitment to addressing the climate crisis amidst extreme weather events. After concluding his trip to Florida, President Biden is slated to return to his home state of Delaware for the weekend.