President Biden heads to Florida to see Idalia’s destruction. But he won’t be seeing Gov. DeSantis

President Joe Biden is traveling to Florida this Saturday to personally witness the devastation caused by Hurricane Idalia. However, his visit won’t include a meeting with Florida’s Republican governor and potential 2024 presidential candidate, Ron DeSantis. Governor DeSantis has expressed concerns that arranging a meeting between him and President Biden would disrupt ongoing disaster recovery efforts, especially in the rural communities that have been severely impacted by the hurricane.

In response to Governor DeSantis’ decision not to meet, Jeremy Redfern, a spokesperson for DeSantis, stated, “We don’t have any plans for the governor to meet with the president.” This announcement came after President Biden had earlier mentioned his intention to meet with the governor. The potential clash between Biden’s visit and DeSantis’ response underscores the delicate balance between addressing disaster-related issues and navigating political considerations.

Emilie Simons, a White House spokeswoman, clarified that President Biden’s visit had been meticulously coordinated with Federal Emergency Management personnel, as well as state and local leaders. This coordination aims to ensure that the visit does not impede the ongoing disaster response operations.

Upon arriving in Gainesville, President Biden is scheduled to conduct an aerial tour before heading to Live Oak for a comprehensive briefing on response and recovery efforts. The President will also engage in meetings with federal, local officials, and first responders. His itinerary includes a firsthand assessment of the hurricane’s impact on the affected community, followed by remarks about his observations.

This current political discord contrasts with past instances where both Biden and DeSantis collaborated during post-disaster visits. Their interactions after Hurricane Ian and the Miami Beach condo collapse demonstrated a willingness to prioritize helping storm victims over political differences. However, with Governor DeSantis now actively campaigning against President Biden in the 2024 presidential race, the dynamics have shifted.

Balancing the demands of disaster response and political aspirations can be complex. Governor Chris Christie’s experience during Hurricane Sandy serves as an example, as his bipartisan collaboration with then-President Barack Obama was met with criticism from within the Republican Party.

Governor DeSantis initially echoed President Biden’s sentiment that aiding storm victims transcends political divisions. Nevertheless, as Hurricane Idalia approached, DeSantis began expressing concerns about logistical complications stemming from a presidential visit, especially regarding security arrangements in hard-hit areas.

The governor’s decision to forgo a meeting with the President was grounded in the need to maintain a steady focus on power restoration and relief efforts. DeSantis emphasized the significance of ensuring uninterrupted recovery operations without disruptions caused by a presidential visit.

President Biden, displaying a lighthearted attitude, humorously mentioned his frequent conversations with Governor DeSantis about Hurricane Idalia. The administration’s Homeland Security adviser, Liz Sherwood-Randall, highlighted their collaborative efforts during past disasters, emphasizing their collegiality in assisting Americans in need.

Both President Biden and Governor DeSantis face significant political implications following Hurricane Idalia. The White House’s request for an additional $4 billion in supplemental funding to address natural disasters underscores the increasing financial burden of climate change-induced events on the nation.

Governor DeSantis, vying for the presidency, has centered his campaign on opposing what he refers to as “woke” policies advocated by Democrats. He has also garnered attention by urging supporters to send “Joe Biden back to his basement,” alluding to Biden’s initial response to the pandemic. Despite his efforts, DeSantis trails behind former President Donald Trump in the Republican primary race. His campaign has witnessed leadership changes and image rebranding as he strives to regain momentum.

Furthermore, the super PAC supporting DeSantis’ candidacy has suspended door-knocking activities in crucial primary states, signaling potential challenges for his campaign moving forward.

Contributions from Brendan Farrington, a writer at Big Big News in Tallahassee, Florida, have contributed to this report.

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More about Disaster Response

• President Biden’s Florida Visit to Assess Hurricane Idalia’s Aftermath
• Governor DeSantis’ Decision Not to Meet President Biden
• Collaborative Efforts During Past Disasters
• Climate Change and Increased Costs of Natural Disasters
• Governor DeSantis’ Presidential Campaign Strategy
• Governor Chris Christie’s Hurricane Sandy Experience
• Biden and DeSantis’ Engagement in Disaster Response