Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has had some alternative phrases for President Joe Biden, saying the Democratic president “hates Florida.” Biden, in the meantime, has obliquely slammed DeSantis, accusing Republican governors of “taking part in politics with human beings” by flying unsuspecting migrants to blue states.
On Wednesday, as the 2 potential 2024 presidential candidates stood considerably awkwardly in hurricane-ravaged Fort Myers, Biden and DeSantis achieved a public detente, saying they’d cooperate on federal-state effors to assist the state recuperate from Hurricane Ian.
“I would like the individuals of Florida to know – you will have my dedication, and America’s dedication, that we’re not going to go away. We will see you thru this whole course of,” Biden mentioned after touring the devastated areas by helicopter and getting a briefing on the disaster from state and native officers.
Florida already had a extra resilient vitality grid due to federal help delivered when he was vice chairman, Biden mentioned – and now, the federal government has “obtained to construct again higher.”
“W know extra is coming” because of local weather change-fueled storms, Biden added, as DeSantis stood poker-faced behind him.
DeSantis provided some reward for the Biden administration, saying that his state was “lucky to have good coordination” with the white Home and the Federal Emergency Administration Company from the start. He thanked FEMA administrator Deanne Criswell and Biden, saying officers had been “reducing by way of the forms” to get help to Floridians extra shortly.
DeSantis concluded his remarks by telling Biden, “welcome to Florida. We recognize working collectively.”
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The widespread enemy of the storm did not make Biden and DeSantis new mates; their joint look Wednesday was nothing just like the bipartisan bond former President Barack Obama and former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie developed when New Jersey was hit by Hurricane Sandy.
Days earlier than the 2012 election, Christie, a Republican, lavished reward on Obama for his assist, even hugging Obama after the 2 toured a broken space of the state. Christie was roundly criticized by fellow Republicans for hugging a president that they had hoped to defeat that yr.
There was no hug Wednesday between Biden – who says it his “intention” to run for reelection – and DeSantis, who’s exploring a bid for the GOP nomination in 2024.
However nor did the 2 males showcase their political disagreements. White Home press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre mentioned this week Biden wouldn’t be citing the latest dispute, the place DeSantis used authorities cash to fly migrants to Martha’s Winery.
“I believe he’s completed an excellent job,” Biden mentioned of DeSantis, responding to a reporter’s query after his remarks.
“We labored hand in glove. We now have very completely different political philosophies, however we’ve labored hand in glove….In coping with this disaster, we’ve been in full lockstep,” Biden mentioned.
Biden advised Floridians he had earlier Wednesday signed an order to increase for one more 30 days money to cowl 100% of the removing of particles from affected Florida communities. DeSantis, Biden mentioned, would in all probability need to ask for yet one more 30 days later, and Biden would OK that as effectively, the president added, eliciting a nod from DeSantis.
The president mentioned his administration was additionally working to shorten the wait time for Floridians calling the catastrophe help line to request assist. Help ranges from short-term money for quick must rebuilding help and loans for people and companies.
“That is the U.s. of America – and I emphasize United,” Biden mentioned, lauding the “extraordinary cooperation” among the many authorities entities serving to Florida recuperate from the storm.
However “it will take loads – not weeks or months,” the president added. “It is going to take years for all the things to get squared away.”
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