During a media conference on Tuesday, Republican Governor Ron DeSantis of Florida criticized President Biden as the state of Florida prepared to be struck by a Category 3 storm.
The comments made by DeSantis came after President Biden had separate discussions earlier in the day with the mayors of Tampa, St. Petersburg, and Clearwater.
In the official debrief of the calls provided by the White House, there was no reference to the president talking with DeSantis.
Pettiness?
A reporter wanted to know how the governor would summarize his talk with President Biden as the hurricane approached the coast and threatened to make landfall.
Joe Biden is refusing to call Florida governor Ron Desantis as a hurricane bears down on Florida. So much for uniting the country. Embarrassing behavior by the entire Biden administration.
— Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) September 27, 2022
DeSantis stated he had not personally spoken with the president, but FEMA authorized their pre-landfall request.
DeSantis went on to say Florida has what they consider to be a positive relationship with FEMA. He stated he would be happy to brief the president if the president was curious in hearing about what they are accomplishing in Florida.
"I’m happy to brief the President if he’s interested in hearing what we’re doing in Florida… You've got people’s lives at stake…no time for pettiness, we've gotta work together to make sure we’re doing the best job for them. So my phone line is open." @RonDeSantisFL on Biden pic.twitter.com/d2FkngDq5J
— DeSantis War Room 🐊 #FloridaStrong (@DeSantisWarRoom) September 27, 2022
As far as DeSantis is concerned, people’s lives and property are at stake. They do not have patience for pettiness. Florida will have to collaborate to ensure that they are performing the very best job possible for them.
DeSantis concluded his phone line was available. Florida is thankful, however, for the expeditious acceptance of the pre-landfall declaration.
The comments made by DeSantis come at a time when the hurricane is gaining intensity while still in the Gulf of Mexico and it may make landfall as a Category 4 hurricane.
The National Hurricane Center issued a warning that Ian is a major hurricane that poses an exceptionally high risk.
During the news conference, the press secretary for the White House, Karine Jean-Pierre, did not provide any specific information regarding why the president had not called DeSantis.
The administrator of FEMA, Deanne Criswell, sidestepped a question from a reporter regarding the matter.
Necessary Dialogue
According to the article, President Biden called the governors of affected states when natural catastrophes occurred.
Governors Kay Ivey and Asa Hutchinson, along with the governor of Texas, are three examples. She stated how those decisions are made, but didn’t answer why it hasn’t been made in this scenario.
According to Criswell, the president is placing a significant amount of emphasis on ensuring the federal household has the appropriate resources available to assist this endeavor.
That is why he got in touch with the governor as soon as possible. In addition, they have a team of senior leaders who are working closely with the governors to ensure they are providing the necessary support.
She said their priority right now is ensuring they have the appropriate precautions to support the life-saving activities required. After the incident, any conversations will be focused on determining the extent of the damage.
This article appeared in The Political Globe and has been published here with permission.
