Last Call – A prime-time read of what’s going down in Florida politics.
First Shot
While remembering the tragedy 24 years ago on Sept. 11 during a ceremony in Palm Harbor, Gov. Ron DeSantis also spoke out on Wednesday’s tragedy of conservative activist Charlie Kirk being assassinated.[1][2]
DeSantis spoke at the ceremony to honor and remember the 3,000 victims and the first responders who stepped in to help. The ceremony included bagpipes, an American eagle and students winning their award-winning essays on the terrorist attacks.
DeSantis reflected on how the tragedy inspired him to join the U.S. Navy.
“Nothing rivaled what happened on 9/11. It changed the trajectory of my life,” DeSantis said. “I probably would not have become a naval officer had that not happened, and I know it changed the trajectory of so many others’ lives.”
As Governor, DeSantis said he has pushed to make Florida a leader in requiring students to learn about Sept. 11 history. On Thursday, flags across the state are lowered to fly at half-staff until sunset.[3]
The 9/11 attackers were in ideological war with the United States when they attacked 24 years ago, the Governor said. And the Governor condemned the evil then along with the evils that led to Kirk’s murder.
Read more on Florida Politics.[4]
Evening Reads
—“The Charlie Kirk murder is a moment. I fear we will miss it.” via Chris Cillizza of So What[5]
—”The funereal White House” via Ashley Parker and Isaac Stanley-Becker of The Atlantic[6]
—”Our country is not prepared for this” via Zack Beauchamp of Vox[7]
—”Political violence has become a terrifying fact of American life” via Aaron Zitner of The Wall Street Journal[8]
—”Inside the close alliance between Trump and Kirk” via Katie Rogers of The New York Times[9]
—”America enters a new age of political violence” via Nadtali Bendavid of The Washington Post[10]
—”‘War is here’: The far-right responds to Kirk shooting with calls for violence” via David Gilbert of WIRED[11]
—“Anna Paulina Luna calls for Kirk statue in U.S. Capitol” via Janelle Irwin Taylor of Florida Politics[12]
—“Paul Renner: Brewing ‘civil war’ between Trump, Ron DeSantis Republicans could clear his path to victory” via Livia Caputo of the Florida Phoenix[13]
—”‘Nobody’s asking for this’: Democratic Parkland leaders bash court decision ending Florida’s open carry ban” via Jesse Scheckner of Florida Politics[14]
Quote of the Day
“It’s important for our kids to know that on the worst day, where the worst evil was put before us, we saw some of the best that this country has to offer.”
— Gov. Ron DeSantis, speaking about Sept. 11, 2001.
Put it on the Tab
Look to your left, then look to your right. If you see one of these people at your happy hour haunt, flag down the bartender and put one of these on your tab. Recipes included, just in case the Cocktail Codex fell into the well.
Byron Donalds is enjoying an East 8 Hold-up as new polling shows him with a sizeable lead over Democratic challenger David Jolly. [15][16]
Ron DeSantis can sip on a Bold Fashioned as he touts the state-led Everglades restoration project at the Blue Shanty Flow Way.[17][18]
Have you seen this man? If it’s a bit foggy, perhaps a Lord Lucan will jog your memory.[19][20]
Breakthrough Insights
Tune In
Gators need win as schedule toughens
With the seat under head coach Billy Napier getting hotter, the Florida Gators try to bounce back from a loss to USF as they travel to face #3 LSU in the first of four straight games against ranked teams (7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN).
After opening the season with a 55-0 win over Long Island University, the Gators were upset by USF 18-16. The result propelled the Bulls into the Top 25 and set Gators fans on edge.
Napier’s job seemed to be in jeopardy last season, but he rallied the team to finish 8-5 with a win in the Gasparilla Bowl, the program’s first Bowl win in five years. Expectations were high when the season kicked off. The Gators were ranked 15th in the AP Poll. After the loss to USF, Florida fell out of the poll.
Florida is dealing with some notable injuries, including to wide receiver Dallas Wilson, who was injured in camp and running back Treyaun Webb, out of this game with a lower-body injury. Defensive lineman Brendan Bett, ejected for spitting at a South Florida player, may also miss the game. As of Thursday morning, no suspension had been announced by the program.
After facing LSU, the Gators travel to #5 Miami, host #7 Texas and visit #16 Texas A&M. The only teams on Florida’s schedule not ranked in this week’s Associated Press poll are Mississippi State and Kentucky.
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Last Call is published by Peter Schorsch, assembled and edited by Phil Ammann and Drew Wilson, with contributions from the staff of Florida Politics.
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References
- ^ Ron DeSantis (floridapolitics.com)
- ^ Charlie Kirk (floridapolitics.com)
- ^ flags across the state (floridapolitics.com)
- ^ Read more on Florida Politics (floridapolitics.com)
- ^ The Charlie Kirk murder is a moment. I fear we will miss it. (chriscillizza.substack.com)
- ^ The funereal White House (www.theatlantic.com)
- ^ Our country is not prepared for this (www.vox.com)
- ^ Political violence has become a terrifying fact of American life (www.wsj.com)
- ^ Inside the close alliance between Trump and Kirk (www.nytimes.com)
- ^ America enters a new age of political violence (www.washingtonpost.com)
- ^ ‘War is here’: The far-right responds to Kirk shooting with calls for violence (www.wired.com)
- ^ Anna Paulina Luna calls for Kirk statue in U.S. Capitol (floridapolitics.com)
- ^ Paul Renner: Brewing ‘civil war’ between Trump, Ron DeSantis Republicans could clear his path to victory (floridaphoenix.com)
- ^ ‘Nobody’s asking for this’: Democratic Parkland leaders bash court decision ending Florida’s open carry ban (floridapolitics.com)
- ^ East 8 Hold-up (www.diffordsguide.com)
- ^ a sizeable lead (floridapolitics.com)
- ^ Bold Fashioned (www.finewineandgoodspirits.com)
- ^ state-led Everglades restoration project (floridapolitics.com)
- ^ Have you seen this man (floridapolitics.com)
- ^ Lord Lucan (www.proofcocktails.nl)