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Florida governor feuds with White House as COVID cases rise

43 Comments
By WILL WEISSERT and BRENDAN FARRINGTON

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bass4funk: if Biden would concentrate on the border, seal it instead of letting in millions of people who are only 7% vaccinated and then by the plane and truckloads are distributed throughout the US secretly

This is one of my faves. Conservatives are going around saying Biden opened the borders and now infected illegals are traveling to Florida and that's the reason why the numbers are so high.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

I just love this guy. No wonder this guy is a rock star. He gets points for check listing and checkmating Biden and Psaki as they should have been, long overdue.

You just love obnoxious circus clowns who mouth off about "liberals". That's the low bar required to become a "rock star" in today's GOP.

"We will not allow Joe Biden and his bureaucratic flunkies to come in and commandeer the rights and freedoms of Floridians.”

Watch tough guy DeSantis beg for federal assistance when Floria gets battered by another hurricane.

5 ( +8 / -3 )

Mr. Desantis is Exhibit A of all that is wrong with the modern Republican Party where ideological purity is more important than finding ways to save lives in the face of a rapidly changing emergency. Telling school districts they cannot employ best public health practices for students and teachers borders on being criminal. It is a rule born of malice with no regard for the suffering it will cause if obeyed. The heirs of those who die from his rules should all sue Mr. Desantis personally.

5 ( +7 / -2 )

whatever plays on Fox News is where he’s going

Depressing, but true.

I have two words to say to Tucker Carlson. One of them not allowed on JT.

5 ( +9 / -4 )

Someone has to oppose the president

Opposition for the sake of opposition has no rational basis. It reminds me of the concept of pollution credits and a health care requirement. Both were originally Republican ideas and in the case of the former it took three decades for everyone else to catch up and see the value (though economists were in agreement with the idea of pollution credits from the very beginning). Then as soon as Democrats came to agree, Republicans denounced the ideas. It was their ideas but once Democrats accepted them Republicans felt compelled to oppose their ideas for the sake of opposing anything the Democrats agreed with. How about asking what is good for the nation instead of opposing for the sake of opposing?

5 ( +5 / -0 )

Bass: What a bunch of crap, the border is a sieve, it wasn’t like that under Trump

Makes no sense at all. Biden has made little to no changes on border policy because of COVID, just announced future changes. My guess is you're one of those, "a Democrat is in power so the border must be open" kind of guys.

You're an easy target for right-wing media and politicians to manipulate. Now your job is to spread their lies for them.

Get to work.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

--but I thought vaccinations weren't really necessary?

For me, no, but for the elderly, they probably should at this point.

I don't get it. You're blaming what the rightwing media have characterized as able-bodied young Latino men. Who don't need the vaccine because they're not elderly. And you're also saying that as unvaccinated people they're a public health menace. But people like you who refuse vaccination are not a public health menace.

That's some smooth reasoning.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

His new nickname is the Pied Piper of Covid-19. Carry on! You're doing a great job...................of killing your own voters. Carry on.

3 ( +7 / -4 )

Someone has to oppose the president. This is a basic part of US democracy. I hope people are not trying to limit DeSantis' free speech.

In theory that is true. The problem here is that the arguments used by the Republicans are not rational, not factual or data based. They argue conspiracy theories or conflate public health rules with attempts to control everyone's life forever. It is just not true. Republican arguments tend to be so crazy they are easily dismissed. There needs to be a rational, sober, adult opposition, not this freak show that the Republican Party has devolved into. I used to be Republican but not now. I want no part of these freaks, and freaks is really what they have become, along with their media. What ever happened to intellectual Republicans? All gone, run out by the nuts.

3 ( +6 / -3 )

Let's see just how popular Gov. Huff-puff is when Covid deaths ravage his state's population in the next few weeks including the young and healthy and children.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

That is one cause of it for sure,

Not really, no. It that was really the problem, we'd see higher case count in border counties, and not in Central/Northeast Florida. Your "theory" doesn't hold water.

only 7% of illegals are inoculated so with the hundreds of thousands pouring in, you’re just asking for it.

Oh, but I thought vaccinations weren't really necessary? I thought they were "ineffective." Come again?

3 ( +3 / -0 )

That's right, keep your focus on them "liberals". The GOP is in prime position to be removed as a viable political party due to their behavioral issues and mental issues. Something far better will be replacing these kooks.

DeSantis wants to run for president possibly in 2024? Considering how crazy and stupid he's been and how crazy and stupid the GOP has been? I hope he does...

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Not mentioned is that his prohibition against mask mandates, especially with regards to refusing to fund schools that do impose mask requirements, is probably illegal under Florida law. There are some good articles on this subject if one looks around but many attorneys are saying his statement has no legal standing and can be safely ignored.

2 ( +5 / -3 )

I knew the GOP was done after Obama was elected, but I didn't know it would morph into the party of total lies and narrative, with followers who cannot and will not look for truths, science or common sense.

Living things made up of DNA will mutate. It is a one constant of life. As one strain begins to fade, another will take its place. What should have happened is Trump listened to the science and put in preventive measures immediately, but, of course, ignored and fought the facts. This allowed for proliferation of the virus and anyone with foresight knew that with that, mutation would occur, and make the fight much more difficult.

His followers, for delusional reason are so into doublethink and lies, they have no idea what truth is, so they're digging hard to find any reason to back Trump and the GOP false information. It's incredible how stupid they are, and it is garbage, but they obviously have a voice that is resilient and will never want to find the truth.

Back in the day, they would have been condemned and knew it, but today's split society is allowing for the lack of common sense and decency. DeSantis is one of them. Florida could secede from democracy and become an isolated COVID state, with closed borders. And that'd be fine. I wouldn't care if they didn't wear masks, refused vaccines, and reap what they sow, because they're like petulant children who won't listen to anything.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

yet the top 2 states in COVID deaths?

California has almost twice the population of Florida. The number of deaths per 100,000 residents is higher for Florida than for California. California has recorded 163 deaths per 100,000 residents since the beginning of the pandemic while Florida has recorded 182. California with almost 40 million residents has a seven day average death count of 41. Florida with a population of 22 million has a seven day average of 58 deaths. There is the difference between good and bad public policy. Policy matters. it isn't all about control my friend. It is about saving lives however we can.

https://usafacts.org/visualizations/coronavirus-covid-19-spread-map/

1 ( +4 / -3 )

I hope people are not trying to limit DeSantis' free speech.

As a private citizen, he can say whatever dumb things he likes.

As a governor, he should actually care about the lives of people in his state. When the 2-3 hurricanes hit Florida and there are 20K people in intensive care too weak to be evacuated, I'll ask again, how many deaths are Floridians willing to take for this idiot?

He's making noise. If what he said was actually good ideas, it would be fine. His voice and actions are some of the dumbest in the country related to COVID.

There's no fix for stew-pid. He is proof.

BTW, California has a lower death rate than Florida, but there are many states with higher covid death rates. The NE was hit hard, early, before there were known treatments. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1109011/coronavirus-covid19-death-rates-us-by-state/

1 ( +4 / -3 )

Yeah, if liberals were right they wouldn’t be panicking about losing the House next year and if I were a Dem, I would be terrified. Again, this is why DeSantis and Abbot are Rock stars.

Yeah, whatever.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Btw, New York State's current seven day average number of deaths is 7. Florida has the highest number of deaths based on their 7 day average. Next is California at 41 with 40 million people followed by Texas with 39 deaths per day on a population of 20.8 million.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

A dumb ass governor whose state has the worst coronavirus rates in the USA. And he never changes or modifies his position, he just keeps saying the same dumb things over and over again.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

when Covid deaths ravage his state's population in the next few weeks including the young and healthy and children

Who actually believes this? Covid isn't ravaging any population except Cuomo's old folks' homes. Even in Japan isn't being ravaged. This is absolutely bonkers.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Well, at least the deaths are down

For now. As you (should) know, deaths follow hospitalizations by a period of 4-6 weeks. So I am going to come back to this, another of your seemingly endless predictions. See you then.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

you and other liberals just can’t pin this guy down and you know it as well as you know he is right on every point and word he uttered.

You say that because you know that we liberals are right on every point and word we utter. Check mate. Close thread now.

0 ( +4 / -4 )

His state is leading the US in re-infection rates and this clown is doing more MAGA-standup comedy....

It's all he and his fellow Repub Governors can do - with perhaps the exception of Alabama Repub Kay Ivey who correctly stated; "Blame the un-vaccinated for the surge" and Arkansas Repub Asa Hutchinson who admitted "I was wrong on banning mask mandates"...

https://www.politico.com/news/2021/07/23/alabama-governor-covid-vaccinations-500638

https://www.npr.org/2021/08/04/1024939859/arkansas-governor-reverse-law-let-schools-require-masks

Abbott and DeSantis, who really sound and act like Abbott and Costello, rant about Critical Race Theory and transgender bathrooms while their hospitals overflow and the graveyards fill up...

This even after their sainted hero and cult leader assured the MAGA-masses that "the vaccine is safe and it works"....but the masses aren't buying that - just look at the comments from the pro-Trump folks here...

Red states are dying - literally....

0 ( +3 / -3 )

Biden is doing his job.

DeSantis is catastrophically failing at his.

DeSantis wasn't so mad at Biden six weeks ago when he went begging for Joe to help him with the consequences of that building collapse. He even snubbed a meeting with Trump to meet with Joe instead.

Joe not only did his job during that crisis, he did Ron's job, too, since Ron clearly wasn't capable of it.

0 ( +4 / -4 )

I hope people are not trying to limit DeSantis' free speech.

DeSantis' speech is definitely not being limited. He gets plenty of exposure on Fox and other rightwing propaganda outlets, as well as on social media. And we're reading about him here.

The role of the press is to call out statements and policies that cause public harm. In this case DeSantis is not working for the benefit of Floridians, he is working for his own political benefit by trying to channel the deranged minds of Donald Trump and his cult.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

This is all just political positioning by DeSantis. He sees COVID as an opportunity and nothing more.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

Death rates are low in Florida. And vaccination rates pretty high. Except among Hispanics. Despite it being a choice destination for many of those processed by border security.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

I just love this guy.

Me too! Carry on.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Deaths per 100,00 people

https://www.statista.com/statistics/1109011/coronavirus-covid19-death-rates-us-by-state/

New Jersey, New York, Massachusetts, Rhode Island....

Florida? #26

-1 ( +5 / -6 )

yet the top 2 states in COVID deaths?

California and New York

https://www.statista.com/statistics/1103688/coronavirus-covid19-deaths-us-by-state/

-3 ( +5 / -8 )

You say that because you know that we liberals are right on every point

Huh? Lol

Yeah, if liberals were right they wouldn’t be panicking about losing the House next year and if I were a Dem, I would be terrified. Again, this is why DeSantis and Abbot are Rock stars.

-5 ( +3 / -8 )

DeSantis' speech is definitely not being limited. He gets plenty of exposure on Fox and other rightwing propaganda outlets, as well as on social media. And we're reading about him here.

Yes.

The role of the press is to call out statements and policies that cause public harm.

Funny, wish they would do that more to the left, but sadly….

In this case DeSantis is not working for the benefit of Floridians, he is working for his own political benefit by trying to channel the deranged minds of Donald Trump and his cult.

What a bunch of Bull! The majority of Floridians love this guy and the left, this WH and the media know this and they are doing everything possible to get this guy as I predicted and it’s failing miserably, but like he said, if Biden would concentrate on the border, seal it instead of letting in millions of people who are only 7% vaccinated and then by the plane and truckloads are distributed throughout the US secretly and many ending up in Florida, it’s no wonder the numbers are contributing to the rising spiking surge.

-5 ( +0 / -5 )

@HonestDictator

Who's going to remove the GOP? You? The CDC? Do you even know how any of this works?

-5 ( +0 / -5 )

You just love obnoxious circus clowns who mouth off about "liberals".

In the same way, the obnoxious left do the same to conservatives, yes.

That's the low bar required to become a "rock star" in today's GOP.

Sure put Biden in his place, if it works for the left, the right should equally use the same tactic.

Watch tough guy DeSantis beg for federal assistance when Floria gets battered by another hurricane.

If that we’re to happen under this administration and they would hold out aid based on their disdain or political differences, that would greatly show how politically partisan this administration is and that politics is more important than the people that would be suffering, that wouldn’t help Biden’s popularity.

-6 ( +3 / -9 )

Not really, no. It that was really the problem, we'd see higher case count in border counties, and not in Central/Northeast Florida. Your "theory" doesn't hold water.

What a bunch of crap, the border is a sieve, it wasn’t like that under Trump, even illegals were on record stating how hard it was to get in the states, Kamala didn’t go to the border because she knew the optics it would send to Mexico and people down south that they don’t have the border under control. No one is listening to this White House on the issue of immigration and funny that none of the lib networks won’t put on any CBP agent on, they will put every left leaning hack on there, but never the people or even ICE agents on their shows in great length

Oh, but I thought vaccinations weren't really necessary?

For me, no, but for the elderly, they probably should at this point.

-6 ( +0 / -6 )

I don't get it. You're blaming what the rightwing media have characterized as able-bodied young Latino men.

I never said that! The illegals coming south across the border in our country are mostly vaccinated. That’s the job of the Mexican government to fix, not ours.

Who don't need the vaccine because they're not elderly. And you're also saying that as unvaccinated people they're a public health menace.

Yes.

But people like you who refuse vaccination are not a public health menace. 

I live thankfully far away from people in both places so I’m not the problem

-6 ( +0 / -6 )

thousands of people a week with COVID are at our border. Over 100 countries represented there so every variant in the world walking right in to the USA then being bussed to Florida and many other states.

fix your border Biden then talk.

-7 ( +7 / -14 )

“He has become, I would argue, the leading voice of opposition to the Biden administration,” said Rob Bradley, a Republican who recently left the Florida Senate because of term limits. “It’s not a surprise to see Biden and DeSantis going at it.”

Someone has to oppose the president. This is a basic part of US democracy. I hope people are not trying to limit DeSantis' free speech.

-7 ( +3 / -10 )

Biden’s plan worked. Contaminate the Southern States with COVID under the cover of millions of illegal immigrants. Then blame Florida and Texas.

Exactly.

-7 ( +0 / -7 )

This is one of my faves. Conservatives are going around saying Biden opened the borders

He did.

and now infected illegals are traveling to Florida and that's the reason why the numbers are so high.

That is one cause of it for sure, only 7% of illegals are inoculated so with the hundreds of thousands pouring in, you’re just asking for it.

Let's see just how popular Gov. Huff-puff is when Covid deaths ravage his state's population in the next few weeks including the young and healthy and children

Well, at least the deaths are down, if the Dems think they have even a remote chance of getting DeSantis out by trying this stunt, they will lose so badly on this one.

-7 ( +0 / -7 )

bass4funkToday  09:55 am JST

Yeah, if liberals were right they wouldn’t be panicking about losing the House next year and if I were a Dem, I would be terrified. Again, this is why DeSantis and Abbot are Rock stars.

Yes--this overflow of emotions by Democrats, still reeling from Hillary's loss, is going to inspire more conservative voters to put the House back in order.

-7 ( +0 / -7 )

I just love this guy. No wonder this guy is a rock star. He gets points for check listing and checkmating Biden and Psaki as they should have been, long overdue.

-9 ( +4 / -13 )

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