Gov. More than a week after Hurricane Helene ravaged parts of the state, Ron DeSantis (R-Fla. ) is refusing to take calls from Vice President Kamala Harris regarding storm recovery efforts. And he does it for a very good cause.
Advertisement
According to a cause close to the situation, DeSantis has been avoiding the Democratic presidential nominee’s awareness because her calling” seemed political”, and the government is focused on healing, no fighting.  ,
” Kamala was trying to reach out, and we did n’t answer”, a DeSantis aide told NBC News, emphasizing that DeSantis is committed to keeping the focus on helping Floridians, not engaging in political posturing.
Instead, he’s been communicating directly with Federal Emergency Management ( FEMA ) Director Deanne Criswell.
DeSantis possible knows what Harris is trying to accomplish by reaching out in the wake of Hurricane Helene. He is not a veteran of the social game, and it is obvious Harris is seeking a second like the one Barack Obama shared with the then-New Jersey governor. Chris Christie battling Hurricane Sandy in 2012. In a time when there was a nationwide issue, Obama and Christie had a chance to appear political, and it helped him win back. Kamala recently shared a clearly staged videos of a contact between her and the Asheville, North Carolina, Democrat mayor.
I called Asheville president Elizabeth Manheimer earlier this week to see how our Management can continue to support relief and recovery work in western North Carolina.
As we discuss our continued work, I look forward to seeing her and different state and local officials immediately. photograph. twitter.com/oHN9Q15lQQ
— Vice President Kamala Harris ( @VP ) October 5, 2024
Advertisement
We’re supposed to assume that there were video monitors on both at the time, so they could get spliced up. DeSantis, however, is n’t about to be a pawn in Kamala’s campaign strategy. He wo n’t be her Chris Christie. He is aware that Kamala, the Democratic nominee for president, is good hoping for a photo-op or time of cohesion that will improve her standing in a tight competition.  ,
Recommended:  , A Time After October 7, Where Are the Victims?
He is avoiding a condition that might alter the tale by declining her calls, instead focusing on Floridians and their recovery, never on giving Harris a platform to make political points.
DeSantis and Joe Biden have not spoken, according to the assistant.
DeSantis claimed last week that Biden had called him, but he was unable to take the call because he was ill at the time. Although Biden was in northeast Florida last week to assess storm damage, DeSantis was holding a press event that had already been scheduled in another region of the state, so they did not attend. DeSantis was invited to the event in north Florida, according to a cause with knowledge of the planning.  ,
[…]
On Monday evening, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre was questioned about the NBC News report and whether political influence was being felt by the hurricane answer.
” That’s really for the government to speak to, right”? She responded, claiming Biden had been contacted by the White House to visit the wind injury.
” It was his choice… to not participate or not be there with the chairman…. It is up to him”, she added. ” We are doing our portion, in the Biden-Harris management, working — obviously FEMA is function — is on the floor, all hands on deck, full of state. Robust strategy here. And therefore, again, that’s for Gov. To speak with DeSantis.
Advertisement
Biden has not attempted to contact the government about Hurricane Milton, which is now heading toward Florida, according to two additional resources from DeSantis ‘ company.