Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has declined to meet with President Joe Biden during his visit to Florida on Saturday, September 2 to survey damage caused by Hurricane Idalia.
According to Fox News, DeSantis’ office said in a statement that the governor is “focused on the ongoing recovery efforts” and that “a meeting with the president would be a distraction.”
Biden’s office said that the president is “committed to working with Governor DeSantis and all levels of government to help the people of Florida recover from this storm.”
Ron DeSantis, governor of Florida shakes hands with residents during a visit after Hurricane Idalia in Horseshoe Beach, Florida, US, on Thursday, Aug. 31, 2023. Photo: Getty Images
The decision not to meet is likely to be seen as a political snub by Biden, who is facing a potential challenge from DeSantis in the 2024 presidential election.
DeSantis is a rising star in the Republican Party and has been praised for his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic in Florida. He is also a vocal critic of Biden and his policies.
The decision not to meet is also likely to be seen as a sign of the growing political divide in the United States. In recent years, it has become increasingly common for politicians to refuse to meet with their political opponents, even in the wake of natural disasters.
This trend is likely to continue as the political climate in the United States becomes more polarized.
The meeting was originally scheduled to take place in the town of Steinhatchee, which was one of the hardest-hit areas by Hurricane Idalia. DeSantis’s office said that the governor would instead be meeting with local officials and residents in Steinhatchee.
Biden is scheduled to arrive in Florida on Saturday morning and will be visiting several areas that were affected by the hurricane. He is also expected to meet with FEMA officials to discuss the federal government’s response to the disaster.
The decision not to meet is likely to have political implications, as it could be seen as a sign of DeSantis’s willingness to challenge Biden in the 2024 presidential election.
It is also likely to be seen as a reflection of the growing political divide in the United States, as it has become increasingly common for politicians to refuse to meet with their political opponents.
The decision is also likely to be met with criticism from some who believe that it is important for political leaders to put aside their differences and work together in the wake of a natural disaster.
by: Lydia_writes