Hurricane Idalia thrusts Biden-DeSantis rivalry back in spotlight

WASHINGTON − As Hurricane Idalia barreled into Florida's gulf coastline Wednesday morning as a Category 3 tropical cyclone, Gov. Ron DeSantis and President Joe Biden faced new tests to demonstrate leadership during the historic storm and again prove they can work together despite their rivalry.

DeSantis left the Republican primary campaign trail in Iowa to return to Tallahassee over the weekend. The governor set out to show he can lead the state through a crisis while running for the White House − even as he lags far behind primary frontrunner Donald Trump.

Biden faces another natural disaster after his response to deadly wildfires in Hawaii earlier this month was widely panned by Republican critics − including DeSantis − as slow, tone deaf and insensitive.

Each stands a lot to gain from being in charge in the eyes of voters. And, a lot to lose if the situation devolves into a fight.

"For any political leader that occupies an executive position, these are the types of events that are critically important in terms of showcasing the symbolism of government essentially doing its job in an emergency," said Joshua Scacco, associate professor of political communication at the University of South Florida.

Biden, DeSantis seek to project readiness and cooperation

• Damage assessment begins: Hurricane Idalia, the most severe hurricane to hit the Big Bend region of Florida in more than a century, brought 15-foot storm surges and winds topping 125 mph before it quickly powered through Florida and Georgia and headed for the East Coast. Federal and state damage assessments have begun.

• 'Ready to mobilize': Biden, in an address from the White House Roosevelt Room, said he spoke by phone with DeSantis and other governors in Hurricane Idalia's path. "We have to remain vigilant and there's much more to do," said Biden, who approved an early emergency declaration for Florida. "If there's anything the states need right now, I'm ready to mobilize that support."

• FEMA director headed to Florida: Deanne Criswell, administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, is set to meet with DeSantis and tour damage in Florida on Thursday. Criswell said more than 1,500 federal responders are on the ground including 500 urban search-and-rescue personnel. "The governor expressed that all of his needs are met currently," Criswell said of DeSantis.

• Recovery efforts underway: DeSantis has held multiple briefings to assure Floridians of his administration's readiness for the immediate storm and long-term hurricane recovery. He said efforts are underway to restore power to about 250,000 accounts, clean debris and downed trees and bring fuel to the area.

• 'Whatever we need to do'': "We're going to do whatever we need to do to help these local communities get back on their feet," said DeSantis, flanked by state officials while speaking behind a lectern with a state of Florida seal.

Biden on DeSantis: 'He trusts my judgement and my desire to help'

Biden, who is seeking reelection in 2024, and DeSantis, who is running for the Republican nomination to challenge Biden next November, are no strangers to teaming up during disasters.

Last October, Biden and DeSantis put aside their differences to work together during the response for Hurricane Ian, which killed 149 people in Florida and produced more than $100 billion in damages. Biden visited Florida in the aftermath of the catastrophic storm, telling reporters then, "We have very different political philosophies, but we’ve worked hand in glove."

In July 2021, Biden traveled to Surfside, Fla. to meet with DeSantis and first-responders following the collapse of a condo tower that killed 98 people.

Biden and DeSantis played nice following the condo tragedy as well, with the governor praising the Biden administration for limiting bureaucratic red tape in his dealings with the federal government.

Biden said Wednesday he and DeSantis have stayed away from politics in their talks this week about Hurricane Idalia.

"I know that sounds strange, especially how the nature of politics is today," Biden said. "I think he trusts my judgment and my desire to help, and I trust him to be able to suggest that this is not about politics. This is about taking care of the people of his state."

DeSantis confronts second Florida tragedy in less than week

For DeSantis, Hurricane Idalia presents the second emergency back at home in less than a week as his presidential campaign struggles to gain traction against Trump.

A Morning Consult national Republican primary poll this week found DeSantis in second place with support from 14% of primary voters but far behind Trump who is at 58%. DeSantis was at 34% in January.

DeSantis was loudly jeered and booed when he spoke in Jacksonville, Fla. during a vigil for three Black people killed Saturday inside a Dollar General store by a white man wearing a mask and carrying a gun painted with a swastika.

Some Florida Democrats blamed the "anti-woke" rhetoric of DeSantis for stoking racism in the state.

"You can't divorce the presidential campaign from what he's doing as governor right now," Sacco said, adding that anything he does as governor is also being viewed "through the lens of a presidential candidate in a Republican primary."

Carol Weissert, professor emerita of political science at Florida State University, said DeSantis isn't likely to get a boost in his presidential run for showing strong leadership during Hurricane Idalia but risks a setback if he doesn't.

"If something happens and he falls on his face, that could negatively affect him," Weissert said.

Biden works to show command after Maui criticism

With his administration's hurricane response, Biden is out to show componence as he faces continued concerns from voters about his age ahead of the 2024 election.

Republicans pounced on Biden when he initially said "no comment" while relaxing in Delaware when asked about the rising death toll of the Hawaii wildfires. The White House later said he didn't hear the question.

DeSantis was among those who piled on. "Are you kidding me?" the Florida governor said at last week's Republican primary debate. "As somebody that's handled disasters in Florida, you've got to be activated. You've got to be there. You've got to be present."

To project a president in command, the White House Wednesday posted a photo on X, formerly known as Twitter, of Biden on the phone while holding a map of Hurricane Idalia's path.

Biden also used his White House remarks to pledge the federal government's ongoing support in Maui, announcing $95 billion in accelerated funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to improve Maui's electricity grid and remove hazardous material and brush to withstand future storms and fires.

"They lost everything," Biden said, "and we're doing everything we can to move heaven and earth to help you rebuild and return to your lives." He added that the work in Maui is "going to take time, in some cases a long time" but vowed the federal government is "going to be with you every step of the way."

Reach Joey Garrison on X @joeygarrison.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Biden, DeSantis face dueling leadership tests with Hurricane Idalia