President Biden Calls Tampa Mayor But Declines To Call Florida Governor

Tampa Democratic Mayor Jane Castor Democratic Tampa Mayor Jane Castor took a phone call from President Biden on Tuesday during a press confer

Democratic Tampa Mayor Jane Castor took a phone call from President Biden on Tuesday during a press conference about the city’s response to Hurricane Ian.

While speaking about the impending storm, Castor pulled out her cell phone and said, “I think I got a call from the president,” as she walked offscreen.

Castors said that President Biden was calling to make sure that the city had needed resources in place and wished the city the best.

“He just wanted to ensure that we had all the resources we needed, and clearly just wishing us the best,” Castor said after returning to the press conference.

However, amid what could be the worst storm the Sunshine State has faced since Hurricane Michael four years ago, President Joe Biden apparently cannot pick up a phone to ask Gov. Ron DeSantis what resources the state may need.

“I have not personally spoken with the president, but the FEMA has approved our pre landfall request,” DeSantis said Tuesday. “We’ve had Gratia (FEMA) here, really from since the weekend, Gracia’s been here, she’s always around here and so we feel like we have a good relationship with FEMA. You know, I’m happy to brief the president if he’s interested in hearing what we’re doing in Florida.”

“You know my view on all this is you got people’s lives at stake. You’ve got their property at stake and we don’t have time for pettiness. We’ve got to work together to make sure we’re doing the best job for them. So my phone line is open and we do appreciate the quick approval, of the pre-landfall declaration,” DeSantis said.

White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters at a briefing on Monday that Biden had approved an emergency declaration for 20 counties in Florida because “that is the most important thing, to make sure that we are there for them in this time of need.”

“It’s about the people of Florida. It’s not about public officials, especially in this time,” she added, according to The Hill, whose headline — “White House, DeSantis put politics aside amid Hurricane Ian response” — seemed to be betrayed a few paragraphs later.

“The administration was adamant on Monday that any strife with DeSantis would not hinder the federal response to a natural disaster, even if there is no direct contact with the governor. Jean-Pierre said Biden had not spoken with DeSantis about the impending storm,” The Hill noted.

The Washington Examiner noted that Jean-Pierre “dodged multiple questions” about the lack of direct communication between Washington and Tallahassee.

And when she did respond, Jean-Pierre revealed that Biden apparently has a problem with GOP governors.

Pressed by reporters about the optics of refusing to talk with DeSantis, Jean-Pierre admitted that Biden also did not speak to Mississippi Republican Gov. Tate Reeves during the recent water crisis in Jackson, Mississippi, even though the federal government provided resources.

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