The Florida senator can’t get traction with the party’s base ahead of a possible 2024 presidential bid.Sen. Rick Scott addresses the Conservative Political Action Conference. | Joe Raedle/Getty ImagesSen. Rick Scott has spent years courting MAGA supporters. But he can’t quite get them to love him.The billionaire-turned-politician is trying to build his own national brand ahead of a potential run for president, but some early stumbles — including a recent pivot away from Trump — aren’t endearing him with the base.“I would argue what he has done since the election has been confusing,” said...…The Florida senator can’t get traction with the party’s base ahead of a possible 2024 presidential bid.Sen. Rick Scott addresses the Conservative Political Action Conference. | Joe Raedle/Getty ImagesSen. Rick Scott has spent years courting MAGA supporters. But he can’t quite get them to love him.The billionaire-turned-politician is trying to build his own national brand ahead of a potential run for president, but some early stumbles — including a recent pivot away from Trump — aren’t endearing him with the base.“I would argue what he has done since the election has been confusing,” said...WW…

DeSantis, a Republican, called consideration of travel restrictions “absurd” and a “political attack on the people of Florida.”Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis answers questions during a press conference. | Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel via APTALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Thursday lashed out at the Biden administration, promising that the state would strongly and swiftly oppose any attempts to block Americans from traveling to the Sunshine State.DeSantis’ comments were in response to a Wednesday that quoted an unnamed White House official saying the administration was considering...…DeSantis, a Republican, called consideration of travel restrictions “absurd” and a “political attack on the people of Florida.”Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis answers questions during a press conference. | Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel via APTALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Thursday lashed out at the Biden administration, promising that the state would strongly and swiftly oppose any attempts to block Americans from traveling to the Sunshine State.DeSantis’ comments were in response to a Wednesday that quoted an unnamed White House official saying the administration was considering...WW…

The state party recorded one of the worst election performances in the country. Now comes an identity crisis.POLITICO Illustration / iStockTALLAHASSEE, Fla. — It wasn’t just one bad cycle. For Democrats in Florida, Election Day 2020 was a tipping point in a long, painful buildup to irrelevancy.After suffering crushing losses from the top of the ballot down, the state party now is mired in a civil war that could have profound consequences for future elections.High hopes for gains in the state Legislature have given way to recriminations and finger-pointing. Florida Democratic Party Chair...…The state party recorded one of the worst election performances in the country. Now comes an identity crisis.POLITICO Illustration / iStockTALLAHASSEE, Fla. — It wasn’t just one bad cycle. For Democrats in Florida, Election Day 2020 was a tipping point in a long, painful buildup to irrelevancy.After suffering crushing losses from the top of the ballot down, the state party now is mired in a civil war that could have profound consequences for future elections.High hopes for gains in the state Legislature have given way to recriminations and finger-pointing. Florida Democratic Party Chair...WW…

Ron DeSantis rode a Trump tweet to victory in Florida. Can he keep the pandemic at bay long enough to return the favor?Illustration by Zach MeyerTALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Ron DeSantis wanted names.We were in his office here in Florida’s Covid-shuttered Capitol, three reporters wearing masks spread out across from a non-masked DeSantis—stocky, suited and seated behind his desk stacked with thick binders and folders filled with county-by-county coronavirus data. He was flanked by two also maskless staffers and surrounded by carefully curated images and totems—snapshots of him in his Navy whites...…Ron DeSantis rode a Trump tweet to victory in Florida. Can he keep the pandemic at bay long enough to return the favor?Illustration by Zach MeyerTALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Ron DeSantis wanted names.We were in his office here in Florida’s Covid-shuttered Capitol, three reporters wearing masks spread out across from a non-masked DeSantis—stocky, suited and seated behind his desk stacked with thick binders and folders filled with county-by-county coronavirus data. He was flanked by two also maskless staffers and surrounded by carefully curated images and totems—snapshots of him in his Navy whites...WW…