Hurricane Will Suppressed GOP Vote In Panhandle

 

BY BUDDY NEVINS

 

God may be a Democrat because he sent massive Hurricane Michael to disrupt the GOP stronghold in the Florida Panhandle less than a month before the Election. 

My thinking is this: Voters aren’t going to be worried about going to the polls when their houses are wrecked, they have no power and their entire lives have been upended. 

There is no doubt that Michael will suppress at least some voting in the Panhandle. 

How does this help Democrats? Remember the area is nicknamed the Redneck Riviera.

Suppressing the vote in the GOP-dominated Panhandle means that a lot of Republicans won’t cast ballots. A lot of Democrats and independents who vote like Republicans won’t cast ballots, either.

In a state with a history of razor-thin victories in statewide races, a few votes can make a difference.

 

Gov. Rick Scott briefing media on hurricane

 

Sure, Gov. Rick Scott has had legitimate nonstop TV airtime dealing with the hurricane. Check out his schedule Wednesday morning (The afternoon has not been released as of this posting): 

 

 

7:00am                       INTERVIEW WITH JIM CANTORE, THE WEATHER CHANNEL

7:20am                       INTERVIEW WITH FOX & FRIENDS

7:40am                       INTERVIEW WITH JOHN BERMAN, CNN

8:00am                       INTERVIEW WITH CBS THIS MORNING

8:10am                       CALL WITH PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP REGARDING HURRICANE MICHAEL

8:30am                       HURRICANE MICHAEL BRIEFING AND PRESS CONFERENCE

Location:         State Emergency Operations Center

 

9:05am                       CALL WITH FEMA ADMINISTRATOR BROCK LONG REGARDING HURRICANE MICHAEL

 

9:35am                       CALLS REGARDING HURRICANE MICHAEL

Jimmy Patronis, Chief Financial Officer

Pam Bondi, Attorney General

Martha Saunders, President of University of West Florida

John Thrasher, President of Florida State University

 

10:10am                     INTERVIEW WITH PRESTON SCOTT, WFLA

10:15am                     INTERVIEW WITH LYNN HATTER, WFSU

10:30am                     CALL WITH TEXAS GOVERNOR GREG ABBOTT REGARDING HURRICANE MICHAEL

10:40am                     CALLS REGARDING HURRICANE MICHAEL

Elmon Garner, City of Chattahoochee Utilities, Jeff Householder, Florida Public Utilities

10:45am                     INTERVIEW WITH DR. SHANE COLLINS, WPAP

 

All that airtime could backfire.

“It’s a chance to show leadership, but it’s also a chance to fail at leadership,” said former Gov. Pat McCrory of North Carolina, in Wednesday’s New York Times. “People are observing the littlest of things — how you dress, how you pronounce things, your passion, your empathy — and you’re being evaluated moment by moment.”

McCrory faced a hurricane a month before the 2016 election, which he lost.

But will Scott acting gubernatorial draw enough voters away from U. S. Sen. Bill Nelson to offset the decreased GOP vote in the Panhandle? That’s something to watch. 

The hurricane is also a double-edged sword for Democrat Andrew Gillum’s gubernatorial campaign. The same possible suppression of the Republican vote could help him. But if the recovery is muffed in Tallahassee, watch for the GOP to point it out in ads across the state. 

Hurricane Michael has an immediate and disastrous impact on Florida. But its impact on politics may last for years.  

 

 

Closed.



2 Responses to “Hurricane Will Suppressed GOP Vote In Panhandle”

  1. Just One Vote says:
    October 10th, 2018 at 9:51 pm

    There are alot of voters, whether registered as Repub or Ind/NPA that will not vote for Scott for senate. I am one. His 8 years as gov when he did so little for the environment, water resources,etc. when he had enormous power to stop red tide and green slime is why. Along with other issues that would be of little interest to many. As to Gillam being elected, good luck. A Republican majority legislature would prevent alot of his agenda from becoming law. Thoughts and prayers to the FL Panhandla and all in Michael’s path in FL and north.

  2. City activist Robert Walsh says:
    October 11th, 2018 at 12:32 pm

    U r spot on Buddy.This massive storm will hurt the Republicans.U r correct.With peoples home so severly damaged the last thing on their minds is voting.Would not surprise me if Gov.Scott if he cannto delay Florida election.Sound impossible, it would not surprise me.If i were Gov.Scott and Desantis i would work together knock on doors in Panama City etc.Work with Fema.Get personal with these residents.Bring water, juices , food.The residents will appreciate this, in turn go and vote for u.This storm esp. hurt Densantis big time.He is allready trailing.He needs this section of Florida.So does Scott.Without the Panhandle support they both lose.Get up to Panama city .Fast…