‘It’s Complicated’: Dems Snark At DeSantis For ‘Taking Credit’ As Maskless Florida Booms

As Democrat lockdown governors Gavin Newsom and Andrew Cuomo struggle like drowning mice to lead their states out of ‘science’-based pandemic restrictions while embroiled in political scandals, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R) – who notably did not lock down his state – is looking so good that even CNN hit pieces can’t help but give him credit for a booming economy and low COVID numbers – even if they only go so far as to call it a happy accident.

In a Wednesday article titled “A year into the pandemic, Florida is booming and Republican Gov. DeSantis is taking credit,” CNN‘s Jeff Zeleny writes:

As many parts of the country embark on an uneasy march toward normalcy, Florida is not only back in business — it’s been in business for the better part of the past year. DeSantis’ gamble to take a laissez faire approach appears to be paying off — at least politically, at least for now, as other governors capturing attention in the opening phase of the pandemic now face steeper challenges.

 

Despite far fewer rules and restrictions, Florida lands nearly in the middle of all states on a variety of coronavirus metrics. The state has had about 3% more Covid-19 cases per capita than the US overall, but about 8% fewer deaths per capita.

“If you look at what’s happening in South Florida right now, I mean this place is booming. It would not be booming if it was shut down,” DeSantis said last month as tourist season began to heat up. “Los Angeles isn’t booming. New York City’s not booming. It’s booming here because you can live like a human being.” 

Better luck next time, @CNNPolitics pic.twitter.com/oMZ7YQfDFw

— Drew Holden (@DrewHolden360) March 17, 2021

California, meanwhile, refuses to disclose the COVID-19 data they used to determine when lockdown orders are implemented or rescinded, while at least two judges and the Supreme Court have invalidated lockdown orders due to a lack of science, or challenged pro-lockdown rulings by lower courts, and several sheriffs of large counties have openly rebelled against Newsom’s edicts.

Newsom even issued a racial “equity requirement” that must be met before counties can move down a tier in lockdown restrictions.

DeSantis, on the other hand, has the wind at his back – as Florida enjoys an unemployment rate of just 4.8% compared to 6.8% in Texas, 8.8% in New York and 9% in California. Meanwhile, Florida has recorded around 9,200 COVID cases per 100,000 people and 150 deaths per 100,000 people, while nationwide there are an average of 8,969 cases and 163 deaths per 100,000 people.

“Those lockdowns have not worked. They’ve done great damage to our country,” he said at a Tallahassee press conference. “We can never let something like this happen again. Florida took a different path. We’ve had more success as a result.”

“We still have millions of kids across this country who are denied access to in-person education,” he added. “We still have businesses closed in many parts of this country. We have millions and millions of lives destroyed.”

CNN even took notice of the youngest governor in the nation’s political windfall.

With spring on the horizon, DeSantis suddenly appears to be in a position of strength compared to some of his fellow governors, including many of whom took far more restrictive approaches to the fight against coronavirus that caused a trickle-down effect on the economy.

 

He is not facing a potential recall like California Gov. Gavin Newsom, under investigation like New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo or being second-guessed for lifting a statewide mask mandate like Texas Gov. Greg Abbott.

Heavy D continues to impress. https://t.co/5LJuc870mm

— Jesse Kelly (@JesseKellyDC) March 17, 2021