News Reedy Creek Improvement District and the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District

[JohnD]

I agree with those who would raise an eyebrow at the idea that what DeSantis wants to be talking most about this as he launches a presidential bid is his legal battle with Disney. Does he really want to be standing on that stage announcing his candidacy and telling people to vote for him as the one leader who had the courage to take on Walt Disney World? I would think he'd want to be talking about the legislation he did pass that makes him look like an effective culture warrior, not a protracted and costly legal battle with Disney over their First Amendment rights that his legislation sparked and which could go either way.

As some may have figured out by now, I'm a Republican but if he announces for President he's going to have to answer this question which would be of more concern in the primary: How do you square being against weaponizing the government at the Federal level but seem okay with it at the state level?

 

[PizzaPlanet]

They would still have to get him to agree to recite a speech. I don’t think he will.

Might not even need to at his point with how far AI voices have come.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

Except, again, that is false. She received more votes than Donald Trump.

She probably should have gone to Wisconsin.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

What makes you think independents would “hate” Biden more than DeSantis? Seems unlikely. He’s old and kinda boring but not much about him that’s particularly hate worthy.

Incumbents take the blame when things are bad and things are bad.

 

[James Alucobond]

I don’t think VP is a if factor for most voters. His age might make it a little more relevant but he wasn’t a spring chicken last time around either. I also think most of the “hate” for Harris is from people who already won’t vote for Biden anyway. The independents and moderates are who matters.

Probably getting off topic, so I’ll leave it at this … At the very least, it will be a bigger issue than it ever has been in living memory, especially if he runs against a younger opponent. Biden will be in the back half of his 80s by the end of a second term, so Harris stepping in becomes a very real possibility. I just think it’s disconcerting that even Biden hasn’t done much to elevate her; I don’t think you give someone the border crisis as a touchstone issue if you want them to succeed. I guess they’ve been rushing to rehab her image in recent weeks by giving her abortion and AI, but it’s really late in the game. Would also help if she could manage to comport herself in a way that was halfway relatable.

 

[mikejs78]

To the general public, DeSantis is not taking on Walt Disney World. It was the Disney CEO (headquartered in California) that criticized the Parental Rights In Education Act. It was the Disney CEO (headquartered in California) who said, "Our goal as a company is for this law to be repealed by the legislature or struck down in the courts."

News outlets are not framing this as a WDW/DeSantis battle; they are framing this as a Disney/DeSantis battle.

Disney is one of the richest, most liberal companies in the United States.

Previously, I posted a link to a Washington Post article titled: Most Americans Support ... Policies Favored by GOP, Polls Show. (Edited the exact title to avoid veering into politics.) This is not the New York Post; this is a Washington Post poll.

Fighting "woke corporate America" is a winning strategy for Republicans. (This is how DeSantis will frame it.)

There are other things that DeSantis (and other Republicans) are doing that will cost them in the general election. Fighting "woke corporate America" is not one of them.

P.S. I'm not trying to justify DeSantis' strategy; just explain it. Some are acting like DeSantis is an idiot. He's not. Whether his strategy will work, we'll know in less than 12 months.

As I wrote before, he's behind Trump in the polls and has decided the only way he's going to win is by going all-in.

I'm explaining a strategy, not justifying it.

Whether it's sports, business, or politics, you have a much better chance of defeating your opponent if you dispassionately analyze their plan. Figure out what they are trying to do, and then use that against them.

I posted a link to the Washington Post article. That post got deleted so I am not reposting it. Try Googling Most Americans support policies favored by GOP, poll shows.

To be clear those polls asked about 2 separate issues (related topic) but not the specific bill passed in FL. It would be like saying because a poll shows the majority of Americans support universal background checks for guns that the majority support any gun related bill. I don’t think most Americans support what DeSantis is doing vs Disney.

The actual poll is a *lot* more nuanced than the headline suggests. I'm not going to post it here out of respect for the rules, but DeSantis comes out more extreme than most Americans. Happy to discuss over PM.

On more relevant data, Disney, in the Ipsos poll, 73% of Americans and 37% of Republicans are *less likely* to support a political candidate that "Supports or passes laws designed to punish a company for its political, social, or cultural stances."

When asked how they feel which statement comes closes to their view, 64% of Americans said "Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is punishing Disney for exercising their right to free speech" while only 36% of respondents agreed with "Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is rightfully rolling back special treatment for Disney". That number was 36%-64% among Republicans.

When asked "Do you think Disney was acting within its right when it criticized the Florida law banning the discussion of sexuality and gender in public schools last year?", a majority (55%) said Yes, and only 23% said No (with 22% saying "don't know".). Among Republicans it was 40%-38%-22%.

When asked "How has your opinion of the Florida Governor Ron DeSantis changed, if at all, as a result of the fight over LGBTQ+ issues in Florida?". 23% said "more favorable". 42% said "less favorable", while 36% said no change.

You're reading this wrong. This hurts DeSantis and has the potential to really hurt him if this stays in the news.

 

[networkpro]

Probably getting off topic, so I’ll leave it at this … At the very least, it will be a bigger issue than it ever has been in living memory, especially if he runs against a younger opponent. Biden will be in the back half of his 80s by the end of a second term, so Harris stepping in becomes a very real possibility. I just think it’s disconcerting that even Biden hasn’t done much to elevate her; I don’t think you give someone the border crisis as a touchstone issue if you want them to succeed. I guess they’ve been rushing to rehab her image in recent weeks by giving her abortion and AI, but it’s really late in the game. Would also help if she could manage to comport herself in a way that was halfway relatable.

Unfortunately, she's just the latest iteration of the "Dan Quail" placeholder. Someone that checks some boxes but doesn't present a threat or viable replacement.

 

[JohnD]

Unfortunately, she's just the latest iteration of the "Dan Quail" placeholder. Someone that checks some boxes but doesn't present a threat or viable replacement.

"Dan Quail". Is that like him misspelling potato as "potatoe"? He's Dan Quayle, BTW.

 

[networkpro]

"Dan Quail". Is that like him misspelling potato as "potatoe"? He's Dan Quayle, BTW.

Freudian slip. Small bird best suited to be baked and floating in gravy.

 

[flynnibus]

Returning to the NBC News article, which is specific to DeSantis:

How about we drop the campaign analysis and projections so we can stay on topic and less about the presidential elections?

 

[GoofGoof]

Returning to the NBC News article, which is specific to DeSantis:

Ron DeSantis bets big on his Disney feud​

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has heard plenty of warnings from donors, supporters and consultants that he's foolish for going up against Disney. People love Disney World. Waging this public fight is bad for Florida's economy. It’s even worse politics, they say.​

​

But Republicans who would make up the voter base in a presidential primary may see it differently. NBC News interviewed nearly three dozen potential voters, strategists and pollsters, finding a picture of a primary electorate that is skeptical of Disney and supportive of DeSantis calling out the corporate behemoth.​

​

That finding is bolstered by three surveys that demonstrate support for DeSantis over Disney among Republicans — though DeSantis is taking a much bigger risk once Democrats and independents weigh in.​

NBC News is reporting that this is helping DeSantis among primary voters.

Again quoting from the article:

“The people that say this is an issue that’s going to cost him and is ruining his chances, I think, are just blatantly not right about that,” said Michael Binder, faculty director of the Public Opinion Research Lab at the University of Northern Florida, which conducted one of the surveys that showed DeSantis with much higher approval than Disney among Republicans.​

​

Binder noted longtime tensions among Floridians and Disney, and pointed out that if DeSantis is to compete in a presidential primary, he'll need to make some noise.​

​

“You can’t get to the general unless you get through the primary," he said. "And Donald Trump takes up a lot of space.”​

DeSantis first has to win the primary.

Again, it's the strategy they've decided to employ based on where they are in polling against Trump. I'm not saying you have to like it. I'm just trying to explain it.

Longterm tensions between Floridians and Disney….how dare they pay over a billion and taxes and employ 75,000 in the state. I wonder if that guy posts here. RCID was a problem from day 1

 

[Chi84]

Returning to the NBC News article, which is specific to DeSantis:

Ron DeSantis bets big on his Disney feud​

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has heard plenty of warnings from donors, supporters and consultants that he's foolish for going up against Disney. People love Disney World. Waging this public fight is bad for Florida's economy. It’s even worse politics, they say.​

​

But Republicans who would make up the voter base in a presidential primary may see it differently. NBC News interviewed nearly three dozen potential voters, strategists and pollsters, finding a picture of a primary electorate that is skeptical of Disney and supportive of DeSantis calling out the corporate behemoth.​

​

That finding is bolstered by three surveys that demonstrate support for DeSantis over Disney among Republicans — though DeSantis is taking a much bigger risk once Democrats and independents weigh in.​

NBC News is reporting that this is helping DeSantis among primary voters.

Again quoting from the article:

“The people that say this is an issue that’s going to cost him and is ruining his chances, I think, are just blatantly not right about that,” said Michael Binder, faculty director of the Public Opinion Research Lab at the University of Northern Florida, which conducted one of the surveys that showed DeSantis with much higher approval than Disney among Republicans.​

​

Binder noted longtime tensions among Floridians and Disney, and pointed out that if DeSantis is to compete in a presidential primary, he'll need to make some noise.​

​

“You can’t get to the general unless you get through the primary," he said. "And Donald Trump takes up a lot of space.”​

DeSantis first has to win the primary.

Again, it's the strategy they've decided to employ based on where they are in polling against Trump. I'm not saying you have to like it. I'm just trying to explain it.

In my opinion, the Disney fight is not what’s going to kill DeSantis’ chances.

 

[GoofGoof]

How about we drop the campaign analysis and projections so we can stay on topic and less about the presidential elections?

Fair point. I’m guilty too but it’s a good time to end that discussion

 

[mikejs78]

Returning to the NBC News article, which is specific to DeSantis:

Ron DeSantis bets big on his Disney feud​

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has heard plenty of warnings from donors, supporters and consultants that he's foolish for going up against Disney. People love Disney World. Waging this public fight is bad for Florida's economy. It’s even worse politics, they say.​

​

But Republicans who would make up the voter base in a presidential primary may see it differently. NBC News interviewed nearly three dozen potential voters, strategists and pollsters, finding a picture of a primary electorate that is skeptical of Disney and supportive of DeSantis calling out the corporate behemoth.​

​

That finding is bolstered by three surveys that demonstrate support for DeSantis over Disney among Republicans — though DeSantis is taking a much bigger risk once Democrats and independents weigh in.​

NBC News is reporting that this is helping DeSantis among primary voters.

Again quoting from the article:

“The people that say this is an issue that’s going to cost him and is ruining his chances, I think, are just blatantly not right about that,” said Michael Binder, faculty director of the Public Opinion Research Lab at the University of Northern Florida, which conducted one of the surveys that showed DeSantis with much higher approval than Disney among Republicans.​

​

Binder noted longtime tensions among Floridians and Disney, and pointed out that if DeSantis is to compete in a presidential primary, he'll need to make some noise.​

​

“You can’t get to the general unless you get through the primary," he said. "And Donald Trump takes up a lot of space.”​

DeSantis first has to win the primary.

Again, it's the strategy they've decided to employ based on where they are in polling against Trump. I'm not saying you have to like it. I'm just trying to explain it.

That NBC article is just a few interviews of people at the villages. There are other people who say it's hurting him. Why have so many Republicans come out and criticized him, and not just people who are running? I don't think the numbers add up to this being a help for him in the primaries.

 

[mikejs78]

Ok I'll stop here too. Happy to continue over PM if anyone wants to.

 

[SteveAZee]

Only difference here is Steve is free to boot anyone from this board for any reason he deems, including waking up in a bad mood one day and feeling like taking it out on a random person.

I think he should banish all those not named Steve.

 

[Krandor]

That NBC article is just a few interviews of people at the villages. There are other people who say it's hurting him. Why have so many Republicans come out and criticized him, and not just people who are running? I don't think the numbers add up to this being a help for him in the primaries.

I'll only say I am a republican who initially was supporting him for president. For many reasons this fight has made him lose my support because this fight doesn't match what I believe in and I'll leave it at that.

 

[mkt]

A gift link for the board:

https://wapo.st/3HMrFjS

Disney expands lawsuit to include new DeSantis-backed legislation​

The entertainment giant alleges that a measure signed into law Friday was drafted solely to target its Walt Disney World Resort development​

The Walt Disney Co. on Monday expanded its lawsuit alleging retaliation by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis to include new regulations passed by the state’s legislature that allow officials to nullify development agreements brokered by the entertainment giant.

DeSantis (R), who is weighing a presidential run, signed legislation Friday giving the special board that oversees government services in and around the Walt Disney World Resort the authority to void existing contracts.

The law disallows any Florida special district from complying with a development agreement executed within three months of any separate law modifying how board members are selected.

Disney, in an amended legal complaint, said the legislation signed Friday was drafted to solely target its development.
“Governor DeSantis and his allies have no apparent intent to moderate their retaliatory campaign any time soon,” Disney’s complaint reads.

Disney’s lawsuit, originally filed in late April, alleged that the governor was attempting to punish the company for its opposition to the Parental Rights in Education Act, which prohibits lessons on sexual orientation and gender identity in public schools through the third grade.

After Disney denounced the legislation — which critics dubbed the “don’t say gay” bill — the Florida legislature at DeSantis’s urging passed a measure to seize control of the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District, formerly called the Reedy Creek Improvement District.

The 39-square-mile jurisdiction that includes Disney World has special privileges that allow it to maintain its own utilities, infrastructure and public safety services and impose its own taxes.
DeSantis and the state legislature abolished that district — whose commissioners were senior Disney executives — and established a new one with commissioners appointed by the governor.

But before the outgoing commission was dissolved, officials signed a new contract with Disney that restricts the new board’s ability to regulate the region. It also included a clause that extends the agreement until 21 years after the death of the last survivor of the descendants of King Charles III of England.

In the amended complaint, Disney — which is Florida’s largest employer and reported $82.7 billion in 2022 revenue — invoked statements DeSantis made to reporters on Friday about new law.

“This all started, of course, with our parents’ rights bill,” the governor said.

DeSantis, who has still yet to officially declare his candidacy for the 2024 presidential race, trails former president Donald Trump for the Republican nomination by 29.1 percentage points, according to a recent ABC News-Washington Post poll.

 

[Krandor]

A gift link for the board:

https://wapo.st/3HMrFjS

It is funny in an ironic way. DeSantis wants disney to shut up (that seems to be his goal here) but he has no restraint in saying whatever he wants and the more he says and the more he tries to "punish" disney and then go in front of the microphones and admit it the more stuff is going to get added to the lawsuit.

I can guarantee you this is not going to be the last addition to the lawsuit because he just has no way to not talk about this while disney is letting thier lawsuit speak for them and letting him hang himself with everything he says about this.

Disney is employing the shut up if you enemy is destroying themselves technique.

 

[Krandor]

Except in doing so there are professional standards and ethics they are held to when working before the court and for their clients. A standard that doesn't apply when the guy is just trying to pay off his bad credit card debt by creating click-bait youtube content. You can't compare what he is doing at all with the teams actually involved with in the case.

And let's be honest, the disney side has been silent in the public and are just letting their filing tell their story. They seem perfectly content to just let this play out in court instead of court of public opinion.