Now Ron DeSantis, who is highlighting national GOP wedge issues, is using a legal concept historically limited to the presidency as a justification to keep some information secret, attempting to undermine Florida’s public records laws. Via the Sun Sentinel:
DeSantis has invoked executive privilege on several occasions in recent court battles, a right that is not defined in state law or mentioned in the Florida Constitution.
Most recently, a Leon County judge recognized executive privilege in an order denying a public records request seeking the identities of “legal conservative heavyweights” DeSantis consulted when picking state Supreme Court justices.
That ruling isn’t binding on the courts, and other judges haven’t recognized a right to executive privilege in Florida.
So why is he doing this? Duh. He's running for president and wants voters to associate him with executive powers:
As soon as Gov. Ron DeSantis expressed outrage about the notion that some Florida high school students might learn about “queer theory” in a college-level course on African American studies, the political-cultural vortex revved up to high speed.
It’s become a familiar script in the last two years, especially as he has been seen as preparing to seek the 2024 Republican presidential nomination: DeSantis says something, critics erupt, fans fawn — and the facts and details are lost amid the resulting fury.
“This is just more proof that he’s running for president, because he’s taking on topics that he doesn’t need to be taking on in Florida. He just won reelection. He’s riding high. He doesn’t need to be opening up these fronts on the culture war, but he’s doing so,” said Charles Zelden, a professor of history and legal studies who specializes in politics and voting at Nova Southeastern University.
So he gets to play directly to the hardcore Republican primary voter, without having to account for the money that's pouring into groups like Moms for Liberty -- groups that are unofficial arms of his campaign. He won't fill out the paperwork and register as a 2024 campaign until it's to his advantage.
He's the honey badger. He don't give a sh*t!
