Politics
Last Call for 3.30.26 – A prime-time read of what’s going down in Florida
Last Call – A prime-time read of what’s going down in Florida politics.
First Shot
American Sovereignty is launching a new ad blitz in Florida’s Spring Break corridor.
The conservative group is rolling out billboards and aerial banner displays tying immigration enforcement to nightlife culture in tourist-heavy beach markets, including Pensacola and Destin.
The ads lean into party imagery with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement playing the “bouncer.”
A sampling of the slogans: “Keep the party American. Support ICE,” “ICE: America’s bouncers,” and “You don’t have to go home, but you can’t stay here,” the latter of which is dually attributed to bartenders at last call and ICE agents.
The Sunshine State push follows a broader series of national media buys by the group, including pro-ICE billboards timed for the Super Bowl in San Francisco and television spots focused on immigration and public safety messaging.
While the tone may seem glib to some, American Sovereignty said their message is on the right side of polling.
They cited majority support for tougher immigration enforcement, including deportations for undocumented immigrants convicted of crimes; a 2-to-1 majority who support deporting illegal immigrants; and an 82% share of Americans who believe it’s important for the U.S. to enforce immigration laws.
While the stats show support for immigration enforcement in the abstract, other polling suggests a more complicated picture. A recent Marist poll found more than 60% of Americans believe that ICE is making the country less safe, while YouGov earlier this month found half of U.S. residents support abolishing ICE compared to 39% who oppose eliminating the agency.
Critics are likely to argue the campaign trivializes a deeply polarizing federal issue, while immigration hardliners will likely see the tongue-in-cheek framing as a clever extension of the administration’s rhetoric.
Whether the ads persuade anyone will be tougher to gauge since the Panhandle’s Spring Break corridor draws as many — if not more — out-of-state visitors as local residents.
Evening Reads
—”Is Iran a political problem for Donald Trump? Tell me how long the war lasts.” via Nate Cohn of The New York Times
—”Trump approval just hit the 30s. Can his numbers get any lower?” via Nate Silver of the Silver Bulletin
—”The ‘wimpy’ President” via Chris Cillizza of So What
—”Dems quietly start their next big health care effort” via Jonathan Cohn of The Bulwark
—”The IRS wants smarter audits. Palantir could help decide who gets flagged” via Caroline Haskins of WIRED
—”Democratic Governor candidate joins calls for Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick to resign from Congress” via Anthony Man of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel
—”After Special Election wins, will it be Democrats expanding the congressional map in Florida?” via Jacob Ogles of Florida Politics
—”Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections says arrested man never worked election, stolen thumb drive contained fake voter data” via Frank Kopylov of Florida’s Voice
—“Cubans in Central Florida feel a change is coming, but concerns about deportations also rise” via Natalia Jaramillo of the Orlando Sentinel
—”How working in America became so joyless” via Mark Maurer and Chip Cutter of The Wall Street Journal
—”New lawsuit alleges DraftKings and FanDuel are digital heroin” via Judd Legum of Popular Information
“Don’t do it.”
— Republican U.S. Rep. Daniel Webster, on a mid-decade redraw of Florida’s congressional map.
Put it on the Tab
Look to your left, then look to your right. If you see one of these people at your happy hour haunt, flag down the bartender and put one of these on your tab. Recipes included, just in case the Cocktail Codex fell into the well.
If your dinner plans include phony Mayport shrimp, we’ve heard they pair well with counterfeit Albariño or, in a pinch, bogus Muscadet.
It’s time to scope out when the 11th annual ‘Walk in My Shoes’ trek is swinging through your town and pick the perfect post-workout drink to enjoy after your leg of the walk is complete.
Democrats may be riding high after last week, but U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds will take another No Fear ahead of what he expects to be a red November.
Breakthrough Insights
Tune In
Marlins try to remain perfect
Coming off a season-opening three-game sweep of the Colorado Rockies, the Miami Marlins open a three-game set against the Chicago White Sox (6:40 p.m. ET, Marlins.TV and MLB.TV).
The Marlins, one of five undefeated teams in Major League Baseball, won each game in the opening series by a single run, including a pair of 4-3 victories on Saturday and Sunday. Right fielder Owen Caissie is off to a hot start with five hits in 10 at-bats. Caissie has a pair of doubles, a home run, and four runs batted in while slugging 1.000.
Miami is scheduled to start Chris Paddack on the mound. The 30-year-old right-hander struggled last season with a 5-12 record and a 5.35 earned run average.
The White Sox have opened the season with three losses, dropping a series in Milwaukee by a combined score of 29-10. Chicago third baseman Munetaka Murakami hit three solo home runs in the season-opening series.
The White Sox are scheduled to send veteran right-hander Davis Martin to the mound for his first start of the season. Marting went 7-10 with a 4.10 ERA last season.
The series continues through Wednesday, and then the Marlins will hit the road for the first time this season with a three-game series in New York against the Yankees.
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Last Call is published by Peter Schorsch, assembled and edited by Phil Ammann and Drew Wilson, with contributions from the staff of Florida Politics.