The Brian Mudd Show

The Brian Mudd Show

There are two sides to stories and one side to facts. That's Brian's mantra and what drives him to get beyond the headlines.Full Bio

 

Florida’s Perfect Political Storm, Oil & Python Progress - Top 3 Takeaways

Florida’s Perfect Political Storm, Oil & Python Progress - Top 3 Takeaways – June 24th, 2022  

  1. The perfect storm. Red tide in Florida – no bueno. A red wave in Florida? Most Floridians would be happy to see it. Numerous polls and prognostications already suggest that’s the case. The last time a Republican was favored in the polls for governor in Florida? Charlie Crist was still a Republican. Yeah, 2006 – it's been a while. The last time Florida’s governor's race was considered “likely Republican”, Jeb Bush was running for reelection. Yeah, it's been twenty years. It’s no secret Florida’s rapidly moving from being considered the ultimate swing state – to what’s increasingly being perceived as reliably red. But the speed with which it’s happening has taken just about everyone by surprise. Blue state relocations to Florida were originally feared by Republicans as they’d bring their politics with them. They have. The rapid growth of Florida’s Hispanic population was hailed by Democrats as proof positive they’d flip Florida blue permanently. Little did they realize that reality is helping solidify Florida’s increasing red state status. What’s happened in Florida is a perfect storm. A Governor in Ron DeSantis who’s gone from being barely elected – to being the most notable governor in the country – due to successful leadership during a time of extreme adversity. A President in Joe Biden who’s brought us 41-year high inflation, a likely recession and sports the lowest approval ratings of any president in Florida since post-Watergate Nixon - working as an anchor against all things blue. But wait there’s more. Most Floridians believe there are two genders, don’t believe children should be sexualized in elementary school, don’t believe the country is inherently racist and believe in God – which is central to their lives. This all runs completely counter to the morally abhorrent cultural freakshow that is at the center of the Democrat party’s social politics these days. And that’s why we’re seeing month after month record Republican registrations, Democrat defections and the building conditions for the largest red wave Florida’s ever seen this fall. Based on the latest voter registration information from the state – Republican registrations outpaced Democrats by another 41,000 voters last month alone – leading to a new record of about 175,000 more registered Republicans than Democrats. It’s been the perfect political storm in Florida. 
  2. The blessing and the curse. Yeah, I’ve been warning of a possible recession since January based on leading economic indicators I pay attention to. No, I don’t want to see it happen. Yes, I want lower energy prices. No, I don’t want a recession to see it happen. On Tuesday I said this: The price of oil, at around $110 per barrel, is the lowest it's been in four weeks – or right around the time we were paying about 30 cents less than we are today. That means prices should gradually slide lower over the next couple of weeks to back around the $4.50 level. The question is what comes next. And based on current US energy policy – that's up to the economy. If there’s a lot of relief at the pump on the way – it’s likely a sign of recession. And that takes us to the blessing and the curse. Yes, we want lower gas prices. No, we don’t want a recession. The problem is without President Biden rescinding his executive actions inhibiting US energy production and supply, the reason prices are sliding is due to less demand. That’s less demand during what is typically the peak period of the year for demand...what does that tell you? The price of oil is off another five bucks a barrel since Tuesday – now around $105. That’s the lowest since May 11th. Back then average gas prices were $4.40 per gallon. More relief at the pump is on the way independent of what does or doesn’t happen with the proposed federal gas tax suspension. That’s the blessing. The obvious curse is that the reason the relief is on the way is due to increased odds of a recession this week.  
  3. Python progress. It’s not just news in South Florida, the recent capture of the largest python ever captured in the Everglades has been worldwide news. But while the rest of the world is allured by the clickbait of an 18-foot long 215-pound snake being yanked out of the ‘glades - it’s impact and most importantly how it was done – means much more here at home. The researchers responsible for the record reptile were from the Conservancy of Southwest Florida. The way they snagged the snake is likely the most important development yet for turning the tide on the python invasion. Researchers have taken to tagging males – which have taken them to the egg producing females. This record setter was found through this method and was buried so deep in the Glades’ brush researchers said they’d have never found her without tagging him. That’s the path forward from here and its doubtless significant python remediation progress. 

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