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Zero Cool's avatar

Regarding the 2026 midterms, in order for FL Democrats to get traction, I think the Florida Democratic Party needs to come to terms with what their real stance should be on Cuba and U.S. relations with it.

Currently, as a result of President Biden's decision to undo the sanctions on Cuba and delist the country as a terrorism sponsor, FL Democrats such as Rep. Jared Moskowitz, FL Democratic Party Chair Nikki Freed and Former State Senator Annette Taddeo are ripping Biden a new one over this decision.

However, Biden was faced with a difficult situation with the Catholic church over releasing prisoners had this decision not been made. He may have also handed Trump a liability should he as POTUS reverse Biden's executive order. This would present a major headache for Marco Rubio if he serves as Secretary of State, especially given he's Cuban-American.

I don't see what's socialist about the U.S. trading with Cuba with making necessary trade-offs for the government to change so that the country doesn't become another Venezuela. One of the trade-offs could include Cuba having a market economy and the government moving away from Communist rule. That of course would take a lot of time.

https://www.axios.com/2025/01/15/biden-cuba-terrorism-florida-democrats-trump

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Paleo's avatar

Yes, because being “tough on Cuba” has worked so well for Florida Democrats. It’s wrong on policy and unsuccessful politically. And has allowed a small group primarily in Florida to hold U.S.-Cuban foreign policy hostage.

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Toiler On the Sea's avatar

I agree; the Florida Dem party imploded when the Cuba stance was status quo; IMO with the Batista generation increasingly moving on demographically speaking I don't think we have much to lose by forging a new path here, especially since it's good policy (IMO to treat Cuba like North Korea while we play footsie with Saudia Arabia is the height of inconsistent and hypocritical foreign policy; especially given Cuba no longer poses practically any threat to the U.S. militarily).

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ArcticStones's avatar

Some of Florida’s Cuban-Americans would love to bring back Fulgencio Batista or his equivalent. I very much doubt many members of the other Hispanic communities in Florida share their view.

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Avedee Eikew's avatar

I lived in the Keys when Obama announced the talks with Cuba in January of 15 and even then the freakout of the local GOP Reps. over this seemed detached from the population. i'd also just say Hillary Clinton won Miami-Dade by 30 some points 20 months later. Outside of the base Rs I don't think it matters as much as people seem to think in S FLA but Its been about nine 1/2 years since I last lived there.

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Andrew's avatar

Agreed. Seems like a niche issue where the people that care REALLY care while everyone doesn’t care at all. Most voters care about taxes, education, inflation, etc.

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Jonathan's avatar

it's not a major issue here

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Jonathan's avatar

The Florida Democratic party should never have a foreign policy that's not compatible with national interests

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Jonathan's avatar

The 'average' Floridian has much more important local issues that they care about(especially if Trump actually carries through with his agenda)

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