By Peter Schorsch, Phil Ammann, Jenna Buzzacco-Foerster, Mitch Perry and Jim Rosica
December 2, 2016
EARLY HAPPY BIRTHDAY WISHES to the great Ron Book, who turns 64 on Saturday. Recently, we learned that even this Superman has to slow down at some point. But we know Ron will pull through as he always has. Happy birthday to one of the best in the business, a great father and soon-to-be “Coach,” and a very generous soul. All the best, Ron.
PAM BONDI TO MEET WITH DONALD TRUMP via Michael Auslen of the Tampa Bay Times –It is planned for 1 p.m. in Trump Tower. The presidential transition has been silent about what Trump and Bondi, who are personal friends, will discuss. Bondi’s name has been mentioned in connection to several high-level positions, including White House “drug czar” and U.S. trade representative. She could also be nominated as a deputy or assistant U.S. attorney general or as a candidate to chair the Republican National Committee. However, she could also be wary of any job that would require a rigorous Senate confirmation process, as Bondi tends to cringe under critical spotlight. Bondi was an early Trump supporter and appeared alongside him at rallies around the state, as well as at the Republican National Convention. For the last week, Bondi has been out of the public eye, missing ceremonial events in the state Capitol, and her office has refused to respond to questions about where she is.
WE WOULD NOT BE SURPRISED IF BONDI ends up serving out the remainder of her term as Attorney General of Florida. Drug Czar is a thankless, low-wattage position that feels like more of a horizontal move for Bondi than a step up. Does she really want to tour the DEA office in El Paso? Of course, if the president-elect asks you to serve the country, you can’t say ‘no’ to that. But this entire situation seems, at this point, like a lose-lose for Bondi. Give up a statewide office in Florida to serve as a general in the losing War on Drugs or not take a position in the Trump administration and have everyone speculating why she didn’t (she didn’t want to go through the Senate confirmation process, etc.)
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