For DeSantis, Hurricane Idalia comes at a critical point in his campaign
CBSN
Managing a major storm is historically a make-or-break moment for governors running for office, and Hurricane Idalia isn't likely to be an exception for Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.
Idalia, which whipped Florida's Big Bend with storm surges and powerful winds Wednesday, comes as DeSantis is struggling to make the case that the Republican presidential primary is a two-man race between him and former President Donald Trump. For DeSantis, whose campaign has burned through cash and whose poll numbers didn't benefit from last week's debate, the storm offers a chance to showcase his leadership skills on the national stage. The Florida governor has taken a break from the campaign trail to focus on managing the storm.
How a governor or a president manages the fallout from a major storm can embed images and impressions in voters' minds for years to come.
On the eve of the D-Day invasion, Gen. Dwight Eisenhower spent the remaining hours of daylight with the paratroopers who were about to jump behind German lines into occupied France. A single moment captured by an Army photographer became the most enduring image of America's greatest military operation.
This story previously aired on March 6, 2016. Child Advocate: Do you know why you are here today? 911 operator: 911. What is your emergency? 911 operator: Is there anybody else in the house with you? Robin Doan [to 911]: I so hope my mom is not dead. Robin Doan [to 911]: Please can you just send somebody out here? Robin Doan [to 911]: I'm cold. I'm very cold. Robin Doan [to 911]: I heard my mama scream ... Robin Doan [to 911]: I want my mom. I want my mom. Robin Doan [to 911]: It's on Highway 70. It's about 13.3 miles out from the bowling alley. I have a purple shirt on I have purple pants on. Robin Doan [to 911]: All I want right now is my blanket and my pillow. ... I see him. I see him. Robin Doan [advocate interview]: I really don't want to go to sleep anymore. It makes me to where I'm too scared. I really don't want to go to sleep. OK. Robin Doan [advocate interview]: He had shot in my room and missed me. Advocate: Did you hear anybody say anything. Could you hear anybody talking? Robin Doan [advocate interview]: I don't know this for sure but I thought I saw a white eyes ... a white face. Robin Doan [advocate interview]: And when he shot I saw a flash. Robin Doan [advocate interview]: I can't talk about it. It's too heartbreaking. Levi King interrogation: Before I even realized it, I mean, I'd just pointed it at him and fired.