There was a guy named Bernie Sanders, a not-Democrat who liked to run in the Dems' presidential primaries. In February 2020, after Iowa and New Hampshire, he was the Democratic frontrunner and the major media couldn't have been happier. Feb. 22 NPR headline, Sanders Wins Nevada Caucus, Solidifying Front-Runner Status, for example. The Guardian March 15: How Sanders Went From Frontrunner to the Last-Chance Saloon.
I think Bulwark writers, and based on the comments its readers, are under estimating DeSantis. There's a reason, you hear Republicans describe him as 'Trump with Brains'. Republicans voters largely like Trump, DeSantis has the ability to appeal to the Trump base and the traditional republican establishment. Like all parties, they want to win, and right now at least on paper DeSantis gives them the best chance. And DeSantis is shrewd enough to be able to use the Florida Governership to stay relevant among Repbulican primary voters by picking fights with the 'right' enemies.
It is certainly something to consider, but I wonder if the, "Trump with Brains" thing is based on what they wish was true. Cause here's the think about Trump that those on the right don't want to admit. The man has charisma and the ability to play an audience. He's got insult comic chops and timing. DeSantis has none of that. He might be odious like Trump and it would be hard not to be smarter than Trump, but that's not what is going to fire up the base.
If it comes down to a battle of non-trumps, DeSantis's lack of charisma is going to hurt him.
Republican pols care nothing about the country or anything except themselves. They’ll eat each other alive for the presidency. Stefanik is my rep and a perfect example of the amorality.
Re:Walker. Anybody running on union busting was never going to get my vote. Of course, this was pre-pivot to being the party of the working class. (Sorry, the lolz of that has my eyes streaming.) That he was a front-runner due to that is reason #3,457 that I’ll never be a Republican again.
Maybe because he’s a Republican is why I find Ron DeSantis deeply unlikeable. What has he done for the working class? The only thing that comes to mind is bringing everything and especially schools out of lockdown so soon. Of course, it killed a few more people but hey, there are always trade offs especially when it is not me and mine. He’s a front runner because of what he represents and not what kind of a person and politician he is.
I’m sick and tired of the culture war from both sides of the aisle; both have the words and tired catchphrases which drum up base support and they all (Dem or R) sound like windup marionettes to me. I wish Biden wouldn’t run again but if he does, I hope he talks bipartisanship/cooling the divide from the get go.
DeSantis has the charm of a coat rack and some neurodivergence that renders him unable to meet other people’s eyes. As GOP presidential nominees go, he’ll be a governor for at least four more years.
I’ve been saying for a while that I think DeSantis is on the spectrum. There’s something wrong with the guy. He’s only comfortable in very scripted situations. He’s horrible speaking off the cuff, & when he does, he can be a real bully. Picture Democratic commercials showing DeSantis yelling at those high school kids for wearing masks, telling them to take their masks off & calling it “Covid theater”.
A hand-wringer on Daily Kos commented that, in a Biden-Desantis matchup, all voters will see is a doddering 80-year old and a 45-year old. Why, I asked, would they not see a straight shooter vs. a guy who couldn’t look anyone in the eye if his kids’ lives depended on it? Or someone who cares vs. someone who sneers? I’m not a Republican, so take this for what it’s worth, but it’s hard to see Desantis succeeding in the retail politics crucible of the early primaries and caucuses.
I know I'm painting with a broad brush. I used to peruse DK myself at one point, and I know there are dissenting voices here and there to counter some of the more egregious progressive echo-chamber cacophony.
While I’m sympathetic to many progressive policy proposals, I dislike the general attitude that anyone who doesn’t see it their way is morally bereft. Also, that they are the loudest critics of Democratic Party messaging is a great irony considering how bad their messaging can be.
I actually still think of myself as a progressive, albeit a moderate leaning one. But I'll be blunt – from a political standpoint, progressives are often delusional and can be downright stupid at times. When they started screaming how they wanted to primary Joe Manchin, that was such a classic example of how they react on ideological impulse without thinking things through.
There was much cheering of Sanders’ op-ed in the Charlottesville (WV) paper that attacked Manchin and purported to speak for West Virginians. In reality, the article was pure grandstanding that played into Manchin’s hands no matter how much it ginned up Sanders supporters.
Perhaps it is because the media in general runs on "if it bleeds it leads" and therefore refuse to report on all the good Biden and/or Dems might be doing for the majority of Americans, instead picking on something like age to make the better man look worse (better/worse is obviously objective of course). And Dems have never never never been even a little good at messaging in the face of GOP lying and ruthlessness (which is what wins elections these days, esp if helped by Russian hackers).
Yeah, I think DeSantis runs into problems in a wide open field. Right now he's the not-Trump vote, but if Trump flames out, there's going to be a lot of spine growing in republican circles and there'll be plenty of not-Trump candidates to chose from.
I still think DeSantis is ripe to be skewered by any Republican that wants to call him out for being stupid to spend Florida resources to fly people from Texas to Martha's Vineyard. "Hey, his heart's in the right place, but 0 out of 10 for effectiveness." Same for plenty of his other stunts. "I'm against CRT in schools, but passing laws that violate our sacred Constitution and quickly get embarrassed in court isn't the way to do things." "I'm no fan of Disney's woke agenda, but using government to punish free speech isn't the way to beat wokism, and if you've noticed, Disney is still around."
The problem is that the mouth-breathers do not care if the action or policy was effective. This stuff doesn't stay visible in the news cycle long enough for that to be a consideration.
What was important was that the Libs got triggered. That the right people appeared to get hurt (even if it was actually the wrong people--like the taxpayers who would have to eat Disney's debt).
DeSantis can do all the stupid (and ineffective) stuff that he wants. That is the MAGA trademark (Trump did mostly stupid and ineffective things, despite being President). Remember it is the SHOW that is important and not the outcome. All is good so long as the Libs are visibly owned and those Other People are put in their place (even if it is only show).
The problem is that DeSantis has the charisma of a really bad case of tinea cruris.
I don't think the Constitution (the real one) is all that much a fan favorite on the Right, especially in MAGAland. The Real American Constitution is, though.
Perhaps so, but along the lines of it being a show, they'll tune in to see the battle. DeSantis would have a near impossible task of stealing the limelight from Trump, but other non-trump people could steal it from DeSantis, and I think in part by zinging him for being stupid. I'm kinda surprised that Trump hasn't done it already. He's pretty much got that, "not smart" put down trademarked.
It's just one more demonstration why obsession on polls is a terrible mistake for news organizations to make. Increasingly over the years, the reporting on polls by news organizations has become the dominant driver of news coverage. It masks (or tries to) the fact that no real reporting is going on. A reporter or columnist can sit back at his desk and write stories based on polls and never set foot on the ground where the real news is happening. It's one thing to use polls to advise you what to look for. It's another to make them the news. Hire more real reporters and get them out there pounding their beat. And the beat isn't a poll.
There was a guy named Bernie Sanders, a not-Democrat who liked to run in the Dems' presidential primaries. In February 2020, after Iowa and New Hampshire, he was the Democratic frontrunner and the major media couldn't have been happier. Feb. 22 NPR headline, Sanders Wins Nevada Caucus, Solidifying Front-Runner Status, for example. The Guardian March 15: How Sanders Went From Frontrunner to the Last-Chance Saloon.
Just Google Sanders and frontrunner.
This was so entertaining that I loved re-reading it in a new timeframe!
Hope you're very merry, Charlie. Joyeux Noel!
I think Bulwark writers, and based on the comments its readers, are under estimating DeSantis. There's a reason, you hear Republicans describe him as 'Trump with Brains'. Republicans voters largely like Trump, DeSantis has the ability to appeal to the Trump base and the traditional republican establishment. Like all parties, they want to win, and right now at least on paper DeSantis gives them the best chance. And DeSantis is shrewd enough to be able to use the Florida Governership to stay relevant among Repbulican primary voters by picking fights with the 'right' enemies.
Trump with Brains is code for "as fascist, ruthless, violent, partisan as Trump but smart enough to be secretive about it in order to win"!
It is certainly something to consider, but I wonder if the, "Trump with Brains" thing is based on what they wish was true. Cause here's the think about Trump that those on the right don't want to admit. The man has charisma and the ability to play an audience. He's got insult comic chops and timing. DeSantis has none of that. He might be odious like Trump and it would be hard not to be smarter than Trump, but that's not what is going to fire up the base.
If it comes down to a battle of non-trumps, DeSantis's lack of charisma is going to hurt him.
Republican pols care nothing about the country or anything except themselves. They’ll eat each other alive for the presidency. Stefanik is my rep and a perfect example of the amorality.
Re:Walker. Anybody running on union busting was never going to get my vote. Of course, this was pre-pivot to being the party of the working class. (Sorry, the lolz of that has my eyes streaming.) That he was a front-runner due to that is reason #3,457 that I’ll never be a Republican again.
Maybe because he’s a Republican is why I find Ron DeSantis deeply unlikeable. What has he done for the working class? The only thing that comes to mind is bringing everything and especially schools out of lockdown so soon. Of course, it killed a few more people but hey, there are always trade offs especially when it is not me and mine. He’s a front runner because of what he represents and not what kind of a person and politician he is.
I’m sick and tired of the culture war from both sides of the aisle; both have the words and tired catchphrases which drum up base support and they all (Dem or R) sound like windup marionettes to me. I wish Biden wouldn’t run again but if he does, I hope he talks bipartisanship/cooling the divide from the get go.
DeSantis has the charm of a coat rack and some neurodivergence that renders him unable to meet other people’s eyes. As GOP presidential nominees go, he’ll be a governor for at least four more years.
I’ve been saying for a while that I think DeSantis is on the spectrum. There’s something wrong with the guy. He’s only comfortable in very scripted situations. He’s horrible speaking off the cuff, & when he does, he can be a real bully. Picture Democratic commercials showing DeSantis yelling at those high school kids for wearing masks, telling them to take their masks off & calling it “Covid theater”.
Yep. I mean the guy went after Mickey Mouse, ffs.
A hand-wringer on Daily Kos commented that, in a Biden-Desantis matchup, all voters will see is a doddering 80-year old and a 45-year old. Why, I asked, would they not see a straight shooter vs. a guy who couldn’t look anyone in the eye if his kids’ lives depended on it? Or someone who cares vs. someone who sneers? I’m not a Republican, so take this for what it’s worth, but it’s hard to see Desantis succeeding in the retail politics crucible of the early primaries and caucuses.
Because it's the Daily Kos, and Biden isn't Bernie.
Fair enough, although plenty of Bernie skeptics comment on DK. His fanz can be maddening, no doubt.
I know I'm painting with a broad brush. I used to peruse DK myself at one point, and I know there are dissenting voices here and there to counter some of the more egregious progressive echo-chamber cacophony.
While I’m sympathetic to many progressive policy proposals, I dislike the general attitude that anyone who doesn’t see it their way is morally bereft. Also, that they are the loudest critics of Democratic Party messaging is a great irony considering how bad their messaging can be.
I actually still think of myself as a progressive, albeit a moderate leaning one. But I'll be blunt – from a political standpoint, progressives are often delusional and can be downright stupid at times. When they started screaming how they wanted to primary Joe Manchin, that was such a classic example of how they react on ideological impulse without thinking things through.
There was much cheering of Sanders’ op-ed in the Charlottesville (WV) paper that attacked Manchin and purported to speak for West Virginians. In reality, the article was pure grandstanding that played into Manchin’s hands no matter how much it ginned up Sanders supporters.
Perhaps it is because the media in general runs on "if it bleeds it leads" and therefore refuse to report on all the good Biden and/or Dems might be doing for the majority of Americans, instead picking on something like age to make the better man look worse (better/worse is obviously objective of course). And Dems have never never never been even a little good at messaging in the face of GOP lying and ruthlessness (which is what wins elections these days, esp if helped by Russian hackers).
DeSanctimonious also utterly lacks anything resembling charisma. That's why you never see him glad-handing constituents, dude can't do it
Yeah, I think DeSantis runs into problems in a wide open field. Right now he's the not-Trump vote, but if Trump flames out, there's going to be a lot of spine growing in republican circles and there'll be plenty of not-Trump candidates to chose from.
I still think DeSantis is ripe to be skewered by any Republican that wants to call him out for being stupid to spend Florida resources to fly people from Texas to Martha's Vineyard. "Hey, his heart's in the right place, but 0 out of 10 for effectiveness." Same for plenty of his other stunts. "I'm against CRT in schools, but passing laws that violate our sacred Constitution and quickly get embarrassed in court isn't the way to do things." "I'm no fan of Disney's woke agenda, but using government to punish free speech isn't the way to beat wokism, and if you've noticed, Disney is still around."
The problem is that the mouth-breathers do not care if the action or policy was effective. This stuff doesn't stay visible in the news cycle long enough for that to be a consideration.
What was important was that the Libs got triggered. That the right people appeared to get hurt (even if it was actually the wrong people--like the taxpayers who would have to eat Disney's debt).
DeSantis can do all the stupid (and ineffective) stuff that he wants. That is the MAGA trademark (Trump did mostly stupid and ineffective things, despite being President). Remember it is the SHOW that is important and not the outcome. All is good so long as the Libs are visibly owned and those Other People are put in their place (even if it is only show).
The problem is that DeSantis has the charisma of a really bad case of tinea cruris.
I don't think the Constitution (the real one) is all that much a fan favorite on the Right, especially in MAGAland. The Real American Constitution is, though.
Perhaps so, but along the lines of it being a show, they'll tune in to see the battle. DeSantis would have a near impossible task of stealing the limelight from Trump, but other non-trump people could steal it from DeSantis, and I think in part by zinging him for being stupid. I'm kinda surprised that Trump hasn't done it already. He's pretty much got that, "not smart" put down trademarked.
It's just one more demonstration why obsession on polls is a terrible mistake for news organizations to make. Increasingly over the years, the reporting on polls by news organizations has become the dominant driver of news coverage. It masks (or tries to) the fact that no real reporting is going on. A reporter or columnist can sit back at his desk and write stories based on polls and never set foot on the ground where the real news is happening. It's one thing to use polls to advise you what to look for. It's another to make them the news. Hire more real reporters and get them out there pounding their beat. And the beat isn't a poll.