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DeSantis:
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DeSantis:


Nov 30, 2022, 1:11 PM

If I had to lay a bet on who our next president is, it would be DeSantis. It will be interesting to see how Trump treats him if DeSantis does run. This is an interesting article.


Just Wait Until You Get to Know Ron DeSantis
People who haven’t met him think he’s a hot commodity. People who have met him aren’t so sure.

By Mark Leibovich
NOVEMBER 30, 2022, 5 AM ET


Governor Ron Desantis has a growing store of admirers. This includes many who have watched the cantankerous Floridian only from afar. They have heard glowing things. He was the biggest winner of an otherwise dark election cycle for Republicans. He has impeccable bona fides as a Donald Trump disciple—without being Trump himself, whom many see as the biggest loser of said dark election cycle.

This has made DeSantis the GOP’s hottest molecule. He is full MAGA without the high drama. He is terrorizing all the right targets while Trump keeps blowing himself up in new and creative ways. “He is Trump with a brain,” goes the whispered refrain among DeSantis aides (this clearly drives Trump nuts—always a noble goal).


While essentially working from home, DeSantis has managed to build an impressive cachet as a favored Fox News funambulist, a flypaper for big donors, and an owner of libs. He has fashioned a kind of GOP utopia in the Sunshine State—where the boss himself chooses to reside, but is safely cordoned off in Palm Beach. DeSantis, meanwhile, clearly runs the empire. “Florida is where woke goes to die,” he said in his chest-thumping victory speech on Election Night.


The question is whether DeSantis’s presidential hopes will perish as he starts getting out more on the Iowa–New Hampshire dating apps. People who know him better and have watched him longer are skeptical of his ability to take on the former president. DeSantis, they say, is no thoroughbred political athlete. He can be awkward and plodding. And Trump tends to eviscerate guys like that.

“He was standoffish in general,” the Virginia Republican Barbara Comstock, a former House colleague of DeSantis’s, told me.

“A strange no-eye-contact oddball,” Rick Wilson, a Republican media consultant, wrote on Resolute Square.


“I’d rather have teeth pulled without anesthetic than be on a boat with Ron DeSantis,” says Mac Stipanovich, a Tallahassee lobbyist who set sail from the GOP over his revulsion for Trump and his knockoffs. To sum up: DeSantis is not a fun and convivial dude. He prefers to keep his earbuds in. His “Step away from the vehicle” vibes are strong.

To stipulate: None of this is necessarily disqualifying.

On the contrary, it could lend DeSantis credibility as an outsider irritant. He is not just another smoothie politician, not part of the “establishment.” Since Trump descended his escalator and dragged the GOP down with him, the party has shown a persistent tolerance, even inclination, for churlish bastards—just as long as they are churlish toward the right rascals, reprobates, and agents of wokeness. DeSantis has a Trumpian proficiency for identifying these. If that leads to cruel treatment of vulnerable populations (refugees, gay and transgender teens), even better.

But no shortage of alleged heavyweights have entered previous primary races only to reveal themselves as decidedly not ready for prime time, or even late-night C-SPAN. Political handicappers and fundraisers overhype them. Expectations create a cryptolike bubble. Then they finally show up and fail to dazzle. The gloss fades fast. You can ask President Beto O’Rourke about this.

“I think he is going to run into some challenges,” Carlos Curbelo, a former Republican congressman from Florida who served with DeSantis in the House, told me. “It’s that question that often comes up in politics—the question of ‘Would you want to have a beer with him?’’’ This is a big-time cliché, of course, but it does feel pertinent. Will he grow on voters like a catchy song, or like mold? DeSantis “has this robotic quality that he has to shed,” Curbelo said. “Everything else checks the box. He is smart and competent and committed to his ideology. He just has to humanize himself.”


All while Trump will be running DeSantis through his patented dehumanizer machine, which made such mashed mush of his rivals in 2016. Trump’s efficient cartooning of “Low-Energy Jeb,” “Liddle Marco,” and “Lyin’ Ted” left them flailing pathetically.

“On a debate stage, all of Trump’s strengths go straight to DeSantis’s weaknesses,” Stipanovich told me. Trump has energy and presence; DeSantis “is dour and doesn’t improvise particularly well.” People who are appropriately sycophantic to Trump swear he possesses a certain charm and charisma. Even those who are eager to vouch for DeSantis don’t say this about him. He would launch any charm offensive unarmed.

“My sense is that Trump would gut DeSantis with a dull deer antler,” said Stipanovich, who has a taste for violent animal metaphors. He also predicted that “Trump would club DeSantis like a baby seal.”

In fairness, DeSantis is not completely defenseless. So far, Trump has whined that DeSantis has not been sufficiently loyal or “classy” toward him. He called DeSantis an “average REPUBLICAN governor.” He’s given him a mean nickname, “Ron DeSanctimonious,” which to be honest is kind of meh—not midseason Trump by any means. DeSantis brushed it off as “just noise.”


Like Trump, DeSantis has a feral, shameless quality. As an underdog candidate for governor in 2018, DeSantis showed a remarkable willingness to prostrate himself before the then-president, even by the cringey standards of Trump-era toadyism. The apex—or nadir—of this effort involved an ad in which the candidate is shown reading a bedtime story to his baby son, the latter clad in a red make america great again onesie.

“Then Mr. Trump said, ‘You’re fired,’” the doting dad reads. This gambit proved wildly effective for DeSantis, propelling the backbencher congressman to an upset victory in the Republican primary. There might be no better example of a candidate allowing his political identity—and self-respect—to be totally devoured by his allegiance to Trump, at least for as long as it suited him. For the sake of the child, hopefully this scene will never be spoken of again.

The pure nerve that allowed DeSantis to so debase himself before Trump and then promptly turn against his former kingmaker could serve him well. DeSantis understands intuitively that loyalty in politics can be a loser’s proposition. “Ron’s strength as a politician is that he doesn’t give a ####,” a Republican consultant told The New Yorker. “Ron’s weakness as a politician is that he doesn’t give a ####.”

“I don’t think Ron hangs out with anybody, from what I can tell,” former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie said during an appearance on the Ruthless podcast. Christie, who encountered DeSantis at Republican Governors Association meetings, said his Florida counterpart tended to remain cocooned inside his entourage. “I don’t see him hanging with the other governors,” Christie said.

DeSantis works harder than Trump does, and is more disciplined and capable of adapting. He attended Yale and Harvard Law School and clearly took some classes in populism. He could conceivably grow more adept at carrying on conversations in diners and pretending to care about the pet issues of self-important state reps in the North Country.

But certain political skills are more innate, and require an ability to ad-lib that DeSantis lacks. He can appear needlessly snappish and reactive (earlier this year, he scolded a group of high-school students for wearing masks onstage behind him). One particular interlude during DeSantis’s 2022 campaign bears revisiting. It occurred during a debate with his Democratic opponent, Charlie Crist, who attempted to pin down the governor on whether he would commit to serving out his four-year term if reelected. In other words, was DeSantis running for president in 2024 or not? “Yes or no, Ron?” Crist pressed him. DeSantis froze. “It’s a fair question and he won’t tell you,” Crist said, filling the silence.


Finally, a moderator jumped in and reminded the candidates that they were not permitted to ask each other direct questions, allowing DeSantis to regroup. “Well, I know that Charlie is interested in talking about 2024 and Joe Biden,” DeSantis said, delivering what was clearly a rehearsed line. “But I just want to make this very, very clear. The only worn-out old donkey I’m looking to put out to pasture is Charlie Crist.” Cute recovery. But still awkward.

DeSantis probably figured—rightly—that he was in no danger of losing to Crist and might as well suffer through the silence rather than complicate things when he decides to bolt from Florida to run for president. But a fluid politician could have better finessed that exchange. And Trump likely took note and filed this away. “He knew and assessed the weaknesses of DeSantis on the debate stage and in the media space,” Wilson wrote in his Resolute Square essay, concluding that Trump will tear him to pieces. “He smelled blood.”

Republicans who want to save the party from Trump are investing great hope in a blank slate. The New York Post has dubbed him “DeFuture.” I would dub that DeBatable.

Mark Leibovich is a staff writer at The Atlantic. He is the author of Thank You for Your Servitude and This Town.

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He seems to be fine on the podium


Nov 30, 2022, 1:35 PM

In private, no telling what his personality is like.
He does have an impressive bio…

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Re: He seems to be fine on the podium


Nov 30, 2022, 1:41 PM

I could not care any less what his personality is like. I just don’t understand why anyone cares. I want a competent president making good decisions for America. I want my president to be like a good baseball umpire. When he’s really good and competent you don’t even notice him being there. All is calm and quiet.

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Re: He seems to be fine on the podium


Nov 30, 2022, 1:44 PM

You don't understand why personality matters? Really? It's part of being a leader. That said, they don't have to be perfect obviously.

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Re: He seems to be fine on the podium


Nov 30, 2022, 1:49 PM

My point is I don’t want voting for president to be all about personality. Of course he has to be persuasive and reasonably likable. But I want be playing golf with him so his policies are my main concern. I would prefer that he not have dementia.

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Re: He seems to be fine on the podium


Nov 30, 2022, 3:04 PM

Trump was a mess and you voted for him his personality, but you were not smart enough to realized he played you for an idiot. I agree Biden is senile. Those are the basic facts.

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Re: He seems to be fine on the podium


Nov 30, 2022, 6:25 PM

Trump played me? I sure as heck wish he would play me again because I prospered tremendously during his 4 years.

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Re: He seems to be fine on the podium


Nov 30, 2022, 6:35 PM

It would have happened no matter who was in charge, just like the economy now. He played younfor a sucker.

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SURE... "Everybody" knows it would have been the same...***


Dec 1, 2022, 12:55 AM



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Re: SURE... "Everybody" knows it would have been the same...***


Dec 1, 2022, 7:15 AM

Yeah that clown actually believes it would have been the same under Hillary or some other freak.

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Re: SURE... "Everybody" knows it would have been the same...***


Dec 1, 2022, 7:26 AM [ in reply to SURE... "Everybody" knows it would have been the same...*** ]

It would have been similar. The world economy went to shyatt. Its going to get worse over the next couple of years. Anyone with a brain knew the economy was going to be in trouble no matter who won. It was predicted by most economists. As a matter of fact, I told numerous libs before the last election that they need to realize that no matter who wins we are facing serious economic problems in the future and that one bad term might give the Repubs 2 terms. It's happening just as projected as far as the economy. The only thing Trump would have done better is controlling the border. That's all. The only thing saving the libs as far as possibly winning in 2024 is the masses are sick of all the MAGA idiots. The libs are hoping Trump is the Repub nominee.

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Re: SURE... "Everybody" knows it would have been the same...***


Dec 1, 2022, 7:35 AM

You switched from past to present. Your statement was that Trump played me. I said I prospered greatly during his 4 years. Now you are saying our current mess would be the same regardless of who is in office. I don’t agree at all but that’s a different debate. My response to your original statement was that Trump was dang good for this country during his 4 years. Yes, he has a big mouth and I honestly can’t stand his mouth. But my net worth could not care less about his mouth, I enjoyed his policies.

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This article is basically saying that other politicians


Nov 30, 2022, 1:45 PM

don't like him... or maybe he doesn't like other politicians.

DeSantis has brought his family to our local high school for football games several times and truly seemed to be having a good time. Maybe not enough for political insiders to consider him warm and fuzzy, but sure convinces the voters.

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Re: This article is basically saying that other politicians


Nov 30, 2022, 2:16 PM

A lobbyist not liking him is probably a good sign.

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Re: DeSantis:


Nov 30, 2022, 1:54 PM

As long as he doesn’t bend too far to the right to win the #### wing of the base in the primary, I’d vote for him.

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I don't think I can. He's too much like Trump and is


Nov 30, 2022, 2:21 PM

squarely in the MAGA wing of the party.

This guy actually sent operatives to Texas to find immigrants, promised them jobs and other financial incentives, and then flew them to MV, all as a political stunt. He doesn't seem to have much empathy for the less fortunate.

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Yes, he is. His wife agrees with you.


Nov 30, 2022, 2:26 PM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1YP_zZJFXs

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This seems to track based on the handful of FL people


Nov 30, 2022, 2:11 PM

I know and occasionally discuss politics with. From a very small sample size, there seems to be a universally lower regard for him from locals than people in other states who mostly know him from headlines and soundbites.

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Re: This seems to track based on the handful of FL people


Nov 30, 2022, 2:49 PM

Must indeed be a small sample size as DeSantis won by the largest margin in a FL Governor’s race in 40 years.

If he’s truly more popular elsewhere than in FL, hello Landslide Ron in 2024.

While I am far from deciding on who I want in 2024 amongst the Pubs, my anecdotal Floridian small sample size group is at variance with yours.

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I would disagree based on actually living in FL. Your sample


Nov 30, 2022, 2:51 PM [ in reply to This seems to track based on the handful of FL people ]

must lean far left.

If he can win over Dade and Palm Beach counties he can win over anyone.

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He leans far far left***


Nov 30, 2022, 2:57 PM



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No, not really.


Nov 30, 2022, 5:46 PM

I can see how you could be confused about this in your bubble though.

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Also possible.


Nov 30, 2022, 3:00 PM [ in reply to I would disagree based on actually living in FL. Your sample ]

No statistician would put any stock in my observations.

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how much and who holds our money?


Nov 30, 2022, 2:16 PM

"If I had to lay a bet on who our next president is, it would be DeSantis."

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His Anti woke policy platform


Nov 30, 2022, 2:20 PM

resonates well with the mentally challenged, so that is like 30% of the vote right there.

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Re: His Anti woke policy platform


Nov 30, 2022, 2:27 PM

no way lbgthabc (mentally ill) fockers vote for Little Dee

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Would you bet on Trump?***


Nov 30, 2022, 2:26 PM [ in reply to how much and who holds our money? ]



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Re: Would you bet on Trump?***


Nov 30, 2022, 2:27 PM

that was knot the bet lol

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i expect more and more hit pieces from the pos media***


Nov 30, 2022, 2:44 PM



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Not exactly a hit piece. Did you read it?***


Nov 30, 2022, 3:00 PM



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not the whole thing but yes, its laying the


Nov 30, 2022, 3:12 PM

ground work of, even pubs dont like him who know him, type of thing.

Very subtle but effective to lay doubt.
But the attacks will become more and more severe as the year goes.

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Exactly my take and just the beginning... Writer is from


Dec 1, 2022, 1:10 AM

The Atlantic, NY Times, and a MSNBC regular guest...

That's who's paying for the hit.

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It was more about his ability to get votes,


Dec 1, 2022, 9:15 AM [ in reply to not the whole thing but yes, its laying the ]

not his ability to govern, to my reading.

I didn't really think highly of the premise, as the man is just coming off a big electoral victory in a state that's not exactly deep red. I think that's pretty strong evidence that he's quite electable.

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Re: Not exactly a hit piece. Did you read it?***


Nov 30, 2022, 3:17 PM [ in reply to Not exactly a hit piece. Did you read it?*** ]

This wasn’t a hit piece but potentially points out that DeSantis may not have the extroverted personality that is a positive for sure in the close quarters retail politics of the early primary states of NH and SC or in the caucus in IA.

IA may lose its early spot, but SC and NH will retain an outsize influence in determining the nominee where gripping and grinning is extremely important.


Message was edited by: rons1®


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I've said it before but I can't get over how much


Nov 30, 2022, 4:18 PM

he sounds and acts like the rabbi from Seinfeld.

I can't take him seriously.

The article mentions DeSantis' nonanswer in the debate about serving a full term and I think it's interesting just to see how awkward he looks in response, it's weird. Why can't we have normal human beings as politicians? What is it about the job that draws these weirdos?

https://youtu.be/YN9OERYM_1k?t=110

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Re: DeSantis:


Nov 30, 2022, 4:53 PM

“Florida is where woke goes to die,” he said...

Although in all fairness, Florida is where everything goes to die.

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What odds did you get?


Nov 30, 2022, 5:40 PM

I'd obviously take the field. My guess is we don't know the serious candidates yet. Even if Trump endorses Desantis (he won't), I think he melts under national scrutiny.

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All the neocons are pushing him, he must be a bad pick.


Nov 30, 2022, 5:58 PM

Also, when he had federal office, he was a neocon.

He did a great job standing up to the Feds as FL Gov. Hope he stays there.

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You lost me at Rick Wilson***


Dec 1, 2022, 12:31 AM



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