I’m also inclined to believe he won his primary race this week by beclowning himself. His victory was achieved by signaling in every way possible that no one loves President Trump more than he does. “Signal” is too subtle a word. DeSantis’ media strategy boiled down to taking every invitation to appear on Fox News (where I am a contributor) and slather the president with praise.
DeSantis released an ad exploiting his family to prove his devotion.
The ad opens with his wife Casey explaining that, “Everyone knows my husband Ron DeSantis is endorsed by President Trump. But he’s also an amazing dad. Ron loves playing with the kids.”
DeSantis is then seen encouraging his toddler daughter to “build the wall” with toy blocks. He reads from “The Art of the Deal” to his 4-month-old son. “Then Mr. Trump said, ‘You’re fired.’ I love that part,” DeSantis coos to the baby, behind a graphic reading, “Ron DeSantis: Pitbull Trump Defender.”
Casey chimes back in, “People say he’s ‘all-Trump,’ but he’s so much more,” as her husband looks down at his baby son in a red “Make America Great Again” onesie.
I thought it was all gross. That a conservative running for governor would make being a yes-man to the chief executive of the federal government his primary qualification is appalling. But it pales in comparison to using his own children as politicized props.
I understand it’s supposed to be a joke, but the underlying message was: It’s funny because it’s true. Or maybe it wasn’t true, and cynicism, not worship, was his motivation. It was pathetic either way.
Still, unless there is some new evidence waiting in the wings, the effort to paint DeSantis as a racist is spectacularly, appallingly dumb.
After winning the primary, DeSantis went on Fox News to talk up his victory and his plans for the general election. He was asked about his opponent, the very progressive mayor of Tallahassee, Andrew Gillum. Mayor Gillum has aligned himself with the democratic-socialist insurgency in the Democratic Party. Gillum favors the abolition of ICE, a “living” minimum wage, single-payer health care and, of course, sweeping tax increases.
DeSantis modestly praised Gillum, while adding that he was too liberal for Florida. “He is an articulate spokesman for those far-left views,” DeSantis said. “… let’s build off the success we’ve had on Governor Scott. The last thing we need to do is to monkey this up by trying to embrace a socialist agenda with huge tax increases and bankrupting the state.”
And then the mainstream media lost its mind, insisting that this was a “dog whistle” to white racists. Why? Because Gillum is African-American and DeSantis used the words “monkey” and “articulate.”
Was it a poor choice of words? Sure, but only because the media is so determined to weaponize every alleged misstatement — by a Republican. (Democrats get to make easily weaponized gaffes all the time.)
I will admit, one of the most troubling things about a Trumpified GOP is that it makes it harder for conservatives and Republicans (not the same thing) to defend themselves in these situations.
But such thinking will only worsen the problems afflicting not just the GOP but the country. Indeed, one of the reasons we are where we are is that the media has been “reporting” Democratic talking points as news for years. Which is why the “fake news” battle cry has proven so effective.
Writes for Tribune Content Agency
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