Is Ron DeSantis Just Scott Walker 2.0?

Lessons from a popular governor’s failed campaign.

By
219
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks at a press conference on January 30, 2023, in Auburndale, Florida. (Photo by Paul Hennessy/SOPA Images/LightRocket/Getty Images.)

Imagine a popular Republican governor from an important state. Despite intense criticism from the national media, he’s notched some huge policy wins that are simultaneously popular with donors, base voters, and conservative intellectuals. His key theme is fighting the Washington establishment and the institutions of progressive power. Then, fresh off of an historic reelection victory, he announces his intent to run for president in a campaign video. 

“In the Republican field, there are some who are good fighters. They haven’t won those battles. There are others who have won elections but haven’t consistently taken on the big fights,” the golden boy of the right says, straight to camera. “I’ve done both.” 

Sound like a suitable ad for Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ eventual presidential campaign debut?  

Those were actually words from former Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker’s 2015 announcement video. It may seem like a lifetime ago, but there was a time when Walker was the “fighter” Republicans craved. He won the governorship three times in four years, thanks to a vicious effort to recall him after he successfully orchestrated a huge victory against public sector unions in his state.

Keep reading with a free account
Create a free Dispatch account to keep reading Get Started ALREADY HAVE AN ACCOUNT? SIGN IN
219
By
Comments (219)
Join The Dispatch to participate in the comments.
 
  1. Dennis.Trask.Z

    Walker created a budget crisis fixed by cutting funds for his foes education. Then he threw tons of money at Foxcon which turned to dirt. Culture warrior yes. Competent governor nope. Few elected officials do their work and make I wise business decisions. It's much easier to chant campaign mantras woke racist etc etc than to fix potholes a d balance budgets. Mitch Daniel's Larry Hogan John Kascich Mitt Romney these are examples of governmental leadership a n d solid decision making. Spare me the endless campaign drivel and do you job.

    Collapse
  2. Avatar photo
    Ben Connelly

    Normally I much prefer your longer writings, but this was the best Jonah column from this year to date.

    Collapse
  3. Avatar photo
    Bill Dyer (aka Beldar)

    Regarding an awful but steadfast refusal to do homework, and former Tex. Gov. Rick Perry:

    During the short highlight of his national career outside Texas, he pronounced that Trump is a cancer on the Republican Party.

    And that's almost wise enough a truth — spoken about his future boss, alas — to make it endearing that as a student at Texas A&M (short for "agricultural & mechanical"), Perry took a course called simply "Meats."

    And made a D in it.

    At the same time, though, he managed to complete the A&M Air Force ROTC program and he became a pilot who qualified on T-38 jets and eventually flew C-130s — so he apparently was able to pay enough attention in ground school and during his flight instruction to survive to the age where he could speak wisely, then act foolishly, with respect to Trump. It was only his national political career that crashed and burned.

    Collapse
  4. Avatar photo
    Connie

    “I’ve lost track of the times I’ve been told “he can’t work a room.””

    Will this be his hamartia?

    Collapse
  5. Avatar photo
    Trm

    DeSantis strikes me as an educated and intelligent person of substance, with actual beliefs, who is trying to find his way through the sewer that is communicating into groups deeply damaged by mob psychology. He needs those groups, but he also needs to not sell his soul. It is a difficult balance. All in all, while I think Jonah's spins a worthy tale of caution here, I also think that Walker and Perry are both well-meaning, lightweight politicians who were always going to be exposed under sufficient light. Whereas I think DeSantis is likely the real deal -- and I suspect the Republican electorate will discover that, if he finds the GPS through that sewer.

    Collapse
    1. Gdholcombe

      Good take here, with which I agree. I lived in Wisconsin during Walker’s tenure and was a huge fan of what he did for the state. I was one of three Republicans holding supportive signs in the Capitol when it was overrun by a screaming leftist mob of thousands. All of that said, I never thought Walker was a serious candidate for national office. It wasn’t just lack of charisma, but lack of gravitas. I don’t see such a deficit with DeSantis. Here’s hoping Republicans quit wasting time with Trump.

      Collapse
  6. Avatar photo
    Pat Riot

    Criminal organizations have a surefire way of ensuring a new member isn't a cop: they make them do a hit.

    I always think of this when I hear that DeSantis or some other GOP primary hopeful is going to cut into Trump's loyal base.

    DeSantis isn't going to be the real thing for Republican voters until he calls Hispanics rapists, or mocks a handicapped person, or screws a few porn stars, or grabs... anyhow you get it. I don't see him going full-Trumptard. I just don't.

    That's why I've always thought the non-Trump front-runners are folks like Tucker, Trump Jr., and so forth.

    Collapse
  7. Russell J

    The folks on the right should search for weaknesses now rather than September. I’ve seen too much cheerleading even from voices who I respect. I hear “he will be able to argue X” but then he isn’t actually saying this. Only exists in their imaginary candidate.

    Collapse
  8. Avatar photo
    Johntadian

    I, for one, don't care what DeSantis's personality is like . I'm pretty much done with politicians (and orange-haired grifters) with that IT factor. What I'd really like to hear him speak to is his military career as a JAG officer, his involvement with the procurement fraud cases he worked on; what he feels about the military industrial complex, and whether he thinks there can be cuts in the defense budget if accountability in the procurement process was enhanced. I spent 31 years in civil service associated with the military, and I can attest that it is disfunctional like Brittany Spears.

    Collapse
  9. Avatar photo
    Jen

    Don’t forget Rick Perry. I remember when he was a keynote speaker at the Red State event (back when Red State was a normal conservative outlet). He was “the one” until he failed on the debate stage. This is why I’m not ready to anoint DeSantis or say that everyone needs to get out of the way for him. Let’s see how he does on a debate stage and when he’s forced to engage with less than friendly media.

    Collapse
    1. Ddingley

      Pretty sure he's engaged with incredibly hostile media for his entire term. He hasn't wavered when he might have, which is part of what many people really like about him. Agree with the rest.

      Collapse
    2. Avatar photo
      Pat Riot

      I keep saying he's in his Florida bubble. Florida is not a typical red state. And primary voters sure as hell don't act on "electability" when they know the entire party will rally around any GOP candidate including Trump.

      Collapse
  10. Avatar photo
    BrettH

    Enjoyed the read, thanks Jonah. My bet is that Republicans haven't learned a thing from Walker or the collective action problem that brought the country 4 years of Trump. I sure hope I'm wrong.

    Collapse
Load More