The Trump/DeSantis War May Start Sooner Than You Think

The best defense is a good offense.

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Donald Trump is not a patient man. Patience is a virtue, after all, and Trump has never had much regard for virtue. But he’s been surprisingly patient with his one serious rival for the 2024 Republican nomination, a man on track to win decisively in Florida six weeks from now and establish himself beyond dispute as a formidable national figure.

I wonder if he’s been too patient. And whether his patience might finally have run out.

Rolling Stone has published a series of stories this summer about Trump’s exasperation at the rise of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, all of which have the air of Yosemite Sam gradually working himself into a fit over Bugs Bunny. At one point Trump allegedly wanted to launch his 2024 campaign in Tallahassee to spite DeSantis, a brilliant example of his sense of politics as a pageant of dominance. More recently he’s been heard to complain about DeSantis mimicking his hand gestures and body language, joking at an event earlier this year that he should sue the governor for copyright infringement.

His latest grievance is more substantive, though. One senses this may be the last straw:

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  1. James Lemaux

    “To the extent DeSantis is still undecided about challenging Trump in 2024, successfully overcoming Trump’s attempt to sabotage his reelection bid might decide matters for him.“

    Very prophetic this morning. Will be a fun primary, and Orange Person may finally have been broken!

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  2. Bergman, Jay (History)

    In substantiation of my comment on September 20, Mr. Catoggio -- notwithstanding his many virtues as an opinion journalist -- should reconsider his repeated claims that the Republican Party has no agenda. It manifestly does. The recently-announced "Commitment to America" which consists of the following, surely qualities as an agenda or program by any reasonable definition of the word:

    • Cut the time it takes to obtain oil- and natural-gas-drilling permits in half.
    • Move supply chains away from China.
    • Fully fund effective border-enforcement strategies, infrastructure, and advanced technology to prevent illegal crossings and trafficking by cartels.
    • End catch-and-release loopholes.
    • Require proof of legal status to get a job.
    • Support 200,000 more police officers through recruiting and retention bonuses.
    • Crack down on prosecutors and district attorneys who refuse to prosecute crime, while permanently criminalizing all forms of illicit fentanyl.
    • Establish a Select Committee on China.
    • Advance the Parents’ Bill of Rights.
    • Expand parental choice so more than a million more students can receive the education their parents know is best.
    • Defend fairness by ensuring that only women can compete in women’s sports.
    • Improve access to telemedicine.
    • Provide greater privacy and data-security protections for Americans.
    • Equip parents with more tools to keep their kids safe online.

    Jay Bergman
    Professor of History
    Central CT State University
    New Britain CT 06050

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    Ben Connelly

    I like the use of metaphor in this article. Welcome aboard, Nick!

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  4. Andrew55

    https://www.acsh.org/news/2022/09/21/did-covid-lockdowns-work-16563

    There is more and more info coming out per lockdowns. Most seem to say lockdowns of the most vulnerable are worthwhile and universal lockdowns are not due to the economic and psychological side effects.

    I saw a guy walking outside by himself earlier wearing a mask. I think wearing a mask for some time now has been more symbolic than effective. But I'm not going to argue with him.
    I'd prefer the CDC to give the most accurate information they can to the public instead of treating us like children. Some of the mask rules were ridiculous and it was obvious when they were issued (If you stand here wear a mask. If you stand 10 feet away you can take it off). My feeling is DeSantis saw this and acted on what he saw, knew and believed.

    Thanks for the responses Bill. Lets agree to not agree
    I appreciate your response

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    Grandma B

    Insightful article, Nick. And I’m glad Steve hired you under your real name, as it exemplifies the culture of The Dispatch. No writer needs a pseudonym here because members are only interested in considering your thoughts, not using the comment section for harassment as a team sport.

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    Blake

    Great article! However, I think it's a stretch to imagine a Donald Trump who seriously considers up to three options carefully and critically. We all know he's just going to go with whatever his narcissistic gut tells him, even if it actually isn't in his best interest.

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    Bayesian

    There is a name I have not seen anywhere in these comments (have I missed it?), and it seems like it should inform some of the analysis: Brian Kemp

    No, he's never going to get the POTUS nomination (although I'd be unsurprised to see him run against Ossoff and win in 2026) in the unlikely event that someday the national level Rs are prepared to nominate anyone without a Trumpy imprimatur - he's a premature anti-denialist.

    But it seems like the DeSantis strategists should be studying Kemp's primary campaign this year for hints nonetheless. DeSantis has in one sense a lot more room to maneuver than Kemp does in that DeSantis can blow off more remnant moderates and still keep a good grip on the state government.

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  8. linda

    Is there no chance that this forlorn political party would chose someone like Sununu? To be honest I have only seen him speak a handful of times but he seems to have his head screwed on. That's a wonderful change in itself. Yes, my standards have been lowered after going through the past few yrs. Someone whose not cray cray and knows the president's business is not duke it out with every passerby. I suppose I ask too much in this our years of discontent.

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  9. Tom Doniphon

    DeSantis has the ability to shrug off Trump, and all but the small core of Trump's fans will be able to see it.

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    Andy Napoli

    When the scorpion stung the frog halfway across the river, the frog was incredulous. Why are you doing this? Now we’re both doomed. The scorpion responded— you knew what I was when you let me climb onto your back.

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