Trailing Trump, DeSantis Comes Out Swinging

Plus: Republican spending groups pick their horses for West Virginia Senate Seat.

By , and
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Illustration photo of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announcing his 2024 presidential run on his Twitter page on May 24, 2023. (Photo by CHRIS DELMAS/AFP via Getty Images)

Happy Friday! No Dispatch Politics Monday—we hope you have a pleasant Memorial Day and we’ll see you in your inboxes on Wednesday.

Up to Speed

  • Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis officially announced Wednesday he is running for president, entering the contest as the top challenger to former President Donald Trump for the GOP nomination. The announcement, made in an audio-only Twitter Spaces conversation with Twitter owner Elon Musk and entrepreneur David Sacks, was delayed at first by a sequence of audio glitches. In a video posted afterward, DeSantis joked that the event “broke the internet.” His campaign later said they brought in $8.2 million in the 24 hours following the announcement.
  • President Joe Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy looked poised Thursday to raise the debt ceiling in exchange for cutting spending not related to military or veteran programs, though the deal hasn’t been finalized yet.
  • Pennsylvania state Sen. Doug Mastriano announced Thursday he will not run for U.S. Senate against Democratic Sen. Bob Casey “at this time, at this moment, the way things currently are.” Mastriano’s apparent prior interest in the seat had alarmed some Republicans following his 14-point gubernatorial loss last year to current Gov. Josh Shapiro.
  • Shortly after Mastriano’s news, hedge funder Dave McCormick released a statement of his own, thanking Mastriano for his military service before stating that “I am seriously considering a run for the U.S. Senate.” McCormick was narrowly edged in last year’s Pennsylvania Senate GOP primary by Dr. Mehmet Oz, who went on to lose to Democratic Sen. John Fetterman in November.
  • A Texas House committee voted unanimously Thursday to recommend articles of impeachment against Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, charging him with offenses including bribery and obstruction of justice. Although Paxton became nationally notorious in 2020 for spearheading a lawsuit that attempted to throw out the election results in several battleground states won by President Joe Biden, his current predicament stems from allegations that he abused his office to help a political donor. If impeached by the House, Paxton would be removed from office while awaiting trial in the Senate.

DeSantis Takes the Fight to Trump

What a difference a campaign launch makes.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis used his first full day as a presidential candidate to pummel Donald Trump, responding to months of unanswered attacks and differentiating himself from a field of declared Republican contenders that has avoided confrontation with the former president.

In several interviews Thursday with conservative talk radio hosts, DeSantis essentially called Trump a loser, claimed he grossly mismanaged the coronavirus pandemic—and said he shared blame with President Joe Biden for the exploding federal debt and subsequent high inflation. The governor’s comments, delivered on programs whose audiences are dominated by Trump supporters, were quickly amplified by his Tallahassee-based campaign, indicating his offensive against the former president was part of a premeditated strategy.

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  1. Avatar photo
    CP

    Could real Republicans not adopt the Rhino as a new symbol? They’re stronger and less ridiculous than either the elephant or the donkey.

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  2. Russell J

    Just for the record so that my DeSantis comments aren’t 100% negative, I respect that he is criticizing the gross fundraising ads and just setting up differences with Caesar when few have done so.

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  3. Randall Briggs

    DeSantis comes out punching? Really? More like flailing around in futility while struggling to find a way to attack Trump without seeming to attack him.

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    1. Brett

      That's the news I heard too. Read this, view it differently now. So what you heard is a narrative. This is why the real reporting of the Dispatch is so critical.

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  4. Avatar photo
    Aylene Wright

    Ok, so now Desantis IS directly attacking Trump. So much for all the agita earlier that he wasn't doing that. Seems that actually officially announcing his candidacy, did result in a change in his approach.

    Now, I don't really agree with Desantis on the substance of much of the attacks. The Fauci-bashing especially. But I do think that as a strategy, this is essential.

    As for floating the pardoning of 1/6 rioters or even Trump himself; hopefully this isn't something Desantis really dwells on, and I doubt that's actually going to win over too many Trump fans, because that's something Trump himself could easily promise, too. Although he did provide himself a lot of wiggle room, because he didn't say he'd definitely pardon anyone, just that he would consider it.

    But, I have noticed a recent push by RW media to equate any protest that involves people entering a legislative chamber, with 1/6, including those who aren't gung-ho MAGA. So this actually might be something that gets traction, that although the violent rioters don't deserve pardons, that the nonviolent ones do.

    But even arguing nonviolent protesters should be pardoned, of course contributes toward legitimizing mob rule. In this way, I understand the anti-Desantis argument, that electing him just cements populist control of the GOP.

    But I find the Matt Lewis argument that it would actually be better for anti-populists for Trump to get the GOP nomination and be blown out in the general, to be way too risky. Because right now, Trump probably would *not* lose in a landslide, and could even win, against Biden. There's certainly no guarantee he'd lose by such a crushing margin that it finishes him off politically.

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  5. Avatar photo
    Ben Connelly

    “ Pennsylvania state Sen. Doug Mastriano announced Thursday he will not run for U.S. Senate against Democratic Sen. Bob Casey “at this time, at this moment, the way things currently are.” Mastriano’s apparent prior interest in the seat had alarmed some Republicans following his 14-point gubernatorial loss last year to current Gov. Josh Shapiro.
    Shortly after Mastriano’s news, hedge funder Dave McCormick released a statement of his own, thanking Mastriano for his military service before stating that “I am seriously considering a run for the U.S. Senate.” McCormick was narrowly edged in last year’s Pennsylvania Senate GOP primary by Dr. Mehmet Oz, who went on to lose to Democratic Sen. John Fetterman in November.
    A Texas House committee voted unanimously Thursday to recommend articles of impeachment against Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, charging him with offenses including bribery and obstruction of justice. Although Paxton became nationally notorious in 2020 for spearheading a lawsuit that attempted to throw out the election results in several battleground states won by President Joe Biden, his current predicament stems from allegations that he abused his office to help a political donor. If impeached by the House, Paxton would be removed from office while awaiting trial in the Senate.”

    Good news.

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  6. Avatar photo
    EricRemcon@gmail

    \Start of Daydream

    A campaign suggestion for RD (who I will likely vote for in the primary, but not the general):

    Now that the high schools are getting out for summer, he needs to find an 18-year-old with the appearance of an 8th grader (need to avoid the child labor accusations) and outfit him with some facial bronzer and a ridiculously long red tie. Then install a 10-minute ‘Debate Prep’ feature during every major campaign event where the kid repeats, verbatim, some of the Orange Attacks (e.g., pedophile, height, Red Button size, etc.) and RD responds to them with the lack of respect they deserve. The kid would not need to do an impression, just say the words in a whiny voice.

    He could introduce it like “Now I will give you a behind the scenes look at my debate preparations”. The beauty is it would require very little effort (no writer required) and serve to demonstrate the total lack of seriousness exhibited by his opponent. He could even address the closer to normal attacks like the “voted for a national sales tax” and “Florida is a failed state” stuff in a more serious tone. He needs to drive home the point that the attacks are all buster and lies, no substance.

    He should highlight that there is no “there” there when it comes to the “leaders” rhetoric at every opportunity. A regular feature would allow him to pick on the latest silly insult almost daily. If done well, it would probably get a lot of natural media attention. Its purpose would be twofold, allow him to address the childish attacks instead of ignoring them (which just enables the dopamine hits the Orange Minions get from them), and also give him a reference point to comically refer to during the actual debates (I have already responded to that middle school debate topic, next question). If we are lucky, the 76-year-old child will learn to grow up before the debates and attempt to talk about something resembling policy (I am not hopeful).

    It appears RD is going to represent himself to be the mini, but competent, version of #45. Before he can do that, he needs to underscore what a clown the genuine version is, pointing out that he should not be within a hundred miles of the White House (without having to directly say it).

    \End of Daydream

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    1. Brett

      In all seriousness I love this

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  7. Avatar photo
    Anne W (Raw5254)

    DeSantis is not my first choice, but I’m watching closely. I thought Steve made a really good argument for DeSantis on the Thursday edition of The Dispatch podcast. I do NOT want Trump, and I strongly believe that ANY of the potential candidates (so far) on the Republican side would be preferable. I understand that there are people here who really like Biden, and think he’s doing great. But he’s not. He’s quickly becoming too old for the office of President, and there’s no way he’s going to last through a second term. Kamala Harris is not a leader, and it doesn’t look as though Biden or the Democrats are willing to drop her. So, unless DeSantis (or someone else) can beat Trump, I fear he’ll be back.

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    1. Avatar photo
      Pat @ Tavi Hall

      For me, I have only one first choice, whoever can beat Trump gets my my primary vote. After that, I'll allow myself to look at issues. But if DeSantis doesn't shape up on 1/6 pardons and Ukraine, he won't get my national election vote.

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        Anne W (Raw5254)

        I’m very disappointed in DeSantis, so far, but I’m willing to wait and see.

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          Pat @ Tavi Hall

          I agree, he's gotten lost.

          But in the end, Trump not getting the nomination is my first cause.

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            Anne W (Raw5254)

            I can’t recall which podcaster said it, but it had something to do with “learning and getting better” on the campaign trail. I think they all, to a certain extent, are trying to figure out that winning combination. Unfortunately, DeSantis seems as though he thinks “Trump Lite” is his best bet, but I’m hoping he has people working with him who are on the ground and listening to people like us. I know there are more of us than that Trump MAGA base.

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    2. Kaybmorrow

      Don’t depend on Biden dropping dead. People here in the old folks home where I live areelastin into 90s including my husband. Agree he is TOO old to be president. I thought Jon McCain was too old.

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        Anne W (Raw5254)

        I’m not saying Biden will die or that I even want that. But, I can easily see it becoming too much for him. He’s at an age where so many things could go wrong. I think Trump is too old, for that matter.

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          Pat @ Tavi Hall

          Yes! Those people living to 90 in a nursing home aren't able to run for anything.

          And Trump is overweight which means he has added issues.

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            Anne W (Raw5254)

            Trump looks awful!!! We already know he has a bad diet, he’s overweight, and he’s closing in on 80. I might not think 80 was all that bad IF he took better care of himself. He might be sharp mentally, but physically is another story. All we can do is hope/pray.

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  8. Avatar photo
    Pat Riot

    DeSantis's problem is epistemological.

    While DeSantis is "attacking" (in heavy scare quotes) Trump on certain tactical issues (and in a positively loving way), never has DeSantis accused this lifelong criminal of lying.

    To hear DeSantis tell it, everything Trump says is true. While he might not be as skilled at getting things accomplished, he says, Trump is a man with a good heart and he'd never lie to you.

    So for Trump to win, all Trump has to do is... lie. He can make things up about DeSantis's record, his accomplishments, his wife, his children, whatever, and DeSantis cannot dispute any of it because Trump always tells the truth.

    One thing every mobster does to control their underlings is to pull them into the crime: make them do a hit, or make them an accomplice. That way they would be cutting their own throat should they betray the leader. This is what Trump has done to the Republican party, and especially to Ron DeSantis.

    So all Trump has to beat DeSantis is... lie. And also, stay physically alive. For this 80 year-old, the former is still far easier than the latter.

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  9. Mary Stine

    Ken Paxton is like the vampire that can only be killed with a silver stake through the heart, in daylight.
    Texans need to figure out how to drag him into the sunshine and have the right stakes on hand.
    Also, no matter what else Ron DeSantis says or does from here on out, he lost my vote when he started blubbering about pardoning the Jan. 6 crowd. As Maya Angelou noted "when someone tells you who they are, believe them the first time..."
    DeSantis has shown us more than once that he has authoritarian ambitions. Stating that he'd pardon the Jan. 6 crowd, including Trump, is just the final nail in the coffin for me.

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    1. Avatar photo
      Charlie

      Texas House of Representatives is where the sane people are in that state's government.

      Texax Senate is where members try to out-MAGA each other on a regular basis.

      Easy acquittal for Paxton.

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      WilliamJ

      Wooden stake?

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        Stephanie

        Also stuffed with garlic. I think? It’s been years since I read Bram Stoker. But I think Van Helsing recommended it.

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          Aylene Wright

          I believe the OG vampire slaying recipe involves stuffing the mouth with garlic and cutting off the head, too. The stake to the heart is mostly to ensure the vampire is weak enough to allow for the rest.

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            CP

            I read the other day that Stoker was the one who popularized the garlic. In most of these folk traditions he drew from, it could be any one of a variety of herbs.

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        Marty

        Yes.

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      3. Hikingguy

        Aren't silver bullets the remedy for werewolves? It's been a very long time since I saw The Wolfman.

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    PJ

    If Rosendale would make a great senator then my butt would make a great air freshener.

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      JohnM.

      OK, that's funny!

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