Ron DeSantis: not exactly the sharpest knife in the drawer

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   Credence2posted 9 months ago

   "It has dawned on the Republican donor class that they have bought a dead parrot."
   
   It appears that this man is not ready for prime time and remains outside of the league.
   
   In regards to DeSantis campaign for President:
   
   He tries to come across with the populist line of being anti-establishment (DC Republicans). He always appear to come across as phony, as more of an act than a reflection of the real man.
   
   I don't like Donald Trump and I never have, but at least in his con man, lying, grift/graft style he is genuine and unique. I don't think that he could tutor anyone to be as good as he is at it, and still having so much support. That is not my style nor that of anyone who can attract my vote, but it still works for many. I look to the best player that complies with the rules of the game, not someone willing to win by cheating.
   
   DeSantis, his fortunes fading, has had to cut his staff substantially, as he cannot poll as more popular than Trump in his own state.
   
   Like two boys on a grade school playground, bully Trump will thrash DeSantis daily, and in fear of alienating Trump voters, he won't fight back. Trump will even talk about his "mama".  Having his nose bloodied on a daily basis, DeSantis saying, "you ought to see what I did to his fist". He will come across as weak and wishy-washy.
   
   With his anti-Woke rewrite of African American history curriculum, he reveals his weakness. When he was called out by VP Harris as to the ludicrous nature of the content of the course, he got defensive. Ok, that is understandable and some partisanism has to be expected as the foundation for the exchange. But when prominent republicans like Senator Tim Scott of SouthCarolina and the sole Republican member of House of Representatives for Florida who is Black, tell you that you are out of line, that should send a message to you to pause. What conservatives, Black or white, would consider supporting you when so many members of your own party says an approach is inappropriate and needs to be reconsidered?
   
   So what does he do? Instead of evaluating and even acknowledge that this is not just  a Woke issue, he is unnecessarily divisive. He says, are you going to listen to Kamela Harris and Woke D.C. Republicans or are you going to stand with me and the State of Florida?   That is not the issue and he creates a phony line of contention, instead of quietly going back and reevaluating valid complaints about the course curriculum.
   
   A shrewd politician instinctly knows when to hold 'em and when to fold em'. That is not DeSantis, he simply does not have the knack.
   
   His personality is permanently flawed, I don't think that he will taken seriously in 2028, either.

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      Sharlee01posted 9 months agoin reply to this

      Did you catch the GOP Lincoln Dinner speeches?  It was interesting to hear from the candidates.   
      https://www.c-span.org/video/?529533-1/ … oln-dinner
      
      I liked several, but Desantis was not one of them.

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         Credence2posted 9 months agoin reply to this

         Thanks for the link, I will tune in to pick up major highlights.

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      abwilliamsposted 9 months agoin reply to this

      What do you care Cred? You have made it quite clear that you are Blue, Blue and Blue.
      Joe/Kamala have what you deem is required, to finish running this Country into the ground. So, what do you care if a Republican can't measure up to their unique brand of Republic-destroying, blue, blue and blue style?

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         Credence2posted 9 months agoin reply to this

         Yes, AB, it is true, I am blue, Navy blue, I am as blue as I can be, as opposed to the red, Red Robbins that go bob, bob bobbing along.
         
         Seriously, though. It is no surprise to you that I am a left leaning progressive type. I just want people to read the ingredients on wrapper of the Republicans' Pandora's box before they open the package.
         
         Contrary to your opinion, I am terrified with the threat of Republican authoritarianism, showing that when we get to fundamentals they, all the candidates, ultimately seek they same outcome, control of the few over the many. With that, I cannot abide. My mission here is to reveal the contradictions and hypocrisy. That, in itself, is what amounts to the ultimate destruction of the Republic.
         
         Contrary to your view, I trust neither the Republicans, nor the Right, in general, with any degree of power or authority.

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            Kathleen Cochranposted 9 months agoin reply to this

            And the majority of Americans agree. If the popular vote had determined election results, the last GOP president would have been Bush I, who was elected on the coattails of President Reagan (the third most indicted administration in American History behind Trump and Nixon. See a pattern?)

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            1. 84

               Sharlee01posted 9 months agoin reply to this

               There are several arguments in favor of maintaining the Electoral College (EC)system,
               
               The EC ensures that smaller states have a voice in the election process.
               
               This form of the system provides a stable and consistent process for electing presidents. It has been in place since the inception of the United States and has helped avoid contentious and uncertain situations that might arise from a direct popular vote. It has stood the test of time.
               
               In a direct popular vote system, it is possible for multiple candidates to run, resulting in no single candidate securing an absolute majority. This would require a runoff election, which can be costly and time-consuming. Our system helps avoid such situations as it ensures that a candidate wins a majority of electoral votes, preventing the need for a second round of voting.
               
               Another positive the EC can act as a safeguard against large-scale voter fraud. With a direct popular vote system, fraudulent activities in heavily populated areas could disproportionately sway the national outcome. It helps minimizes the impact of potential fraud by focusing on individual states' results, making it more difficult to manipulate the overall outcome.
               
               The United States is a federal republic with a division of powers between the federal government and individual states. The EC reinforces this federal structure by giving states a significant role in the election process. It recognizes that the President represents not just the people but also the interests and sovereignty of the states.
               
               Lastly, our EC is deeply ingrained in American history and traditions. It reflects the Founding Fathers' intention to strike a balance between direct democracy and ensuring that elected leaders have broad-based support.
               
               Would it ever be wise to silence Americans that live in states with low populations?  Do we silence their voices?

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                  Credence2posted 9 months agoin reply to this

                  Splendid, Sharlee, a voice, but not one disproportionate to their numbers.
                  
                  California is 67 times more populated than Wyoming, yet while Wyoming has 1 representative, California has 54. It might sound petty, but in these contentious political times, I am not prepared to yield much to Republicans or conservatives that want to give smaller states an inordinate advantage. When you look at similar disparities in other large states compared with smaller ones, questions have to arise. Who said that the 435 limit for the number of members in the House of Representatives has to have written in stone?
                  
                  The Constitution accommodates small states by giving each state, large and small 2 representatives, that should be enough.

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                     Sharlee01posted 9 months agoin reply to this

                     This evening I am going to borrow a quote from Hillary Clinton --- " What difference does it make'?   
                     
                     I mean with all we have witnessed in the past few years America is no longer an America I recognize or care to defend. I think it is a true waste of time to argue about our Government. I am ready to enjoy my life and leave the arguing to others.

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               Credence2posted 9 months agoin reply to this

               Yes, indeed, Kathleen, what was that, almost 35 years ago?
               
               I don't trust the Republicans and their clinging to the Electoral College, a refuge of scoudrels as they know and fear that they and their popularity are waning daily. When it becomes clear that they can never win on the basis of one man/one vote what in desperation would they resort to?

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                  Ken Burgessposted 9 months agoin reply to this

                  Bread and Circuses
                  
                  The complete collapse of the Republic.
                  
                  The "popular" no need for ID... no need for security and signature verification on "Mail In Ballots" votes.  Exactly what is needed.

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                     Credence2posted 9 months agoin reply to this

                     Don't tell me that you have a problem with one man/one vote? That is the very foundation of our democratic system. I suspect that the Right wants to do away with all of that in its entirety.

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                        Ken Burgessposted 9 months agoin reply to this

                        Athenian democracy came about around 550 BCE.
                        
                        Only free men who had completed their military service were allowed to vote on any legislation. This meant that only about 20% of the population were actually able to vote.
                        
                        Women were not allowed to vote and subsequently possessed significantly fewer rights than men.
                        
                        In the course of his writings, the philosopher Plato extensively examined what he considered serious dangers that resided within the system of democracy.
                        
                        In book VIII of The Republic, Plato predicts Democracy will always become a society with an enormous socioeconomic gap, where the poor remain poor and the rich become richer off the blood and sweat of others.
                        
                        Plato predicts that the people will demand freedom at every turn, fighting any form of authority and demanding more liberty. People become obsessed with their individuality and freedom and become willing to sacrifice necessary things like social order and structure to attain it.
                        
                        I would argue we have reached that point as a society, this is being propagated by our MSM and our Politicians, one could say, the very deconstruction of sound and stable society is deliberately being sought.
                        
                        A Republic, we are not, nor are we a Democracy, we are a Corporatocracy and propagator and driving force behind the NWO One World Government being brought into being.
                        
                        Proof that we are not a Democracy is Biden himself, he was chosen by the establishment, not by the people.
                        
                        Bringing "Uncle Joe" out of mothballs and giving Americans the choice, of going back to the corrupt old cronies being in control of DC, or more of the deplorable Trump.
                        
                        That is how you avert a real insurrection, five years of Trump being Trump and the MSM villifying him, then add in a Pandemic where you scare the bezessus out of the population, and Wala!!!
                        
                        People are now happy to have "Uncle Joe" running the show, they are content with the value of their dollar being worth 30% of what it was a couple years back, and they shut their mouth about a reprehensible war that could devolve into WWIII or Nuclear devastation.
                        
                        There is an illusion of us having a Democracy, but when you have no validation of voters actually being citizens, or that Mail in Ballots are actually Mailed in and Signed by authentic people... that is all that it is, an illusion.
                        
                        Plato’s description of Democracy is thought provoking and should be read by all who think they understand politics.
                        
                        Could it be true that our leaders are the bullies and the political tyrants that Plato describes?
                        
                        Does democracy lead to entangling wars for the benefit of the ruling class?
                        
                        Are the people so subjugated by senseless laws and stiff taxes, that they are unable to resist in any meaningful way?
                        
                        History shows a consistent pattern of subjugation, revolution and subjugation once again.
                        
                        The Founding Fathers (some of them) recognized this, I believe it was Jefferson who argues that the people cannot always be well-informed and that the part which is wrong will be discontented in proportion to the importance of the facts they misconceive.
                        
                        He arguably justifies a revolution every century and a half... we did have the Civil War, one can count that as a revolution of sorts, I am not sure we are capable of another, not with today's technology and soon to be Digital Currency.
                        
                        Try to remember that Plato is often considered one of the wisest men to ever live; an individual whose work was so profound that it shaped the direction of western thought and culture.
                        
                        He didn't think too fondly of Democracy, particularly the type you are advocating for... Bread and Circuses.

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                           Credence2posted 9 months agoin reply to this

                           Well, my opinion is that this new MAGA conservative based movement that you really have been advocating is basically anti-democratic. That is the new vogue for conservatives, isn't it, to wean the public away from majority rule in favor of control by some strong man type, right. Was Hungary the model as presented by Tucker Carlson a couple of years ago? As an authoritarian regime, Republicans invited their President, the tyrant, to one of its CPACs as a guest speaker. Not too hard to see the writing on the wall, Ken, as to what my adversaries are really promoting.
                           
                           I have to brush up on Plato and the Ancient Greek philosophers. While he was amongst the wisest of men, there are others that can compete with him along with the fact that in my opinion, no man is infallible.
                           
                           So, since you hold democracy under such disdain, what is your alternative?
                           
                           I advocate for majority rule and rule of law, be certain that anything less will be the end of the American experiment as we have known it.
                           
                           European social based democracies seem to work fine and I would prefer that to a more tyrannical approach offered by the political right. Rest assured this will not be taken sitting down. I advocate a far less lenient approach by law enforcement in the case of another J6 type fiasco.
                           
                           We have managed to hold this Republic together for almost 250 years, it is only the Rightwinger that threaten its downfall. Because of greed and the lust for power, oligarchy and plutocracy can no longer coexist within a democratic system.
                           
                           Conservatives are making excuses about the electoral system as justification to disenfranchise people who do not get on board with its agenda. I don't care a whit about what Republicans or conservatives believe about the election. You must prove that any aberration ultimately  effected the outcome of the election, otherwise, I say no proof, no soap.
                           
                           Whatever the reason we have Biden, he was still elected by the majority of Americans and that is good enough for me. I am going to take issue with anyone or entity that threaten to remove the democratic process or allow control of the majority based on the will of a few. That will not occur without a total disembowel of the entire country to the point where it can never take a prominent place in world ever again. 
                           
                           What social order, whose social order?

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2. 75

   Ken Burgessposted 9 months ago

   "Ron DeSantis: not exactly the sharpest knife in the drawer"
   
   And Biden clearly is.

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      Credence2posted 9 months agoin reply to this

      Compared to DeSantis, yes he is....

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         Ken Burgessposted 9 months agoin reply to this

         You and I obviously do not occupy the same earth.

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            Credence2posted 9 months agoin reply to this

            true, Ken, but we both sort of  understood that from the beginning.

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               Ken Burgessposted 9 months agoin reply to this

               Well, you accept the absolutely deplorable and criminal, as tolerable, because they are Democrats.  IE - Biden.
               
               But expect others to deplore and detest politicians, of the other party, because they have some of the same flaws. IE - Trump.
               
               Now, I don't know why DeSantis became deluded into thinking he had a shot at the Presidency in 2024.  But he can't pull the populist support that Trump can.  And he can't pull the "old school" or RINO Republicans either as he is, to them, as bad as Trump.
               
               DeSantis instead of moving to the center, after deciding to run for President, moved further to the right with his actions and rhetoric.  This is a losing strategy, because those loyal to Trump are not going to move in his direction, and those turned off by Trump are not going to turn to DeSantis who is trying to out-right-wing Trump.
               
               Trump, is in fact quite moderate in actions and policy, if not by words.
               
               Depending of course, on what your definition of moderate is, considering where things are today, with this Administration, what was moderate 4 years ago might very well be considered extreme right-wing today.

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                  Credence2posted 9 months agoin reply to this

                  Well, Ken, it is funny that on another thread when you spoke of grafting politicians, you referred to Pelosi, Biden, Schumer, etc, all Democrats. You are always saying that they are all the same regardless of political party. Or affiliation.  But,  I never hear you mention a Republican as part of this problem. Does not sound "impartial" to me.
                  
                  I do see that DeSantis is not up to the task and never appears to be credible in any role that he chooses to play.
                  
                  Republicans need to realize that in the struggle to show who is the most reactionary amongst them, they have to win a general election against Democrats and independents who might not take kindly to the hard Right persona.
                  
                  Moderate is a relative term. I do know that Trump warned the party against a hard nosed attitude regarding the reproductive rights issue. I never believed that Trump believed in any principle, being basically amoral. He is speaking more on what it takes to win and not lose constituencies unnecessarily.
                  
                  I believe the Republicans have doubled down on the most extreme rightwing positions to their detriment and relative to that, Trump may well be a moderate.

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                     Ken Burgessposted 9 months agoin reply to this

                     That is a fair point.
                     
                     Mitch McConnell, Lindsey Graham are two I dislike as much as them.
                     
                     So there you go.
                     
                     The politicians I do like however, happen to be Republican, few though they are, like Rand Paul.

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      DrMark1961posted 9 months agoin reply to this

      Yeah, being the sharpest knife in the drawer is one thing that the Big Guy has never been accused of, by either side of the aisle.

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         Sharlee01posted 9 months agoin reply to this

         Yes! For over 50 years in Washington he has been a flower on the wall, a "Big Guy" that most of the time hooked onto the wrong congressional peer. He just never seemed to get it right. I think Obama's nickname was very suitable for Biden "Uncle Joe".   I still need to pinch myself when to realize this guy is the president.

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            DrMark1961posted 9 months agoin reply to this

            I got a real chuckle out of the OP. Imagine old Joe being accused of being the sharpest knife in the drawer! Even with the MSM still being so anti-Trump and defending him even when he brags about using extortion against Ukraine I have never heard any of them claim that he was a sharp guy.

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               Credence2posted 9 months agoin reply to this

               Go ahead and laugh, Doc, the reality is that life and circumstances are relative. Depends on your point of view, I think that Trump is the dumbest guy on two legs and that DeSantis is a dead parrot, but again that is just my opinion. Yet, those are the guys that you believe are the best leaders?

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                  DrMark1961posted 9 months agoin reply to this

                  No, not the best, but considering the alternative....

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   Willowarborposted 9 months ago

   In my opinion, he speaks to Americans as if we are incapable of logic and maintaining something other than a black and white perspective. The final straw for me, was his rewriting of the history of slavery and then claiming that you're either with the state of Florida or you're with VP Harris. Really? The polarization of absolutely every issue, the reducing of every issue into overly simplistic terms is something the American public is growing tired of.

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      Credence2posted 9 months agoin reply to this

      Exactly, is he prepared to do the heavy lifting in support and defense of his policy positions or is he content to just press buttons?
      
      As I told ESOteric sometime back, this is not the stuff of presidential timber, it is particle board.

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