Scott Powers
A handful of Florida Democratic figures and strategists have formed a new anti-Gov. Ron DeSantis group and are pledging to begin the campaign against his reelection now, even as the Democrats search for a viable alternative.
Ron Be Gone, a 527 political organization, is being organized with former U.S. Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell, Coral Springs Vice Mayor Josh Simmons, former state Rep. Cindy Polo, and veteran Florida Democratic strategists Brice Barnes, Joshua Karp, and Lindsay Pollard.
The group is signaling its arrival with launch of a video that seeks to tie DeSantis to former President Donald Trump, whom the narrator calls “his role model.” The minute-plus video mixes humor and angst, characterizing DeSantis as Trump’s follower and charging that, like Trump, he holds blame for how bad the coronavirus crisis became.
“Ron DeSantis’ failure to protect Floridians during this pandemic will go down as one of the greatest catastrophes in Florida history,” Mucarsel-Powell said in a news release from the group. “I’m glad to be a part of this effort, because the stakes couldn’t be higher for Floridians.”
“For two years, Ron DeSantis has been singularly dedicated to advancing his own political career, not the interests of everyday Floridians,” Polo said in the release.
“Florida needs leadership that puts people first, not wealthy donors and special interests,” Simmons said in the release, apparently referring to the latest controversy — reports the Governor allowed wealthy neighborhoods to cut line for COVID-19 vaccines, something DeSantis has denied.
The video begins with the much-talked-about portion of one of DeSantis’ early 2018 campaign TV commercials in which he reverently reads a Trump campaign sign to his young daughter. Various images and comments follow designed to show a close relationship between Trump and DeSantis, including video of DeSantis standing beside Trump at a rally, while someone waves a QAnon sign at them. Then the tone turns dark, with images of the COVID-19 pandemic, including a flag-covered coffin, and videos of both Trump and DeSantis attacking the press for reporting on the crisis.
“It’s time to get rid of Trumpism for good,” the narrator concludes. “It’s time, Ron. Be gone.”
The organization pledges a sustained effort, running through Election Day 2022. That is to include eventually supporting whomever becomes the Democrats’ nominee, though the organization says it will not take sides before the primary.
Ron Be Gone is not the first independent anti-DeSantis group to form and make a splash.
Remove Ron, a political committee founded by Walton County lawyer and faux Grim Reaper Daniel Uhlfelder, began earlier this year. It drew attention at the CPAC conference in Orlando last month by hiring a plane to fly banners in the area around the Orlando Hyatt where the conference was held. That organization raised $53,000 last month.
Ron Be Gone from Ron Be Gone on Vimeo.
18 comments
Sonja Fitch
March 15, 2021 at 5:31 am
Is it 2022 YET? Duffus is is still willingly slaughtering Floridians! Why? Cause Duffus Desantis does whatever the goptrump cult sociopath racist sexist liar Trump wants done. Duffus Desantis is for the rich white men . Vote Democrat up and down ballot for the elections in 2022!
Jack Hingstrum
March 16, 2021 at 3:27 pm
SF is the poster person for “STUPID”!!!!!
Andrew
March 16, 2021 at 5:23 pm
You sound very unhinged. Please take care of yourself because blaming DeSantis and Trump for your anger isn’t working
Kat
March 16, 2021 at 5:47 pm
Florida will stay REPUBLICAN. We don’t want communism or a cancel culture. Floridians will never accept that. If you’re a true Floridian BORN in FLORIDA, you would know that. The majority of these members trying to oust Desantis are not even real Floridians, born in Ecuador, Rhode Island, Missouri, etc. They don’t know the heart of Florida. They are Democrats trying to flip the state BLUE if you don’t like Florida MOVE.
Val Grant
March 15, 2021 at 8:48 am
What is wrong with you people still carrying your junior high school pettiness against Trump who is neither a socialist nor a communist and cares about our free country, creating jobs not taking them away as your so called leader Biden is doing and burdening us with thousands of Immigrants carrying guns, drugs and viruses into our already crippled state!
Florida has opened up to where people are beginning to enjoy living again as well as So Dakota and other states are following suit. There are northerners vacationing here who state they have to return north to their “jailed” existence.
Is that what you want? Shame on you!
James Robert Miles
March 15, 2021 at 9:36 am
If your definition of freedom includes suppressing free speech, the free press and throwing up borders to keep people out of the U.S. and discriminating against certain minority groups than Trump is your man! He represents everything that the U.S. is NOT especially with regard to voting rights. Trump is the world’s biggest LIAR! If you can’t see Trump for what he is, a fascist wanna-be dictator, than you are dumber than dirt. I suggest that you move to North Korea or Cuba if you want an authoritarian dictatorship where you will fit right in! America is NOT about this kind of thinking!
kat
March 16, 2021 at 5:50 pm
I wonder where you’re getting your facts. You are lost. You should do some research and really see all sides. Doesn’t sound like you have.
Charlotte Greenbarg
March 15, 2021 at 10:46 am
Did anyone notice Trump won FL? By what’s considered a landslide in this state? Sonja Fitch is a slatherer who posts vulgar dreck on her fence, garbage that kids in her neighborhood see, that parents object to. So whatever she says needs to be examined through that prism.
I watched one-term and gone Cindy Polo screw up her face and spit out venom all through the Session. Replaced by a Republican! Just like Margaret Good, remember her? These far left haters are something else. They spew lies just as Socialists/Communists do, hoping that if they repeat lies enough they’ll become truth in the minds of those who were never taught to think.
Kat
March 16, 2021 at 5:56 pm
You nailed it. Even Brice Barnes dumped her previous potential Dem Governor since he was a LOSER before he got to the finish line. Couldn’t stick it out, maybe it was the money? I feel sorry for the next candidate.
JC
March 15, 2021 at 2:15 pm
Trump won Florida. By 2022, Biden’s policies will will have ruined America and the hate Trump crowd will have a limited audience.
ted bartholemu
March 15, 2021 at 3:46 pm
Do you own a TV set to witness trump’s insurrection by Domestic terrorists who flourished under trumpims adding to the 520,000 dead Americans because of trump’s belligerent negligence who’s ludicrous conspiracies fed to his disciples at his mind control rallies will be his final epitaph before he ends up joining his pardoned cronies already sentenced to jail?
Jack Hingstrum
March 16, 2021 at 3:33 pm
teddy is the poster child for a “political hack”!
ted bartholemu
March 17, 2021 at 1:07 pm
Even though you are so frustrated that you have nothing intelligent to say No need to label people with juvenile Insults since trump is gone
ted bartholemu
March 17, 2021 at 1:11 pm
Even though you are so frustrated that you have nothing intelligent to say No need to label people with juvenile Insults anymore since trump is gone
kat
March 16, 2021 at 6:01 pm
You may have not read or seen much either, did you forget all the DEMOCRATS that condoned the rioting destroyed monuments and personal property in excess of 30 million, as well as killed 20?? Get over yourself. Get some facts.
ted bartholemu
March 17, 2021 at 1:16 pm
What does that have to do with a POTUS who incited mobs of domestic terrorists who flourished under his regime to invade the US Capitol to stop Congress from certifying the most secure election in US history so he could maintain power long enough to surpass the Statute of Limitations trying to avoid joining his pardoned cronies already sentenced to jail terms?
Kat
March 16, 2021 at 6:02 pm
🙂 You bet!
Maureen Novak
March 17, 2021 at 2:42 am
Amen to this. DeSatan is a Trump wanna be. Dangerous and self serving. Lots of NYers moving to this state, “ in droves” as DeSatan said recently. He also stated “Take that NY,” referring to Cuomo. NY can’t wait to see Trump in court, likely in jail. Florida Republican heads are gonna spin these next 4 years, and now, as a full time Floridain from NY, I’m going to love watching 🔵
Comments are closed.