Peter Schorsch
The 2022 race for Florida Governor is officially over.
There, I said it.
As one of the most prominent allies of former U.S. Rep. Charlie Crist, it breaks my heart to write that. And because my wife was once one of Crist’s most loyal aides-de-camp, it probably will get me in trouble around the house.
But my ultimate job in Florida politics is to call balls and strikes, and I pride myself on making tough calls even when they go against what I personally want or believe.
That’s why, in 2015, we published the first poll showing Donald Trump leading Jeb Bush. That’s why, in 2016, we predicted Trump would defeat Hillary Clinton in the Sunshine State. And that’s why, in 2018, I was the first (and one of the only) pundits to forecast that Ron DeSantis and Andrew Gillum would win their respective Primaries.
It’s worth noting that I’ve also made some boneheaded predictions, such as that Gillum would beat DeSantis. But, like in baseball, batting .300 can make you an all-star.
It doesn’t take being a scientist at SpaceX to recognize DeSantis will defeat Crist in November. All of the data — DeSantis’ massive fundraising advantage, the Florida GOP’s voter registration surge, all polling — point to a DeSantis win probably greater than the 3.5 points Trump defeated Joe Biden by in Florida in 2020.
My job here is to play medical examiner and, in this case, that means declaring the race dead.
What’s interesting is the cause and time of death: The words of President Biden, sometime in the early afternoon on Tuesday, Oct. 5.
“I think he’s done a good job,” Biden told reporters, offering his assessment of DeSantis’ response to the devastation wrought by Hurricane Ian. POTUS then added, “We have very different political philosophies, but we’ve worked hand in glove.”
I don’t know where Crist was at the moment Biden’s words made it into the political atmosphere, but I imagine the blood drained from his tanned face.
As Florida Politics reporter (and Southwest Florida resident) Jacob Ogles noted instantly, with those words, Biden all but endorsed DeSantis, white boots and all, for re-election — even if he didn’t mean or want to.
While there are still major policy and attitudinal differences between DeSantis and Crist, the Democratic President of the United States essentially ended the intellectual argument for any swing or undecided voters to pick Crist over DeSantis.
If you are the DeSantis campaign, with more money than Crassus, you quickly cut a digital ad that highlights Biden’s words and put it on repeat on MSNBC.
It’s probably no coincidence that, also on Tuesday, it was announced the only scheduled debate between DeSantis and Crist is postponed while the Governor leads the state’s disaster response efforts.
At this point, what is the point of them debating?
Of course, again, DeSantis’ supporters will respond to this assessment of the finality of the race as me playing Captain Obvious. After all, the most recent Mason Dixon poll showed DeSantis leading Crist by double digits.
Even if the race were closer and even if Biden had not offered a ringing endorsement of DeSantis’ response, the evidence on the ground in Southwest Florida is clear: the state’s response to Ian has been nothing short of Herculean.
Sure, DeSantis has been occasionally snippy with the national media. And, yes, there are questions to be answered about why some local officials did not do more to warn their constituents about the possible danger from the hurricane. But overall, the restoration efforts are impressive.
If nothing else, THE STATE BUILT A TEMPORARY BRIDGE TO A CUT-OFF ISLAND IN THREE DAYS!
That’s right, a bridge was built in the time it takes to get your dry cleaning returned. Put that on loop for the rest of October.
For his part, Crist made two major mistakes in the General Election campaign. The first was selecting Karla Hernández, who added very little to the ticket while quickly becoming a lightning rod for controversy. Not that Crist had many good options for his LG pick, thanks to Florida’s resign-to-run laws preventing any prominent elected officials from running for statewide office without giving up their current platform.
The second mistake Crist made, and this is definitely in hindsight, was resigning early from Congress. His reason for resigning was not without merit — it was a necessary move to tap the power of the three-pack advertising machine, which allows state party operations to run ads that technically support three candidates, but functionally only support one. But there’s a major disadvantage to it: Crist has not been able to play an official role in the response to Hurricane Ian.
Were Crist still in Congress, he would have been at the POTUS visit to the region yesterday. I’m told Biden specifically asked for Crist to be there, but with Crist no longer in the U.S. House, there was no official reason for him to show up.
And so, now all that is left is to see what kind of margin of victory DeSantis earns.
And what assessment do we make of Crist’s political career?
To use football metaphors to answer both questions, I think the spread has to be DeSantis by at least a touchdown. And Crist is the Jim Kelly-led Buffalo Bills of the 1990s.
Like those Bills, Crist will have lost the big game four times (’98 and ’10 U.S. Senate bids, ’14 and ’22 gubernatorial bids). Now, unlike Kelly, Bruce Smith and Thurman Thomas, Crist won a ring (2006 Governor’s race) and has been a decent and effective member of Congress. And I’m not sure he couldn’t win a Democratic Primary in 2024 to face-off versus Rick Scott.
Whether you think Crist has been a great politician is probably akin to how folks feel about the Bills. Do four Super Bowl appearances make you great? Well, Kelly, Smith, Thomas and Reed are all NFL Hall of Famers despite their losses, so maybe Crist can find comfort in that.
Crist played the game as well as he could. As someone who has followed his political career from his very first bid for the Florida Senate, I can honestly say he is a better, more thoughtful, more empathetic politician today than at any point in his career. Had he not gotten bit by ambition to be Vice President, he likely would have won another Super Bowl, err, election; had he not been distracted by his ex-wife, Carole, who tarnished his feel-good brand, he probably could have won in 2014 versus the unpopular incumbent.
But that’s all armchair quarterbacking.
88 comments
Impeach Biden
October 6, 2022 at 9:07 am
Many of us knew this Governor election was over a long time ago.
Charlie Crist
October 6, 2022 at 10:25 pm
👆 Russian propagandist…
Concern Citizen
October 6, 2022 at 9:08 am
It only demonstrates that President Biden is a unifier. We need more leaders that will bring Floridians together. Does our current Governors and his mouthpiece , Christina Pushaw, divide or unify the good citizens of Florida?
US first for once…
October 6, 2022 at 7:55 pm
He is as far from a “unifier” as you can get. He’s tearing this country down. We can’t get rid of him soon enough. He’s killing EVERYTHING that America stands for. He’s an idiot!!! I could go on but I think you get the gist.
Joe Corsin
October 6, 2022 at 10:26 pm
You mean TRUMP!!!!!!!
Paul Smith
October 7, 2022 at 1:56 am
No moron President Trump did everything he could to make this country better . Where are the gas prices now idiot Trump has gas prices lower than they’ve been in 20 years. Your asshat president stopped the pipeline from Canada and he has us buying oil from the Arabs. Yes he’s doing a great job. POS 🤬🤬
Joe Corsin
October 7, 2022 at 9:41 am
Trump did absolutely nothing but sit on his balls and insult people for four years while the economy overheated. Gas was low because of the pandemic. You people are stupid as sht. Need a big smack.
marylou
October 7, 2022 at 10:28 am
Look at the RECORD OIL COMPANY PROFITS! That’s why your gas price is high! The pipeline would destroy the environment–which most people care about–see surveys if you don’t already know that people care more about a livable planet than about YOUR CHEAP GAS!
No one owes you cheap gas. No one owes Big Grease a profit. The oil companies are not drilling on the 1,000+ leases that they already have! They don’t think their profits would be high enough to make it worth their investment! In other words: Oil companies are the ones who want you to pay more–not Biden!
And, right, you think gas prices are the most important thing in the world! You missed the memo that Republican “leaders” now want you to start bleating about milk prices!
Todd
October 8, 2022 at 8:41 am
BIDEN 2024!!!!!!
Vance
October 7, 2022 at 10:21 am
I deserve a big smack?!? Like to see a liberal that can do that. Liberals are the party of keyboard warriors, freaks and handouts. I’m sure you will reply with a fierceness but we all know it’s just empty words typed by a weak minded, little sissy (fill in the blank with whatever you “identify” as) lol. Why don’t you leave the best state in the union. Head to California…I’m sure Newsom’s planning on making it legal for your freak kind to do anything you desire.
KayAnn56
October 7, 2022 at 5:18 am
You must be joking! Biden has done more to divide this country than anyone in history.
Tom
October 6, 2022 at 9:15 am
My compliments to you Peter. Your objective candor is refreshing. The Presidential seal moment, sealed it in my view.
I wrote yesterday on statecraft and stagecraft. America’s Gov recv’d what he needed, the Feds commitment to help further, as the presidential seal only enhanced Govs brand. We’re you watching Gov. Youngkin? And POTUS, needed to show Floridians and independents the good will.
His 39% Florida approval is anemic. It’s called a win, win.
I also agree that Crist leaving Congress is a bad decision now. Just saying. The Lt G. selection is horrendous. She’s horrible.
Complacency is a concern, and the Sw region is a wreck for an election to be held.
The challenges make a person.
America’s Gov is second to none.
100 yr pandemic, Grade A.
Surfside disaster, Grade A.
Florida Economy, Grade A.
Hurricane Cat. 4/5 with 145 mile winds. Grade B. Gov Ron excels in crisis.
Appreciate the honesty Peter, compared to the scurrilous 5% Dem haters on FP, it’s refreshing.
Thank you!
Joe Corsin
October 6, 2022 at 9:52 am
Tropical 2 sea whirlwind
Tjb
October 6, 2022 at 9:58 am
100+ dead, no evacuation notice by DeSantis even when days before the storm surges was predicted to be 6 to 12 feet, surges two three times the height of the elevation on Sanibel, Pine Island and Fort Myers Beach.
Grade: F
Not a very good decision for a governor who is PRO-LIFE
Paul Passarelli
October 6, 2022 at 10:04 am
@Tbj, Remember what I wrote about you being an idiot? Well, there you go again proving me correct.
The emergency was declared, it’s up to the individual ***Counties*** to order evacuations.
Didn’t you spew some nonsense about being a Native Floridian? I guess that was a troll’s lie too.
Joe Corsin
October 6, 2022 at 11:14 am
Paul Pizzarelli is a narcissistic buffoon..just tries to degrade and insult people every chance he gets. Just an asshole. Buddy we gonna take your money and you gonna get your ass whipped if you act like that in public.
Tom
October 6, 2022 at 11:24 am
See Peter, this Joey Corsin is a China bot. Menace to society, threatens physical harm. A know nothing.
FP needs to remove him and his aliases.
Paul Passarelli
October 6, 2022 at 1:05 pm
That’s a lot of empty talk for a Soros Troll who uses fake aliases.
Tjb
October 6, 2022 at 12:18 pm
Paul,
So you are telling me that DeSantis could not have told the Lee County folks to evacuate the barrier islands,? These folks are his base and puppets. A leader would have told them to evacuate to save lives.
Again, I am amazed that you even received 1% of the vote when you ran for state office in Connecticut. Go home Paul, the Carpetbagger, Paul, is it true the Jeffery Dahmer , as a write in, had more votes than you. I think Trump would have call you a very, very big loser.
Concern Citizen
October 6, 2022 at 1:04 pm
Doesn’t the Governor have executive power to order evacuation?
Tom
October 6, 2022 at 1:42 pm
Yes, he declared, he came on t v encouraging evacuation. He said it
Sunday, Monday & Tu. Locals have to enforce.
He encouraged people to leave area, go to other parts of state if needed. He said seek shelters. He didn’t encourage anyone to stay home.
My goodness!
Tom
October 6, 2022 at 10:08 am
See Peter, the haters find any false thing to cling to.
Tjb, you are mentally unstable.
You idiot, Gov issued declaration disaster on Sat. He repeated evacuation orders Sun, Mon and Tu.
Be quiet. Evacuations are pushed through by local and county, state echos the need. He did.
The Dems lying machine never stops.
BTW, FP is disgraced by Joey Corsin and Elliot Offen.
Charlie Crist
October 6, 2022 at 11:19 am
👆 Funny this guy calling everyone else mentally unstable when he’s obviously ten cards short of a full deck. Also intellectual disabilities are apparent. This is why it’s important to vote for me. The Republican representatives are merely a reflection of their voters greed and stupidity. We must take all these people’s money and leave them in a ditch with their pants down around their ankles.
Patricia Horton
October 6, 2022 at 2:33 pm
Just got my ballot in the mail. Voted for you immediately.
Paul Passarelli
October 6, 2022 at 4:21 pm
Where is the face-palm emoji. I am utterly dismayed. Patricia Horton might be an honest-to-goodness Democrat(vs. another fake alias), or at least as dumb as one. Why? Three reasons:
1) Obviously she voted Democrat
2) She thinks that the fake alias Charlie Crist is actually posting here.
3) This occurred to me — https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/sarasota-fl/patricia-horton-10215423
Suzanne
October 7, 2022 at 5:38 am
How can you talk like that if you are a politician? Aren’t you supposed to be nice to everyone for their votes? I saw DeSantis on Tv days before the storm warning to evacuate. Why do you all have to say mean things to each other? Whatever happened to Love your God, love your neighbor as yourself. We are suppose to be kind to each other, not tear each other apart.
Tom
October 7, 2022 at 10:26 am
Dumb ass Joey Corsin.
Tom
October 7, 2022 at 10:35 am
Suzanne, he is not.
He is Joey Corsin, with several aliases. He has an injured psyche, total TDS. Obsessed with ex POTUS 45.
I have called him out, as he is a Chinese Soros Manchurian bot.
Ignore him. He threatens physical violence. His reference to Crisp is retarded. FP should be embarrassed.
Paul Passarelli
October 6, 2022 at 1:12 pm
Hey Tom,
To say he’s mentally unstable would be to concede that he might be less than a *LIAR* and a Soros Troll.
While I would prefer it if they would just go away and troll someplace else; it is apparent that the admin of FP genuinely enjoys the see the shitstorm. I think he thinks it somehow lends him credibility.
At least when Larry Flynt made a stand and published Hustler in defiance of the decency standards, he had a clear goal in mind; that goal was ** LIBERTY **
These Leftwing idiots are arguing for their own eventual extermination. That’s just stupid.
Tom
October 6, 2022 at 1:36 pm
Paul, I referred Tjb, as for Joey corsin, he’s deranged.
FP needs to remove him and his aliases.
Joe Corsin
October 6, 2022 at 1:58 pm
Soros troll. So much neo nazi propaganda and conspiracy theory nonsense.
Tjb
October 6, 2022 at 2:31 pm
Paul,
How in the hell dod you get 1% of the vote when you run for state office in Connecticut? Stating this fact make me a liar. Here are the results Mr. 1%
Comptroller Race Results , Connecticut 2018.
Candidate Party Votes Pct.
Kevin Lembo*
Dem.
741,043 54.9%
Kurt Miller
Rep.
584,489 43.3
Paul Passarelli
Lib.
12,996 1.0
Edward Heflin
Green
10,181 0.8
Paul Passarelli
October 6, 2022 at 3:54 pm
The Comptroller thing was just me fleshing out the slate for the LPCT’s gubernatorial race.
My race was in 2012 for US Senate. Go look on Chris Murphy’s wikipedia page. Or maybe it was Ballotpedia, I don’t really remember. The numbers are still there.
If you want to see how screwed up CT politics is, go back to where you found that data then compare how many voted I got to Rod’s numbers (the man at the top of the ticked) in the same election. Keeping in mind he campaigned that year — I hadn’t bee on the trail for SIX YEARS.
You can try to mock me, but in the end, I convinced >25,000 of the SMARTEST PEOPLE IN CT that neither the Democrat nor the Republican were going to best serve them in Washington.
And History has proved my correct. US Senator Chris Murphy (D)-CT has consistently proven to be either the dumbest or among the dumbest senators in DC for the past ten years! He actually believes he’s going to be POTUS someday.
Tjb
October 6, 2022 at 4:56 pm
Paul,
In 2012 you got 1.7 % of the vote for the Connecticut Senate seat, in 2018 when you ran for State Comptroller, you had 1%.
Keep up the good work, Paul. You will get to 0% eventually.
marylou
October 7, 2022 at 12:02 pm
** LIBERTY **: You mean like banning books and women’s right to abortion?
Even Libertarian’s idol Ayn Rand supported a woman’s moral right to abortion. Without the right, she felt that women were treated as “brood mares”. Rand considered abortion to be “probably the most important issue”, and thought that any politician who failed to protect abortion rights could not be trusted to protect any rights at all. Rand also supported the right to read books, although she considered many to be not worth reading.
lou
October 6, 2022 at 11:57 am
you cant predict the weather or a direction of a hurricane, just saying
Tom
October 6, 2022 at 1:00 pm
Lou, thanks.
Common sense says that but under corrupt Dem liberal mythology, per morning hoe” Joe on msdnc, if you are Repub. Gov u are supposed to.
Corrupt Lincoln group, the 5% haters on FP, tjb, Frankie, nail, peter h, corsin, offen, Morton, Palmer, and many others you are fair game as Repub.
These people are fundamentally corrupt beings. Just follow me! I am the FP legend. My outline above helps clarify.
Just stay engaged, Gov and Marco win big!
Charlie Crist
October 6, 2022 at 4:45 pm
Tom is a victim of narcissistic delusion… grandiose delusion. Calls himself “a legend” but in actuality severe mental and intellectual disorder.
Cindy
October 6, 2022 at 3:15 pm
Two to three days before the hurricane came on shore it was predicted that landfall would be in Florida’s Big Bend area with a direct hit in Cedar Key. At that time, Levy County issued a mandatory evacuation. By the time the cone was determined to be in Lee County, I-75 was a parking lot and gas stations were running out of fuel. Get your head out of the blame game. It’s stupid and infantile.
Diane Kibel
October 6, 2022 at 7:32 pm
Such a bunch of lies. DeSantis made countless pleas to those in Zones A B and C saying if leaving Monday it may be too late. He. Stopped all tolls on toll roads and turnpike to make it easier and faster to leave. We received a phone call saying if we lived in those zones we must evacuate and gave shelter info for people with or without pets. It was constantly on tv or radio or internet. Once before it was headed to Tampa and then turned. Don’t blame anyone but yourselves. You had early warning but chose to ignore it. DeSantis has had no sleep for several days worrying about the citizens of FL. Everything for power was staged so as soon as weather permitted electric could be restored. Lives were saved by first responders.
Larry
October 6, 2022 at 9:08 pm
People had time to get out of the way of a almost Cat 5. Hurricane even after they pinpointed where it was going to hit. It was not the GOVENORS fault they made the wrong decision to stay in its path !!!
Fred Eversole
October 7, 2022 at 7:59 am
Why do you feel people have to be told to save themselves? We sat in front of our TV for more than two days in Jacksonville area deciding whether or not to evacuate. That wasn’t a decision most of us were relying on someone else to make for us.
Rob
October 7, 2022 at 11:49 am
He gave the evacuation order, if you knew anything you would know the government (has no authority) can not go door to door and remove people from their homes it is the choice of the homeowner. Government can only suggest you leave for your own safety.
Lindsey
October 8, 2022 at 2:56 am
Are you serious! We had evac orders days before the storm! It was those peoples choices to stay and why not they’ve been through them before down there. Those storm surges were pedicures well in advance as well. Don’t blame our wonderful governor for others choices to stay with there homes. They even opened the emergency lanes on the interstates so traffic could move more easily out of and suspended tolls…. Days in advance I might add. You obviously don’t live here if you didn’t see the evac orders because they were literally mandatory for all coastal areas and then some.
Paul Passarelli
October 8, 2022 at 10:17 am
Hi Lindsey,
You need to understand that @Tjb is a Soros Troll that uses multiple aliases to stir up the shit. His arguments are specious and he knows that he’s lying every time he posts.
The stations out of Tampa basically switched over to ‘Everything Ian, all the time’ starting Monday the 29th. But that doesn’t deter the lying Democrats from saying that they were given no warnings by the Governor. It’s a lie and they know it.
Democrats lie. Just google the sentence: “He didn’t win, did he?” and Google will bring up vast numbers of results of how “Whorehouse” Harry Reid lied on the Senate floor! They think the ends justify the means regardless of the cost.
Fran Ottino
October 8, 2022 at 6:33 pm
I guess your cable went out days before the storm because he was on every cable show and local news in NYC for many days before the storm warning people about how bad the storm would be, which direction it was going, when it changed direction and to make plans to leave immediately. He warned people they would not be able to rescue anyone once the storm started until it subsided. This man knows what he is doing and does it well. Even Biden recognized that & there are times the poor man doesn’t even know where he is, or who he is married to. If you claim to be “woke” you really should wake up..
Reina Carmen
October 7, 2022 at 2:21 am
Those grades you give DeSantis are absolutely absurd.
100-year pandemic -Grade F. Florida has the 3rd highest death rate in the US and Florida changed its COVID-19 data, creating an ‘artificial decline’ in deaths.
Surfside collapse – Grade D. surfside tragedy spurred promises but no action from Florida’s elected officials.
Florida’s economy – not the best, not the worst. It ranks 14th lowest unemployment rate,
Hurricane – yet to be seen. It’s still early.
Tom
October 7, 2022 at 8:03 am
Full of manure Reina Carmen.
What kind of moron are you?
You Dumnycrats are ignoramuses.
Of course he gets a A on Covid!
Most seniors inoculated in USA.
Monoclonal centers.
Kept schools opened, jobs employment is number 1. No comparison to rest of the country.
Grade A.
Biden, Fauci had over million deaths you idiot.
His leadership on surf side is highly regarded, common knowledge.
Grade A
Hurricane, best clean up ever.
More assets, volunteers and public, private cooperation. Lives being restored.
Stop with the scurrilous lies about Covid medical data being manipulated. My gosh the lies!
Florida is the economic and freedom example.
Paul Passarelli
October 6, 2022 at 9:30 am
You are correct, but for the wrong reasons(*). DeSantis has *PROVEN* he’s the best damn governor in the entire country.
(*) A Biden endorsement would be like a bear hug from Golgotha the sludge demon(**).
(**) That’s a reference to the movie “Dogma” for you Soros(+) Trolls, fake aliases, & kids out there.
(+) This made me smile, as I expect that George Soros is rapidly approaching his due date in hell.
Claude Kirk the younger
October 6, 2022 at 9:40 am
The way I see it the puppet masters who tell Biden what to do and say actually acted in Charlie Crist’s best interest of winning Florida.
They correctly calculated any endorsement from their floundering puppet, Biden, for Crist would hurt Crist much more than help Crist in getting Florida votes.
I think Biden’s puppet masters were correct Peter. So please feel free to show my assessment to your wife. This will totally get you out of the dog house so you two can enjoy a nice happy weekend together. Just be thankfull Biden stayed on script.
To wrap it up: Biden’s non-endorsement of Crist in leftist spin terminology is actually a rousing balls to the wall strongest endorsement of Crist the current White House could have possably delivered. Have a nice weekend. You are welcome.
Joe Corsin
October 6, 2022 at 9:51 am
Tropical 2 swirling ocean typhooncane…
Jay Smif
October 6, 2022 at 12:48 pm
Pudgy fascist Ron DeSantis is currently begging for as many “woke, socialist” taxpayer dollars as he can scam for the state, and as soon as the election is over, he’ll remove all abortion rights for women in the state, and make it legal for anyone over the age of 18 to carry a concealed firearm with no training or permit required, while also making it legal to hunt “the gays” for sport, but you guys keep telling yourself that the man who established a secret police force that answers only to him is a “freedom fighter,” not the nazi the rest of the country knows him to be is.
RL
October 6, 2022 at 1:04 pm
Just to clear up the three day bridge comment. The locals on Pine Island had been asking for approval to build the temp road themselves and had to go to the Governor to cut the red tape. The local contractors built the temp road not the State.
Paul Passarelli
October 6, 2022 at 5:03 pm
And back in ’92 when Andrew cut the state in half, then governor Lawton Chiles (D) used the FHP to prevent vital supplies from entering the state under the guise of the ‘anti-price-gouging’ statutes.
Everything from emergency generators to flashlight batteries, blankets to ice, milk to medicines were being seized and diverted to government warehouses to prevent those supplies from being sold at a profit to people in desperate need of them.
Of course private contractors built the bridge!
Ruth
October 6, 2022 at 2:25 pm
I totally agree with your last paragraph. And I am NOT a DeSantis fan but he is doing a good job with Hurricane Ian. That doesn’t mean I want him to remain as my Governor. He is still a bully! Crist was Lt. Gov back in 2005 when we had 4 hurricanes and between he and Jeb Bush they did do a great job. The fact that Pres. Biden did not “endorse” Crist at this visit doesn’t mean a thing. This visit was about the people of the area and NOT politics. He still has time to campaign for Crist. The only problem I see is that I received my mail in voting form today which means people are voting now. That’s a concern because the debate was cancelled and those on the fence could not compare the candidates.
Tjb
October 6, 2022 at 2:32 pm
Thank you Ruth for an intelligent comment.
Paul Passarelli
October 6, 2022 at 4:14 pm
After parroting agreement the next sentence was intelligent. The rest not so much.
What did I say earlier today about getting an actual woman to Troll from the female perspective. “Ruth” is just another fake alias.
Ruth
October 6, 2022 at 11:11 pm
I’m the real deal.
Vanessa
October 6, 2022 at 3:56 pm
Biden probably doesn’t know who DeSantis snd Crist are unless one of his team handed him a note 😳
Elliott Offen
October 6, 2022 at 4:41 pm
Thank God you’ll be dead soon. Your generation destroyed the nation. Buncha fking bums.
nail
October 6, 2022 at 5:18 pm
Ruth, I agree with all you said but DeSantis doing a good job with Ian. I look at Twitter and watch the national news. While you do not see everything on the news, you do on Twitter. Those videos bury DeSantis for a moderate person.
When I see him kicking out volunteers because he wants another photo op for the 2nd time that day, I could have cared less if the hurricane/Darwin came back and grabbed Desantis and dragged him off. These volunteers had been taking care of the “DeSantis forgotten” for 5 days. No state official or rescue worker had been attempted to help these ppl, but these volunteers. Running back and forth from a boat to a food, water and essential truck with no help offered by DeSantis while his security showed their beefiness, but more sympathy, than DeSantis not talking but hiding behind his security, ignoring them. “I want my photo op.” That in itself was repulsive. Maybe not to the hard core MEGA MAGAts on this board, but as a 40 yr GQP, it turned my stomach. This is not the only incident that DeSantis displays his authoritarian self.
Born and raised in a authoritarian country, it is so, easily, recognizable. From his bills, political theatrics to his only appealing to one party, is more disappointing that this is the MAGAt way, not the GQP way. It’s not who going to do the most for the state and its ppl, it is about a party. DeSantis has never offered any policity but “I King of FL and you will do as I say.” bring me back to my childhood.
I agree with Biden’s stance that, it was no place to start a campaign for Crist
The problem is the debate. Another bomb for DeSantis. After yesterdays showboating with his distain for the national media there is no doubt, but what I saw and have noticed for the past 3 yrs, DeSantis is scared to death, of any media outside of Fox. From his closed door pressers by invitation only for those that can be his servile flatters, no interviews at all with any local FL reporters to looking at his back when there is a hardball question thrown at him.
At Fox, he can tailor his Q&A sessions to a bunch of sycophants for a MAGAt audience. There is never a word that would attract a Independent, never mind a Dem. I would predict that if Desantis ever came up against Crist, in a debate, Crist would crucify. Just as Guillum did. DeSantis lives in a very insular world. He is enjoying his ego. Who does he sound like? DeSantis is trump. What happened to trump on the stage, is what would happen with DeSantis. in 2018 and no doubt 2022. Forget the future. Fox will do to DeSantis what they did to trump, with the same outcome.
He is not a statemen for sure, but he is not a skilled orator.
Anyway, own to the raw truth of numbers, my fav..Pay attention Peter!
There are 5.2M GQP (for a lack of a word to encompass all), just shy 5M Dems, and 4.2 Independents. A total of 14.4M total voters. Of these voters approx 1+M GQP live in the devistated areas of Ian. 5-10% of GQP voted for Biden. This is in line with the national average of 2020. Dems do not move to GQP (you do not want grow, then change you mind to be stunted, the numbers verify this in FL) but GQP move to Dems and Independents. Independents were polled and the most recent has 64% of the Independents will vote with the Dems.There are many, many, never trumpers in FL. More than 10%, I am guessing 12-15%+ Do the math yourself.
Tom
October 6, 2022 at 10:55 pm
Snail, drunk, fat and stupid no way to go in life. The Mason, Dixon poll had Gov up with independents, as have others. Btw, 275 more R’s then D’s.
Your idiocy and incoherence is overwhelming. How stupid are you? Do you smell exhaust pipes all day.
The stuff you reference is used toilet paper. He’s the Gov moron, yes traffic and people will be stopped.
Honestly, you Dummycrats are so ill, thats why our country is on the brink of disaster. You Dummycrats have destroyed it.
Snail, go to hell. America’s Gov. Ron DeSantis wins by 10.
Rob
October 6, 2022 at 2:56 pm
I love the taste of leftist tears in these comments. Delicious.
Joe Corsin
October 6, 2022 at 4:43 pm
We will never cry again because Trump was slammed dunked into the trashcan of history. This victory alone dries all tears for a decade. Next we take all your money…
Harry Chest
October 6, 2022 at 5:30 pm
The race is NOT over. Because deathsantis is doing a half assed job of what he is SUPPOSED to do, you think he will win? NO.
This does not cancel out all of the horrific things he has done to this state.
Paul Passarelli
October 6, 2022 at 5:34 pm
Another fake alias, from a badly defeated Soros Troll.
Give it up already loser.
Joe Corsin
October 6, 2022 at 10:30 pm
Cool it with the antisemitic conspiracy theories already…
Tom
October 7, 2022 at 8:11 am
U a Racist Joe corsin!
Joe Corsin
October 7, 2022 at 9:46 am
Learn to spell and compose a sentence properly and then you just MIGHT be taken seriously. You need a smack in the back of the head.
Tom
October 7, 2022 at 10:24 am
Racist Joey Corsin!
Useless, Soros China bot.
JoJo
October 6, 2022 at 8:23 pm
What a bunch of useless drivel and a clown show of a food fight between mostly ignorant flame throwers and trolls. The hordes of people who despise DeSatan will not be moved one inch by Biden’s statesman-like comments.
But it is the South, so rednecks and crackers just very well might prevail.
Ruth
October 6, 2022 at 11:30 pm
What I have noticed in these comments is that those who back DeSantis don’t bother giving any sort of actual facts but they all like to name call and leave derogatory remarks. And that is why no one should take them seriously because they don’t know how to think o their own or bother to research the truth on anything that doesn’t fit their narrative.
Reina Carmen
October 7, 2022 at 1:31 am
Here is a solid reason why Republicans win elections. They stay loyal, no matter how horrific or absurd their candidates or leaders are. Never in a MILLION years, would they give the opponent a perceived advantage, like this author has just done, writing this. Now that I’ve said that, here is a factor that the author is not considering – the psychological impact on humans after disaster strikes.
After 9/11 and Hurricane Sandy happened, people were going out of their way to help others. Sandy led to a flourish of supportive tweets and Facebook messages directed to people on the East Coast. Many who lived in New York City during 9/11 remember that, afterward, the boundaries and class divisions between people dissolved: people greeted each other on the street and were more considerate, sensitive to each other, and more gentle than normal. This, would greatly benefit a candidate who is NOT A divider, like Charlie Crist. Ron DeSantis is an arrogant, cruel, egomaniac, who has made a spectacle of himself, causing one chaotic episode, after another- cooking the COVID numbers to make the death toll look smaller, attacking Disney, suing the cruise lines, pushing discrimination in the corporate world, humiliating high school students, causing the worst teacher shortage in the US, attacking gay people, the immigrant stunt, his obsession with ‘woke’ – the list is endless. Hopefully, history will repeat itself and Floridians will send the great divider, packing because they’re tired of the hate and they just want some peace.
Wanda
October 7, 2022 at 4:51 am
Ron DeSantis is going to lose because of the black votes and m banding abortions women hate him and he does nothing to help home owners withe insurance so say what you want Chris will win.Biden didn’t say he was doing a good job at running the state .
Paul Passarelli
October 7, 2022 at 8:05 pm
This writing sample is a bit too small to determine which of the Soros Trolls you actually, but enough with the fake aliases!
What’s next? Why don’t you pretend to be a Japanese Salaryman? That”ll certainly get some attention.
Ocean Joe
October 7, 2022 at 5:59 am
If we see an election sweep by Republicans, after 25 years of GOP control, we can call Florida a red state despite the numbers which only give them about 37% regardless of imaginary endorsements.
The developer class has gotten wealthy, we can see more clearly how over building has interrupted historical drainage as each storm hits, and we can also see Floridians seem happy with overcrowding, and mismanagement of our natural resources.
When quick profits are always valued over protecting wild Florida this is the obvious result.
Desantis has done a good job with the Hurricane, but is still a completely despicable piece of work, a reincarnation of George Corley Wallace, trying to mimic filthy Donald from hand gestures, to ginning up resentment, and even to girth.
Mr. Biden is old and feeble, but he is an honorable, decent guy who came, did the right thing, whether it works to Desantis’ advantage or not, his supportive appearance was typical of who he is. No paper towels were thrown. The American dream of living in an affordable metal can in warm, sunny Florida at the end of a long life of hard work has been over for a while. If you live in a trailer, no amount of warnings from the governor should be necessary. Get to a shelter.
Tom
October 7, 2022 at 7:44 am
Despicable Ocean Joe!
You have reached a new low.
Really sad Joe.
Your referenced comparison to former Gov Wallace is despicable.
Gov Ron opened the school house doors, broadened school opportunity for minorities and poor.
Really pathetic Joe.
Charlie Crist
October 7, 2022 at 9:49 am
👆 Vote for me. I’ll shoot this asshole in the back of the head.
Tom
October 7, 2022 at 4:15 pm
Fuck you, you piece of shit corsin!
Go bang mommy you degenerate.
Tom
October 7, 2022 at 4:17 pm
Kiss ass!
Roberta
October 10, 2022 at 11:50 am
I don’t think this is actually Charlie Crist. If this is truly him and not a bot, this is a horrible comment. For this comment alone he should not be in any office.
Steven P
October 7, 2022 at 7:58 am
There are 561,000 Medical Marijuana Patients who are fed up with DeSantis and Cannabis policy. Only 100k Cannabis Patients just have to not vote for DeSantis. I’m not voting for DeSantis this time because of Cannabis. If it rains on election day 80k need not to vote for DeSantis. The Republican party is counting on past performance of vote. Which i am not participating in. There are 100k more like me who will abstain from voting…politicians understand the word abstain…we want homegrow. 4 plants like Republican Virginia. No more no less. You get to keep DeSantis. We get 4 plants. Medical Card holders only. Or you get Charlie…its up to you now…there are 561,000 of us Potheads that will decide this election…not a gas pump…
Jim
October 7, 2022 at 9:33 am
Sadly, Peter, I have to agree with you. Way back in 2016 when Trump stalked Hillary on the debate stage and she ignored him I said “The election is over, Hillary will lose.” I had the very same feeling when I saw Biden shake DeSantis’s hand.,
marylou
October 7, 2022 at 11:30 am
DESANTIS SHOOK BIDEN”S HAND. Was that a Desantis endorsement of Biden, and therefore an endorsement of Crist who MAGAs think is exactly like Biden??
Hillary had some help from Comey right before the 2016 election!
Elliott Offen
October 7, 2022 at 11:37 am
Just because people get along and come together over some single issue doesn’t make it an endorsement. People in this country are beyond stupid. The place is fked.
marylou
October 7, 2022 at 11:19 am
“At this point, what is the point of them debating?”: Sure, Peter, this comment says it all! Why don’t you just come out and say “What’s the point of Dems and Independent/NPAs voting?” That’s the message you want voters to hear!
Just covering all the bases, right? If Crist wins you know Crist won’t retaliate against you for cheering for DeSh!thead now, but if Desantis wins after you do a Rah Rah Rah for Crist you know you will pay! You and your business will be dirt like Disney!
At least be honest. Tell everyone what you think Biden could have possibly said. Were you hoping Biden delivered a well-deserved F-U and threw a paper towel roll at Desantis’s big decaying head??
Who wins in Nov is a separate issue from your attempts to discourage voting and your attempts to silence voters’ demands that Desantis answer their questions at a debate (preferable debateS) instead of hiding from the free press and the people.
Dan Crumpler
October 9, 2022 at 8:38 pm
The key takeaway is that before, during, and after the hurricane Governor DeSantis was front and center, in the thick of things, 24/7 without stopping. He got things done and pulled together an extraordinary rescue operation involving an army of workers and countless agencies.
Charlie Crist was in hiding, but he did eventually do some talking head TV spots and sent his bus crew out to collect supplies.
The bottom line is that Governor DeSantis showed that he was a strong and effective leader.
Charlie Crist showed that he was just a politician, and not a very good one at that.
Illuminator
October 10, 2022 at 4:46 am
I have never voted for Trump, but I must concede that Governor Ron DeSantis will win re-election along with Attorney General Ashley Moody and CFO Jimmy Patronis. I don’t think there’ll be a red wave nationwide, but I’m afraid there will be one here in Florida. Florida may have been purple sometimes in the past, oftentimes leaning red. Now it’s a red state.
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