Joe Henderson
Gov. Ron DeSantis did everything but announce his 2024 presidential campaign during Monday’s debate.
Oh sure, he didn’t release balloons or confetti. But, with apologies to Simon and Garfunkel, DeSantis’ sounds of silence spoke loudly when Charlie Crist asked him directly if he would commit to serving four years as Florida’s Governor if elected.
“I have a question for you,” Crist said. “If you’re running for Governor, why don’t you look in the eyes of the people of the state of Florida and say to them that if you’re re-elected, you will serve a full four-year term as Governor.”
That challenge would never get a spoken answer, but Crist was right to put DeSantis on the spot. The Governor seemed to respond with his trademark smirk. However, I couldn’t say definitively that he directed it toward Crist. It may have been a message to the Mar-a-Lago Menace.
We can only assume that person was annoyed by what he didn’t hear, and it got this salvo in the Palm Beach Post from the ex-Big Guy’s mouthpiece, pardoned felon Roger Stone.
Stone noted that his pal endorsed DeSantis’ once-longshot gubernatorial bid in 2018 and “then dragged him across the finish line in the General Election.”
That was then.
Now, there’s a bad moon rising over Mar-a-Lago, and DeSantis is nothing if not opportunistic. Raise your hand if you believe he would go, “Aw, shucks, sir. I know I could be President two years from now, but you’ve been so good to me. I’ll just wait and pray you don’t ruin the country, get us into a nuclear war, or declare yourself Dear Leader for life.”
So pray we all.
The first year he was in office, DeSantis actually tried to be a Governor for the whole state. He was pretty good at that.
DeSantis had a chance to become that rare Republican with considerable support from across the aisle, but it was a Trojan horse. Instead of continuing to unite, he made Floridians familiar with the term “culture wars,” and it was all over.
So while he won’t say it out loud, yet, Florida will likely spend the next two years serving as a campaign prop and staging area for DeSantis 2024. He will continue to own the libs, vanquish anyone who disagrees and ignore that big mouth down south.
DeSantis has played it perfectly, raising large sums of cash and letting people like me speak with semi-assurance about his plans. No one from his camp told me the Governor plans a presidential run, nor are they likely to.
They also wouldn’t need to do that.
He already has a war chest the size of Fort Knox, and it’ll probably get bigger. DeSantis will let the feds deal with that other guy while ignoring the rants and threats from Mar-a-Lago.
That assumes he wins re-election on Nov. 8, which appears likely.
In that case, the clock starts running on Nov. 9. After that, it’s only a matter of time.
23 comments
Charlie Crist
October 26, 2022 at 7:47 pm
I completely roasted and annihilated DeSantis in the debate. Cut him down like a tree. Embarrassed him in front of millions. Even if I lose the election, it was worth it, and left plenty of material for others to build on. He will quit his job to run in 2024. He won’t win, and he will be left unemployed.
sandy oestreich
October 28, 2022 at 8:00 pm
WE ARE VOTING FOR CHARLIE CRIST, NO DOUBT ABOUT IT. HE HAS GOOD EXPERIENCE, LISTENS, DOES NOT LIE NOR MAKE FAKE PROMISES. AND IS UNDOUBTEDLY THE MOST SINCERE OF ALL CANDIDATES, ESP OF DE SANTIS, WHO WILL DO ANYTHING TO WIN EXCEPT DO THE PROPER JOB!
WE’VE NEVER SEEN CHARLIE LIE NOR PUT PEOPLE DOWN, NOR PUSH IDEAS THAT ARE STUNNINGLY UNREASABLE OR AGAINST THE POPULATION’S REAL NEEDS! GO, CHARLIE!
sandy oestreich
October 28, 2022 at 8:02 pm
(NOT A REPEAT) WE ARE VOTING FOR CHARLIE CRIST, NO DOUBT ABOUT IT. HE HAS GOOD EXPERIENCE, LISTENS, DOES NOT LIE NOR MAKE FAKE PROMISES. AND IS UNDOUBTEDLY THE MOST SINCERE OF ALL CANDIDATES, ESP OF DE SANTIS, WHO WILL DO ANYTHING TO WIN EXCEPT DO THE PROPER JOB!
WE’VE NEVER SEEN CHARLIE LIE NOR PUT PEOPLE DOWN, NOR PUSH IDEAS THAT ARE STUNNINGLY UNREASABLE OR AGAINST THE POPULATION’S REAL NEEDS! GO, CHARLIE!
ScienceBLVR
October 26, 2022 at 8:10 pm
Your last sentence says it all, Joe. Sadly, it is only a matter of time. Two years away, my friend told me today, a lot can happen in two years…hmmm, we’ll see. Perhaps naively, I still have hope that Floridian voters will see the governor for who he really is and reject the fear mongering and bigotry he represents.
Impeach Biden
October 26, 2022 at 8:28 pm
Still missing Andrew Gillum, aren’t you? Morning cocaine snorting followed by frolicking with his boy toys. Then dressing himself up and pretending he is a family man. Then again this is the support group that votes for a senile old man for President, and strongly consider a non functioning candidate for US Senate from Pennsylvania. What is wrong with you people?
Joe Corsin
October 26, 2022 at 9:22 pm
Gillum parties. So what. At least not like Trump…ran for office to lower his own taxes. Plus various frauds and thefts, sexual assaults, election crimes, Espionage Act violations, too many lies to count and two impeachments. We wish all Trump had done was party…and he took credit for Obama’s economy. Now everyone blames Joe for Trump’s overheated and melted down economy 🤡
sandy oestreich
October 28, 2022 at 8:33 pm
FOR CRYING OUT LOUD: PRESIDENT BIDEN HAS AND IS DOING HIS LEVEL BEST FOR ALL THE PEOPLE, WHICH IS WHAT IS CALLED FOR.
CRIMINAL THAT YOU WOULD ACCUSE HIM OF DOING COCAINE AND FROLLICKING..HE IS SERIOUS ABOUT BRINGING PEACE AND MEETING HIS PUBLIC’S NEEDS RATHER THAN PRETENDING. HE IS REAL AND HONEST AND FINALLY, MORE WILLING TO WITHSTAND RUBBISH FROM POLITICIANS RE GETTING AMERICANS OUT OF AFGHANISTAN LIKE NO OTHER PRESIDENT COULD BRING THEMSELVES TO DO! AND GOT THE CAMPAIGN GOING SMOOTHLY TO SQUELCH COVID WHILE TRUMP WAS BUSY SELLING THE NATION’S WHOLE ACCUMULATED COVID SHOT APPARATUS OVERSEAS AND BRAGGING HOW HE WAS TELLING EVERYONE TO DRINK LYSOL!!! THERE’S NO COMPARISON …AND TRUMP STILL SELLING U.S.A. DOWN THE RIVER FOR PUTIN..not toooo helpful!
sandy oestreich
October 28, 2022 at 8:03 pm
ON-SPOT COMMENT! CONGRATS
Impeach Biden
October 26, 2022 at 8:25 pm
The candidates were not allowed to ask either questions directly in the debate. DeSantis followed the rules, and “floor fan” Charlie did not. If you want to fly a conspiracy theory then that question should have been asked by the moderator.
Joe Corsin
October 26, 2022 at 9:24 pm
Rick Scott pissed and moaned about a fan while he sat on the fifth amendment…pled the fifth like 70 times. Why? These crooks are your go to guys? “But Joe, But Hunter’s laptop, But Charlie”🤡
marylou
October 26, 2022 at 10:25 pm
As you know, if Desantis planned to finish a second term he would have said so during the debate. Probably not when Crist asked but definitely sometime during the debate.
Two days later Desantis is still refusing to tell voters what his plans are. It’s not just Crist who wants an answer. Pretty sure you know that.
Tom
October 26, 2022 at 11:21 pm
What you talking bout hooch?
No one is asking him.
He saved a lady’s life today. She has passed out.
He’s carrying women’s vote hooch!
U r all a bunch of hand wringers.
DeSantis is going to get 55% or more.
Charlie Crist
October 26, 2022 at 11:34 pm
All I know is that I skewered Ron DeSantis in the debate. Grilled him over and open fire. Twas an epic roast… historical burn.
SANDY OESTREICH, PROF. EMERITA
October 28, 2022 at 8:38 pm
DE SANTIS IS USELESS IN A SIEGE, AND A LIAR. IGNORE HIM AND BOOST HARDWORKING PRESIDENT BIDEN, WHO IS MOVING US FORWARD DESPITE DESANTIS’ ACT TO MOVE ALL IMMIGRANTS AROUND, OUT OF FLORIDA AND JUST LET THEM FIGURE OUT WHERE TO LIVE AND HOW TO DO IT ONCE THERE!
Tom
October 26, 2022 at 9:57 pm
Joe H, mis believer, and decrepit Joey alias Corsin. Wah, wah, and wah.
Belly aching, hand wringers, where does it say he had to announce his intentions, if he had any in Oct of 22, for an election in Nov of 24.
Tell the old chameleon donkey he’s getting his donkey ass kicked! Chameleon was pro life, no he’s pro choice, no but he’s really personally pro life. Hypocrite.
Gov Ron doesn’t have to until he officially decides. My goodness, Wah.
Real Tom Legend
October 26, 2022 at 11:00 pm
Gonna be neck ringing at the bar buddy. Little Bruce Lee cross kick to the balls… high kick up the ass… outta there you asshole 🍩
Tom
October 26, 2022 at 11:15 pm
You are the A- hole Joey.
Only one Tom legend, how weak of you. Get your act together.
Real Tom Legend
October 26, 2022 at 11:33 pm
Whole bar…
Fiona
October 26, 2022 at 10:32 pm
Lord man,if you’ve been been in politics for 45 years then you must be acquainted with Charlie Crist and his history as Governor of the state of Florida. He sucked. There is a reason that Crist changes political affiliations as casually as a Kardashian changes high heels 👠. HE HAS NO REAL ALLEGIANCE TO ANYONE OR ANYTHING. Basically, white haired, leather man BAD.
SANDRA OLIVA
October 28, 2022 at 11:04 pm
CHARLIE CRIST DOES NOT NOT NOT CHANGE POLITICAL AFFILIATIONS, LET ALONE “CASUALLY”! CHARLIE CRIST IS FULLY ALLEGIANT TO THE TENETS OF DEMOCRACY; TO WORK HARD AND LONG FOR THE POPULACE, NO SHENANIGANS. STRANGELY DIFFERENT, DESANTIS MAKES SURE TO “ACT THE PART OF AN HONEST POLITICIAN” BUT WE ALL KNOW HOW HE RAILED AT HIS SECRETARY when she would NOT screw up the Florida actual data about the extent of the pandemic in Florida! Even went to her house, scaring her children to threaten her!
TELL ME, DOES THIS SOUND LIKE A SINCERE POLITICIAN WHO WOULD SUIT ANY SPOT LIKE PRESIDENT? OR EVEN CONTINUE AS GOVERNOR….???? JUST LIKE TRUMP, DESANTIS IS A FULLBLOWN FAKE WHO CANNOT BE ELECTED AGAIN FOR A N Y POST THAT MUST BE HELD WITH HONESTY, SINCERITY…ALL HE IS CAPABLE OF IS FIDDLING WITH ACTUAL NUMBERS TO MAKE HIM LOOK GOOD! BUT WE WHO KNOW HOW TO THINK CLEARLY AND WITHOUT PREJUDICE, WILL NEVER EVER EVER VOTE FOR DESANTIS…HE’S HAD HIS TRY AT IT AND HAS BLATANTLY FAILED AS HE WORKED HARD TO FAKE HIS “SUCCESSES” THAT NEVER HAPPENED.
LET’S GET A REAL, HONEST, OPEN PERSON IN HIS PLACE HERE ON OUT!
David In Shoreline
October 26, 2022 at 11:38 pm
I would be thrilled with a DeSantis Presidency. Absolutely thrilled. Gotta win re-election first. Governor DeSantis will be able to direct hurricane recovery and get his budget passed before he needs to start campaigning for the primary.
Elevated Thought
October 27, 2022 at 9:36 am
This article seems to draw out the primitives who prefer bullying over leadership and governing. DeSantis is a threat to this State and this Country. Its unfortunate that so many in Florida rally together to support someone like DeSantis or Trump. History will not be kind to either one of them nor for the people who supported them.
Humans always have a choice to chose Good or Evil, and some stuck in their own past, or their own confusion, chose evil. Trump and DeSantis both have displayed EVIL at every turn… yet the following is similar to those who worshiped Hitler.
DeSantis will get crushed on every debate stage and he may meet his match. If the Dems can keep the House and Senate, the economy will be booming in 2024 and Joe or whomever holds the Dem ticket will WIN 2024. DeSantis will get more humiliated than Trump in 2020.
Lets hope that more people chose Good over the evil of the Trump and DeSantis. Good is the only way humans will evolve.
SANDRA OLIVA
October 28, 2022 at 11:09 pm
UNSCRIBE ME NOW. PLEASE. [email protected], AS I CANNOT MANAGE THE URGE TO THROW UP WHEN FACED WITH DESANTIS’ OBVIOUS LIES IN AN EFFORT TO GAIN VOTES!!!
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