A.G. Gancarski
A Jacksonville reporter took a swing and a miss at trying to get Florida’s Governor to break 2024 news Tuesday.
Asked about the entry of Nikki Haley to the presidential race, and whether he wanted to make his own announcement, Gov. Ron DeSantis offered a simple quip.
“Wouldn’t you like to know?”
The crowd at the local trucking company, one made up of politicians from the region and legislative leadership, laughed and applauded at the latest indication that DeSantis is taking his time to roll out what is a widely expected formal announcement of a run.
As The Washington Post reported, Team DeSantis is getting ready for potential action in early states New Hampshire and Iowa, which have a disproportionate impact on the rest of the calendar. Familiar faces Phil Cox and Generra Peck reportedly will be central to that effort.
The Governor has struck a balance between his official duties and what seems to be his best shot for the White House, with a potential General Election against President Joe Biden as the endgame. He has been deliberately coy for months when asked.
“Everyone wants to talk about me in Florida,” DeSantis said this summer. “Like, I’m just sitting here, little ol’ me, doing my job!”
Perhaps the toughest provocations to resist have come from former President Donald Trump who, while he denies calling DeSantis “Meatball Ron” in private, has been willing to float scurrilous stories that DeSantis was “grooming” students during his short-lived career as a teacher at a college preparatory school.
“I spend my time delivering results for the people of Florida and fighting against Joe Biden. That’s how I spend my time. I don’t spend my time trying to smear other Republicans,” the Governor told a crowd in Ocala last week in response.
It’s unlikely that Haley will stoop to Trump’s depths, but at least one new single-state poll suggests her candidacy would make it harder for DeSantis to consolidate the anti-Trump vote.
The Missouri Scout private news service rolled out a Remington Research poll showing Trump garnering 38% support, three points ahead of DeSantis’ 35%. Haley was the choice of 8% of respondents, with undecided voters making up 19% of the sample.
7 comments
cassandra
February 14, 2023 at 2:06 pm
Florida Politics: Please help Meatball Ron save his reputation by giving him the opportunity to explain that year at Darlington School!
Ron could tell voters why witnesses and alleged victims disliked Mr DeSantis so much that they have revealed his alleged inappropriate behavior in NYT interviews.
I’m sure DeSantis would jump at the chance to address student allegations of inaccurate/false history lessons, cruel jokes on children, partying with students drinking alcohol, teaching his personal *opinions* no matter students’ own religious beliefs, racism, etc. And a photo! Quite a scandal.
Don’t leave Ron floundering and risking his future. Don’t make it look like he’s hiding! Help Meatball Ron get out the word on why he left Darlington after just one school year. And let him clear up all that “groomer” talk.
Claude Kirk the younger
February 14, 2023 at 5:17 pm
Thanks for exposing this leftist wingnut fabrication for the world to see cassandra. When Ron and I take occupancy of the White House in our 2028 landslide we want to appoint you as our Education Czar. We really need a clear thinking super star like you to protect the nations precious childern from leftist sexulazation and all that queerness. Welcome aboard cassandra.
Tom
February 15, 2023 at 8:04 am
Education Czar? I doubt there’ll be any books left unburned by then. Who needs education when you have non stop conspiracy theories and all you have to do is believe something for it to be true? Silly rabbit.
cassandra
February 15, 2023 at 11:13 am
Claude, are you asking me to provide a few recent examples of Rightists arrested/convicted of sexualization of children? Or, would you prefer to read about the Midwestern Republican politician caught in his car with his pants down— and his hands quite busy—in front of a daycare? Or is your comment satire?
Anyway, Claude, why are you and Meatball waiting until 2028? What’s your plan if Biden doesn’t win? Ron’s not going to be anyone’s VP!??
really
February 15, 2023 at 8:20 am
“Little Ole’ me doing my job” – what a farce. Jet setting around the United States begging for “contributions” isn’t in your job description Rona. Nor is poaching illegals from Texas and flying them to Martha’s Vineyard using our taxpayer dollars. Frequently appearing on Fix Entertainment TV fighting “woke” and Joe doesn’t make the cut either. Oh Rona, you so coy! What a joke you are running for POTUS full time all the while trying to play it so cool. With your Harvard Law School diploma hidden while you complain about “elites.” Bullying is fun, eh Rona? FYYCSMF
Kathy
February 16, 2023 at 9:48 am
I think Ron De Santis or Nicki Haley would be a positive for our White House. Because what they have in there now has been a embarrassment to our Country and the American people! And we also need Trump leadership!
Proven fact
February 17, 2023 at 12:42 am
No one named Kathy was ever a good person lol
Comments are closed.