2024 Republican Presidential Candidates from Florida: The Felon and The Fascist

That Choice Is Bringing Other Aspirants Thinking This Is Their Chance

I write this from the Democratic perspective. But even a good Democrat must feel some sorrow for the other political party facing a horrendous choice from its two leading candidates. Here we have the egomaniacal Donald Trump having just attended his second arraignment to enter another plea of Not Guilty, Your Honor. And this federal arraignment comes just over a month since his New York arraignment on falsifying business records to conceal his payments to a porn star with whom he is alleged to have had unprotected sex just four months after his wife, Melania, gave birth to their first child. Then in the wings for unveiling probably in July or August are charges in Georgia of attempting to get the Georgia Secretary of State to alter the 2020 vote so Trump could be declared a winner even though he lost. Then the final arraignment may still come resulting from Trump’s organizing and fomenting the January 6 right-wing riot in our nation’s capital where Trump again sought to be declared the 2020 presidential winner even though he lost the popular and Electoral College votes.

Then we have another Florida contender, the deeply right-wing Governor of Florida, Ron DeSantis, a man who commissioned a film hailing him as God’s choice as a fighter who will defeat the adherents of Woke and make the nation the most Unwoke place. DeSantis devised his campaign to get the overly compliant Florida legislature to enact DeSantis’ laundry bag of deeply right wing actions. First, he pressured the Floridians to adopt the Don’t Say Gay bill, prohibiting even discussion of LBGTQ issues and sexual identity in elementary grades but with sneaky language, recently made overt, that applied through high school. But as some Disney, Florida’s largest employer, officers registered some objection AFTER the Bill passed, DeSantis sought to demonstrate that he was more powerful than Mickey Mouse, so he had a bill passed that was intended to remove Disney’s control of the Reedy Creek District, a virtual county. But the Mouse roared back and out foxed DeSantis by adopting a development agreement that extended until the death of the last surviving heir of King Charles III plus twenty-one years: a long time. Then DeSantis wanted to show he was tougher than tough by eliminating abortion procedures in Florida at any time after the woman was six weeks pregnant, a time too soon for most women to have any idea they actually were pregnant. But DeSantis heard a lot of women, even Republicans, think that is too soon to cut off a right to an abortion, so he does not like to talk about his grand achievement. Then there is the DeSantis book banning legislation allowing any Floridian to challenge a book used in class or in a library that is not fully DeSantis certified as being safe for right-wing adherents and family values proponents. Finally, there is the DeSantis immigrant transportation program providing chartered flights to places like Martha’s Vineyard so DeSantis can keep them out of Florida.

These two Republican champions are already engaged in battle to promote their values, policies and goals, as the Republican Primary season gets underway. But other Republicans thought the two leaders might fade as the combat progresses, but not only that, some Republicans question how they can be successful in the General Election with two contenders not following traditional Republican values. The GOP claims to be the law and order party, and it worked for Nixon, Reagan and the Bushes, even though their actual policies strayed from a strict law and order approach, cite Watergate, Iran-Contragate, and Iraq 2. But how can the GOP nominate Trump who will be spending the bulk of his time being a criminal defendant and having to watch what he says to avoid being held in contempt of court?

DeSantis believes his far right-wing policies will attract the Republican Base when they decide that betting on Trump may not be a safe bet. But Republicans have always claimed they wanted minimized government, the less the better. But DeSantis is using government to put a heavy hand on the scale, controlling people’s lives: not a very Republican idea. Book banning, speech prohibitions, gay wrongs, news media limitations and banning abortion after six weeks when the couple does not even know she is pregnant. Since the Dobbs Supreme Court decision, some GOP politicians are declining to discuss abortion, and DeSantis avoids any discussion of his major achievement, if possible. Finally, we have GOP free enterprise battling the state’s largest employer, Disney, and open litigation warfare has erupted between Disney and DeSantis, resulting in Disney cancelling a 42 billion investment in Orlando that would have created 2,000 jobs. Doesn’t sound like typical Republican policies.

So several Republicans see an opportunity and are entering the presidential nomination contest. Most notable is former Governor and Bridgegate accomplice, Chris Christie. He has come out of the box giving heavy punches to Trump, but Trump shrugs it off noting Christie’s 7% favorability rating in New Jersey. But Christie has staying power and can probably dance around both Trump and DeSantis in a debate.

Mike Pence has entered the race, but his wishy washy statements about Trump do not distinguish him when Trump nearly got Pence killed and showed no remorse. Even after reading the indictment, Pence said, if true, Trump’s actions were indefensible, but he noted that Trump is entitled to the presumption of innocence. Pence will most likely retreat to his home in Carmel, Indiana.

Nikki Haley is still in the ring, but it is hard to see what she offers besides not being one of the boys. Is she a female and law-abiding mini Trump? Since the indictment was released she has criticized Trump for being reckless with national security and the safety of military, including her husband who is about to deploy to Africa.

Ava Hutchinson is willing to take on Trump, but how will he distinguish himself from DeSantis. What is his agenda?

Today, the Republican Mayor of Miami, Francis Suarez, enters the race, seeing the failings of the other Floridians. He is 45, a lawyer and has a degree in finance. Obviously Hispanic, he seeks to improve Hispanic economic opportunities. Will he find a niche and can he generate financial support? He has a PAC.

Will any others jump into the race? Perhaps, as the prospective Felon and the business bashing Fascist have significant weaknesses.

From the Democratic perspective, both Trump and DeSantis are excellent primary nominees as Biden can outclass both of them, and referencing his accomplishments and leadership, he is a strong positive against either Republican nominee. But there is the age issue, and as vigorous as Biden is, there are certain biological facts and ageing that could make the job of president from 82 to 86 very difficult. I am 76 suffering some of these ageing processes, and Biden cannot stop the ageing clock.

What if Christie gains strength and chooses Suarez as his Vice President? Would that tear into Democratic Hispanics voting for a Christie-Suarez ticket? What would a Biden-Christie debate reveal?

What about a Christie-Haley ticket? What impact would it have on suburban women?

Republicans have options, but if they nominate the prospective Felon or the Fascist, they will be looking at another presidential loss.