I've been wavering a bit and election night has been the final clincher. Let me be clear...I LOVE Trump's political skills, humor, relentless enthusiasm, and policies. Further, he showed the weak sisters of the Republican party HOW to punch back relentlessly against wokeism, socialism, government overreach and every other liberal absurdity. Trump is relentless and aggressive...and right on policy...and conservative ALL owe him a debt we can never pay. But....the torch must be passed for a host of reasons.
First, the simple fact of his age...though he's healthy as a horse, his age would complicate using Biden's febrile senility against him in the 2024 race.
Second, Trump's aggressiveness too often strays into petty insults...which I wouldn't mind so much except for the fact it takes him and the part off message.
Third, Desantis has now demonstrated tremendous competence in dealing with multiple disastrous events...COVID and the recent Hurricane being two primary examples. Not only did he handle these well in political terms, he managed events on the ground with tremendous skill.
Fourth, I love Trump but he has wandered into become unnecessarily divisive and his calling Desantis "de-Sanctimonious" without provocation was a last straw for me. We do need a man who can unite the conservative factions, and I believe Desantis has the policy tack AND the demeanor to achieve that.
Finally, the Trump brand has simply...and unfairly...become too tarnished to the point its a hindrance in winning over some voters (in particular suburban women but others as well). Desantis will no doubt be assailed and his "brand" attacked relentlessly, but at least he starts from a much cleaner slate...and seems better equipped to gracefully slap away these attacks.
So I'm a convert....with a caveat. I will always believe Trump saved the country by winning in 2016 and was a fantastic President. His legacy is so strong that Desantis will be the next guy in that relay...not starting something new but carrying the MAGA torch. I look forward to the GOP convention when a victorious Desantis puts on his MAGA hat and gives full kudos to Mr. Trump for all he's achieved. But it is time to move forward...and I don't mean without Trump, but I do mean with a "Trumpian" candidate (Desantis). Desantis is and will be his own man, but MAGA will remain the theme of his candidacy.
Here endeth the lecture! And I would add, I agonized on this one as I remain MAGA Trumpian, but I've simply reached the conclusion that the only way to move conservatism forward across the country is with Ron Desantis.
Now let's go take back our White House!
