Politico Pushes ‘It’s Over for DeSantis’ Narrative Ahead of Anticipated 2024 Campaign Announcement
The media always tells you who they want and don’t want on the Republican side by trashing the ones they’re scared of.
As we’ve noted before, the mainstream media are pulling out all the stops to doom and gloom Ron DeSantis’ chances at winning the GOP 2024 presidential nomination before he’s even officially declared his candidacy.
One of the predictable ways they’ve been doing this is by trotting out “Republican” Never Trumpers and anti-DeSantis types like the sellouts at The Lincoln Project, laughably (and dishonestly) reporting that they were hoping DeSantis would be a credible challenger to former President Donald Trump but noting their “hopes were waning” on the possibility of it happening.
Leading the way among those in the MSM’s “DeSantis should hang it up” chorus has been Politico, which has published near-daily articles for weeks now suggesting that DeSantis’ chances of running a strong presidential campaign (should he declare his intentions) are weakening by the minute because, among other things, high-dollar donors are allegedly having second thoughts in the midst of the Disney lawsuit and DeSantis’ focus on insuring Florida’s public schools provide safe, unwoke learning environments for children.
For instance, here’s a purportedly “straight news” article Politico published on Monday in which they alleged Wall Street was souring on DeSantis. Check out the framing (emphasis mine):
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis had been seen as the top pick to lock down the support of financial titans who have already pumped millions into his state campaigns.
But as he stumbles through gaffes over everything from his personal demeanor and stance on Ukraine to his snacking habits, Wall Street donors are keeping the door open to his competitors, according to more than a dozen bankers, attorneys and political consultants interviewed for this story.
[…]
His escalation of a feud with the Walt Disney Co. over its opposition to what critics called the “don’t say gay” law has made for a rocky rollout to an expected presidential campaign announcement in the coming weeks.
“Stumbles through gaffes” over his “personal demeanor” and “snacking habits”? Are they serious with this stuff?
Here’s another one from last week which latched on to “Trump critics” who nevertheless were praising Trump for allegedly “running circles” around DeSantis’ as-yet-to-be-announced campaign:
Despite the legal turmoil surrounding him, Trump has been methodically undercutting Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis — snatching up congressional endorsements, blasting attack ads and dominating news cycles. It’s a campaign operation characterized by an unusual level of organization and discipline — one that’s chipping away at his likely chief rival before he even jumps in the race.
[…]
Trump’s onslaught has been disorienting for the nascent DeSantis operation. The Florida governor, who’s expected to announce his candidacy in the coming weeks, plans to make the case that he will counter Trump’s circus with a sense of normalcy that positions him to do what many Republicans fear Trump cannot: Defeat President Joe Biden. But that argument is running head first into the tidy — and muscular — organization the former president is putting together.
And here was Politico today, gushing over Trump’s supposed media prowess as he pivots “toward a broader, general election media strategy” while the rest of the field including DeSantis was “stuck in primary mode”:
But what the prime-time event will lay bare is something far more consequential for the presidential primary: Trump is fast-forwarding toward a broader, general election media strategy, while some of his rivals are stuck in primary mode.
Long before the first nominating contests, Trump is already wooing the traditional press — inviting all three of the major TV networks and a phalanx of print and digital outlets to tag along with him to events on his Boeing 757, regaling reporters in mini-press conferences and courting Millennial audiences with YouTubers. All this, while Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and much of the rest of the trailing pack hunkers down in conservative media, sidesteps interviews and freezes out beat reporters.
And just yesterday, Politico seemed impressed with how “Trump world” was leaning in on DeSantis’ donors, writing that a memo sent to prospective donors was “also notable in another respect: underscoring that Team Trump isn’t content to rest on its current lead but eager to keep attacking its main competitors.”
Those last two especially are pretty astonishing “reports” considering how Politico was among the many media outlets during Trump’s four years in office declaring what a threat to democracy he was due to the contentious relationship he and the White House press corps had with each other.
To reiterate a point I’ve made before, the media always tells you who they want and don’t want on the Republican side by trashing the ones they’re scared of and either lavishing praise on the ones they do or simply leaving them alone to do their thing. It happened in 2016 when they trashed Trump and rooted for an anyone-but-Trump nominee while at the same time trying to elevate former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush to that position. And it’s happening now with DeSantis being their bad guy and Trump allegedly being the savviest candidate of them all and maybe the one worthy of the nomination (in their eyes) before the first primary debate is even held.
These are all things to keep in mind in the weeks and months ahead as the GOP field continues to take shape and the participants jockey for position. While most Republican voters are on to the media’s routine election machinations, there are still many who rely on the narratives the press craft to help them form their opinions.
That’s unfortunate, but that reality is in part why we do what we do to get the word out to let people know not to fall for their games. Instead, they should let the process play out and the candidates present themselves for judging before the electorate directly.
In other words, they should ignore the media noise machine and do their own homework on the candidates. Because in my opinion, this country would be a much better place if that was the rule for American voters instead of the exception.
— Stacey Matthews has also written under the pseudonym “Sister Toldjah” and can be reached via Twitter. —
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Comments
“Stumbles through gaffes” over his “personal demeanor”
Like making incomprehensible speeches, shaking hands with ghosts, and needing a seeing-eye rabbit?
Henry, good on you for pointing that out. Just imagine if we had a President who —
… wait — what?
Just imagine if we had a president. And no, I don’t recognize that pedophile in the white house.
It’s been so long, it’s hard to imagine.
We should have known when we saw the “Made in China” stamp on his forehead.
Politico pushed the infamous letter signed by 51 liars that Hunter Biden laptop was Russian disinformation. Why should believe anything that DemoncRat propaganda house publishes?
problem is that many do believe—and altho republicans don’t vote democrat they simply state home–same as voting democrat–we still haven’t learned that.
Wait a minute are they saying that:
1. The ‘Globalist’ are hesitant to give DeSantis campaign $ b/c DeSantis has demonstrated he won’t carry water for Corporations?
2. That these big corporations are concerned that DeSantis would try to hold their feet to the fire like he is doing with Disney?
3. Trump is trying to get the ‘Globalist’ donors to give him $ instead of DeSantis and that they should support Trump instead b/c Trump won’t make waves for them like DeSantis is doing?
These folks are a hoot.
The “news media” in our country (and likely Europe) is degenerate and plutocratic.
Whatever they say, believe the opposite. Whatever the suggest you do, do the opposite.
And that includes their push polls.
And their ‘entertainment’ columns and their science columns etc etc etc etc
It’s less about being scared than being dishonest and divisive. As indicated:
“… considering how Politico was among the many media outlets during Trump’s four years in office declaring what a threat to democracy he was ….”
They are afraid of him, but they are hostile to every Republican so this isn’t proof of fear but yes they are afraid.
The actual, well proved fact is that it’s the way they play politics, to deceive and divide. The fear aspect is speculation, pure and simple, but treat it as fact if you must. They’ve been doing it to the other guy for 8 years, and to others before that, too. Are they also feared?
What we do know is that DeSantis , while in Congress, voted to raise the age to receive Social Security to age 70 ( that’s harsh )
We know he voted 3 times to cut Medicare benefits
And, at American Spectator it was stated
in Congress Ron DeSantis along with Adam Kinzinger ( of all people ) sent a letter to Secretary of State John Kerry, in December 2013 demanding action on Ukraine. Two months later, we stage a coup. Coincidence?
Hmm
That American Spectator comment, I’ll try to find a further link
Found this
https://www.cnn.com/2023/02/26/politics/ron-desantis-supported-ukraine-russia-kfile/index.html
1. If you think DeSantis controlled Barack Obama you are a person utterly devoid of brains.
2. No DeSantis voted for reforms to Social Security in order to keep it around and prevent it from becoming a ponzi scheme.
3. Trump actually cut the taxes that fund social security so you are the definition of throwing stones from a glass house.
4. The Democratic Party is that way. If you feel any attempt at trying to keep it solvent is evil and trying to abolish it that is your party.
5. The only way to sustain your Social Security Claims is to support very heavy tax increases to pay for it. Solvency has a very short list. Either you cut expenses, or increase revenue which means either cut taxes or raise the age.
6. What is your ideal retirement age?
I understand you will adopt whatever leftwing position Trump does.
Non of it matters
We’re being invaded by millions and millions of aliens who don’t particularly like us but want everything free bringing pestilence, diseases long cured in America, anarchy , complete distraction of our Culture amd very Country…
But, let’s act like we are still have a Country and the 2024 election will be honest, like 2020 was,
We are so screwed…
Which is it? Evil Ron DeSantis fresh from throwing his grandparents into a catapult is rounding up the elderly to hurl off a cliff by destroying social security or it doesn’t matter because there are too many immigrants and it will all be bankrupt within minutes? (that is the charitable interpretation of your post at least).
You can’t hold both positions at the same time. Either Social Security needs to be saved in which case we could either discuss cost saving measures like increasing the age of eligibility to correspond to modern realities and other ways to try and prevent it becoming a ponzi scheme, or we could discuss increasing your taxes to pay for it…..or it is not an issue because there are too many immigrants who will bankrupt it.
Make your choice those re utterly contradictory positions.
Your position that any reform to it is destroying it by the way is devoid of merit. Social Security has been reformed before.
Might Politico be trashing DeSantis now because it needs more time to work on “Trump is a sex offender” stories? /s
It’s not over until the fat… man in the feminine suit sings.
The fat woman?… in a masculine suit.
When they raised the retirement age for Social Security to 67 were there any wailing and gnashing of teeth? A little, but everyone knew it had to be done. Life expectancy has risen to the point that 70 is perfectly
acceptable as the age you receive full benefits. Or in my case I took mine at 62. Because I worked and planned all along on the 62 express. Oh yeah I was successful enough that I actually retired at 57. See how that works. Social Security was never meant as a retirement goal. It was a supplement, no more, no less. Remember the great bargain of the 80’s? Increase in the SS and
Medicare tax to fund the “boomers” SS payments. All those IOU’s are in a drawer in Parkersburg, WV. Worthless pieces of paper. SS is pay as you go into the general fund. So says the Supremes in 1961 or so.
Great points. Social Security retirement payments to beneficiaries will drop by 30% ish in a few years if we don’t make reforms to extend the sustainability of the programs.
Raising retirement age to 70 for Gen X is probably going to happen; born 1965 and later. The oldest still have another decade before our full retirement age of 67.
When FDR signed the bill, life expectancy was 67. This was the wedge issue. Open the door to getting used to welfare. Eventually SS will be welfare for those that could have but didn’t save for retirement. However, with Bidenflation… it’s all over anyway. SS was to be a safety net, not a life style.
What’s Politico?
Political drag.
DeSantis has only to stay in the game until Trump hits some massive snag.