Well, I tweeted something on Saturday and spent most of my weekend dealing with the fall out. Here’s the tweet. Let me give my view upfront before sharing the views of others. My view is that DeSantis has been in the race for the White House officially for less than two full months. He and his Super PAC combined have over $150 million. During his time as a candidate, DeSantis alone, without including his Super PAC, outraised Trump and Trump’s Super PAC combined on a
If I were advising DeSantis or the other challengers, this would be the message:
“Trump deserves credit for kicking the doors in, shaking things up, and changing the agenda. Let’s not deny his past achievements, but too much has happened since COVID, 2020, and the legal problems, so it’s time with respect to pass the baton.
Frankly, Trump’s moment has passed, and now is the time for us to do what we were meant to do together, moving forward, etc.”
Let's give the American people credit for Trump's success, too. It was obvious we were tired of the Bush family, disgusted with the Clintons, and just fed up with Obama's 'audacity'. Everyone I knew could see the problems, we discussed it often and told our representatives; however, they and the media continued to ignore us. I was angry and resentful. Short of a revolution, things had to be shaken up. I wanted politicians to be made to feel insecure in their jobs, brought to their knees and their egos and arrogance deflated. So many with whom I discussed this, online and in person, felt the same. We needed a big change in America. Then along came Trump, a TV personality and businessman, ironically with a bloated ego of his own, who became the answer. The Democrats (and mainstream Republicans) were just shaken by him entering the presidential race. When he got elected, it hit the fan and, boy, was it fun to witness the meltdowns! I confess that I spent days afterwards watching the videos over and over with glee and gloating satisfaction. But, I have to agree with Erickson. Trump's days are waning. He served and will be honored as mover and a shaker in our history. He will be the man who listened to us, the people. It's time to step back and be the statesman who advises and guides the new ones. DeSantis would be wise to allow that.
I still want drastic change, though. I'm supporting Ramaswamy. I know, I know. He's way back in third place in the polling and his chances are not great at this time but imagine that super intelligent young man with his history being our president. Imagine the GOP supporting him. Imagine the world's reaction. The status quo would go by the wayside.
I'm not smart enough to know how to run a presidential campaign, but I know knocking on doors for Republican candidates in our off-season state elections here in VA there is about a 10% group of Republicans who despise Trump. It is even hard to get them to focus on our local elections because they are so caught up with anti-Trump venom. That's why I don't think Trump can win and the Left/Democrats know it.
I concur with Desantis giving a eulogy (figuratively) for Trump. He should praise him for what he did accomplish as President such as the Supreme Court nominees, but then say I will finish what he started as well as pointing out that the Democrats don't want him because they know he is the real danger to the swamp. I read somewhere (can't remember where) of his plans to shake up Washington which include moving some of the functions physically outside of DC. Trump will be looking for revenge - not to drain the swamp. Desantis does have a plan and he should start articulating it.
Excellent suggestions on strengthening the DeSantis candidacy...articulate a positive, can do and will do message, address the glaring weaknesses of the current Administration and how you will do things differently, project competency, speak to explicit and implicit concerns of the vast majority of Americans, rekindle a spirit of hope and fulfillment that lies at the heart of the American experiment, re-affirm lasting values articulated by the Founding Fathers that are as valid and true today as when they were first spoken and written.
Acknowledge Trump and what he accomplished, that it time to build on the good accomplished and move forward toward a vision that Trump and his supporters have created the groundwork for.
We are fortunate to have many very qualified candidates...it is time for many to bow out and coalesce behind DeSantis. The needs of the country and party supersede personal political ambitions.
Great analysis! I genuinely appreciate the thinking of John Ellis: he put much thought in this and his reasoning can easily be followed. In many interviews I have done, people would ask, "What's your greatest strength?" immediately followed by a similar question on weakness. Too often, one's strength can also be their weakness. Trump is no different. Erick, you have the only voice stating the "flatter him to death" idea. Great observation--enjoyable read!
Like Obama did in 2008, focus on Iowa and Nevada caucuses. The MSM, Dems, "Deep State" and MAGA want Trump. Just focus on delegates, shake some loose. Game on. The rest is all "consultant speak" Campaigns are called campaigns for a reason. What is all this panic talk? National primary polls mean nothing, never have. There is no national primary. We have a former President running for another term in a primary for the first time ever. It throws all bets off. No one knows anything - but we do know that 1234 delegate are required for the GOP nomination. And all candidates have zero.
Ellis is on the mark. Most Trump supporters were never rabid supporters, and there were a great many Biden voters who loved trump promises but couldn't stomach his persona, which is now amplified.
We crave a return to Trumps policies and promises. Thankyou Mr Trump. Now retire! You'll never overcome the baggage, and the haters will spend their last dime bringing you down. And 2020 proved its now about you, not us.
Time to move on. I'm looking to other candidates for my choice. Bear in mind the current polls are overlooking me, and most of the people I talk to. We are not disloyal, we are just realistic and don't have an ego in the game.
I think any DeSantis strategy is doomed to fail. A large and growing number of Republicans and Americans more broadly now understand that the apparatus behind DeSantis - consultants, lobbyists, swamp - is what’s wrong with the country. Distrust in institutions is growing and will reach tsunami proportions by 2024. DeSantis has been painted with the broad brush of the “swamp” . He’s the Paul Ryan candidate. Not good!
The Republican candidates should be loudly condemning the investigations and criminal prosecution of Trump past and present. All of it is and has always been a 2016 campaign promise. The Democrats weaponized the impeachment process.
Any Republican candidate counting on the
Mensheviks to take out Trump so they can be the candidate will find themselves in the position of Martin Niemöller.
If Trump is not the candidate he most assuredly will continue to play the game, and 2026 will come quickly.
Gotcha. Frankly, I'll vote for just about anybody not named Trump that is running against Biden. I think he's done great work in Florida and would love to see him win.
What I don’t get about the GOP is their lack of leadership within.
Good people who can lead a nation but they are terrible politicians.
If they don’t want trump then don’t let him. Win. The dems adjusted their nomination process to prevent Bernie from winning. So adjust it so trump doesn’t.
It’s their party. Don’t want him don’t take him.
And the other candidates need to eat some humble pie and drop out before it’s too late. Sorry Charlie. Nobody in history with single digit poll at this point has ever won the nomination. Ever.
And don’t be so sure on Iowa. In the last the one who has won Iowa on both sides has not gone on to win the nomination.
Pete, Bernie, Cruz, all of them won Iowa and lost the nomination.
What I’m saying is worry is warranted but it’s not time to panic.
As I was reading this it came to mind that you wouldn’t be trying to beat Biden the individual what you are up Against is Satan. Yes he does Exist. He was the most Handsome Angel in Heaven before he was booted from Heaven.
Reminds me of the California Boy.
They have a saying In Thailand that fits Sweet Mouth Sour Ass.
So Satan is in our daily lives if you make your own choice and God is not a part of your life.
I don’t Twitter.I have less time retired than I did working.
My Social Security and Medicare came to me in 2020 and I was penalized for making to much money in 2019 so as the government always does it takes more money away from you.
The Quirk about recipients was uncalled for as They worked all their lives for this and Biden is spending it faster than it can be printed. Social Security will be insolvent because Congress and the Senate are sitting on their hands with their mouths closed.
I leave you with
WISDOM FROM OSWALD CHAMBERS
Faith never knows where it is being led, but it loves and knows the One Who is leading. ( Jesus)
It’s Desantis or bust. Polls are garbage and meant to manipulate not inform and are controlled by the media. Anything the media says is tainted.
But I say again. If trump wins the nomination he loses.
This whole legal scandal is a setup to get him support. That support will run out by 2024. Perfect for a democratic feeding frenzy. And if Biden wins. America is done.
I like DeSantis. He's still top of my ticket. I would like to see and hear more about how he is doing well.
The Cruz consultant doesn't phase me. In fact I like that. I was a Cruz guy in 2016 and worked on his campaign. Telling me DeSantis is "Cruz 2.0" is a plus. Those who are bad-mouthing this guy maybe need to be quiet but I'm way on the outside looking in. I loved Cruz and I'd like to have that level of enthusiasm for DeSantis. He needs to give me hope that he's not just a Florida Man in politics (yes that's a pejorative and a double entendre.)
Do not want to speak for Erick; but have heard him speak of this more than once. He isn't being critical of Cruz. He is being critical of how the Cruz campaign was ran. That is the concern. When you are getting these comparison's this early - it ain't good. I think Erick is dead on. They need to pivot, go positive and talk about where we are, the things that need fixed and how they are going to go about that.
I don't know how it was run. I worked for the GA team as a volunteer for an event and got to meet Heidi, his wife (VERY nice lady.) We are WAY too early for doom and gloom. What I think this all says is that the Left and others see DeSantis as a threat, so they are trying to take him out with negative press. Am I making excuses for the guy I like? Yes. I like him and am hopeful he can win the nomination. The fact that I'm willing to publicly make excuses tells me we aren't to the "there's still hope" phase. It's early. We have a lot of politics left to go.
Nice read. Your affinity for Political Science shows.
Cheers
"The campaigns, including DeSantis’s, need to be about those candidates, not grudges against Team Trump." Excellent point!!!
If I were advising DeSantis or the other challengers, this would be the message:
“Trump deserves credit for kicking the doors in, shaking things up, and changing the agenda. Let’s not deny his past achievements, but too much has happened since COVID, 2020, and the legal problems, so it’s time with respect to pass the baton.
Frankly, Trump’s moment has passed, and now is the time for us to do what we were meant to do together, moving forward, etc.”
Let's give the American people credit for Trump's success, too. It was obvious we were tired of the Bush family, disgusted with the Clintons, and just fed up with Obama's 'audacity'. Everyone I knew could see the problems, we discussed it often and told our representatives; however, they and the media continued to ignore us. I was angry and resentful. Short of a revolution, things had to be shaken up. I wanted politicians to be made to feel insecure in their jobs, brought to their knees and their egos and arrogance deflated. So many with whom I discussed this, online and in person, felt the same. We needed a big change in America. Then along came Trump, a TV personality and businessman, ironically with a bloated ego of his own, who became the answer. The Democrats (and mainstream Republicans) were just shaken by him entering the presidential race. When he got elected, it hit the fan and, boy, was it fun to witness the meltdowns! I confess that I spent days afterwards watching the videos over and over with glee and gloating satisfaction. But, I have to agree with Erickson. Trump's days are waning. He served and will be honored as mover and a shaker in our history. He will be the man who listened to us, the people. It's time to step back and be the statesman who advises and guides the new ones. DeSantis would be wise to allow that.
I still want drastic change, though. I'm supporting Ramaswamy. I know, I know. He's way back in third place in the polling and his chances are not great at this time but imagine that super intelligent young man with his history being our president. Imagine the GOP supporting him. Imagine the world's reaction. The status quo would go by the wayside.
I'm not smart enough to know how to run a presidential campaign, but I know knocking on doors for Republican candidates in our off-season state elections here in VA there is about a 10% group of Republicans who despise Trump. It is even hard to get them to focus on our local elections because they are so caught up with anti-Trump venom. That's why I don't think Trump can win and the Left/Democrats know it.
I concur with Desantis giving a eulogy (figuratively) for Trump. He should praise him for what he did accomplish as President such as the Supreme Court nominees, but then say I will finish what he started as well as pointing out that the Democrats don't want him because they know he is the real danger to the swamp. I read somewhere (can't remember where) of his plans to shake up Washington which include moving some of the functions physically outside of DC. Trump will be looking for revenge - not to drain the swamp. Desantis does have a plan and he should start articulating it.
Excellent suggestions on strengthening the DeSantis candidacy...articulate a positive, can do and will do message, address the glaring weaknesses of the current Administration and how you will do things differently, project competency, speak to explicit and implicit concerns of the vast majority of Americans, rekindle a spirit of hope and fulfillment that lies at the heart of the American experiment, re-affirm lasting values articulated by the Founding Fathers that are as valid and true today as when they were first spoken and written.
Acknowledge Trump and what he accomplished, that it time to build on the good accomplished and move forward toward a vision that Trump and his supporters have created the groundwork for.
We are fortunate to have many very qualified candidates...it is time for many to bow out and coalesce behind DeSantis. The needs of the country and party supersede personal political ambitions.
Great analysis! I genuinely appreciate the thinking of John Ellis: he put much thought in this and his reasoning can easily be followed. In many interviews I have done, people would ask, "What's your greatest strength?" immediately followed by a similar question on weakness. Too often, one's strength can also be their weakness. Trump is no different. Erick, you have the only voice stating the "flatter him to death" idea. Great observation--enjoyable read!
Like Obama did in 2008, focus on Iowa and Nevada caucuses. The MSM, Dems, "Deep State" and MAGA want Trump. Just focus on delegates, shake some loose. Game on. The rest is all "consultant speak" Campaigns are called campaigns for a reason. What is all this panic talk? National primary polls mean nothing, never have. There is no national primary. We have a former President running for another term in a primary for the first time ever. It throws all bets off. No one knows anything - but we do know that 1234 delegate are required for the GOP nomination. And all candidates have zero.
Ellis is on the mark. Most Trump supporters were never rabid supporters, and there were a great many Biden voters who loved trump promises but couldn't stomach his persona, which is now amplified.
We crave a return to Trumps policies and promises. Thankyou Mr Trump. Now retire! You'll never overcome the baggage, and the haters will spend their last dime bringing you down. And 2020 proved its now about you, not us.
Time to move on. I'm looking to other candidates for my choice. Bear in mind the current polls are overlooking me, and most of the people I talk to. We are not disloyal, we are just realistic and don't have an ego in the game.
This country needs a vision of what it will become (or accomplish)! The last national vision the USA had was to “put a man on the moon”.
“Drain the swamp” was only a “local” vision with tentacles affecting the nation.
I think any DeSantis strategy is doomed to fail. A large and growing number of Republicans and Americans more broadly now understand that the apparatus behind DeSantis - consultants, lobbyists, swamp - is what’s wrong with the country. Distrust in institutions is growing and will reach tsunami proportions by 2024. DeSantis has been painted with the broad brush of the “swamp” . He’s the Paul Ryan candidate. Not good!
The Republican candidates should be loudly condemning the investigations and criminal prosecution of Trump past and present. All of it is and has always been a 2016 campaign promise. The Democrats weaponized the impeachment process.
Any Republican candidate counting on the
Mensheviks to take out Trump so they can be the candidate will find themselves in the position of Martin Niemöller.
If Trump is not the candidate he most assuredly will continue to play the game, and 2026 will come quickly.
Gotcha. Frankly, I'll vote for just about anybody not named Trump that is running against Biden. I think he's done great work in Florida and would love to see him win.
What I don’t get about the GOP is their lack of leadership within.
Good people who can lead a nation but they are terrible politicians.
If they don’t want trump then don’t let him. Win. The dems adjusted their nomination process to prevent Bernie from winning. So adjust it so trump doesn’t.
It’s their party. Don’t want him don’t take him.
And the other candidates need to eat some humble pie and drop out before it’s too late. Sorry Charlie. Nobody in history with single digit poll at this point has ever won the nomination. Ever.
And don’t be so sure on Iowa. In the last the one who has won Iowa on both sides has not gone on to win the nomination.
Pete, Bernie, Cruz, all of them won Iowa and lost the nomination.
What I’m saying is worry is warranted but it’s not time to panic.
As I was reading this it came to mind that you wouldn’t be trying to beat Biden the individual what you are up Against is Satan. Yes he does Exist. He was the most Handsome Angel in Heaven before he was booted from Heaven.
Reminds me of the California Boy.
They have a saying In Thailand that fits Sweet Mouth Sour Ass.
So Satan is in our daily lives if you make your own choice and God is not a part of your life.
I don’t Twitter.I have less time retired than I did working.
My Social Security and Medicare came to me in 2020 and I was penalized for making to much money in 2019 so as the government always does it takes more money away from you.
The Quirk about recipients was uncalled for as They worked all their lives for this and Biden is spending it faster than it can be printed. Social Security will be insolvent because Congress and the Senate are sitting on their hands with their mouths closed.
I leave you with
WISDOM FROM OSWALD CHAMBERS
Faith never knows where it is being led, but it loves and knows the One Who is leading. ( Jesus)
It’s Desantis or bust. Polls are garbage and meant to manipulate not inform and are controlled by the media. Anything the media says is tainted.
But I say again. If trump wins the nomination he loses.
This whole legal scandal is a setup to get him support. That support will run out by 2024. Perfect for a democratic feeding frenzy. And if Biden wins. America is done.
I like DeSantis. He's still top of my ticket. I would like to see and hear more about how he is doing well.
The Cruz consultant doesn't phase me. In fact I like that. I was a Cruz guy in 2016 and worked on his campaign. Telling me DeSantis is "Cruz 2.0" is a plus. Those who are bad-mouthing this guy maybe need to be quiet but I'm way on the outside looking in. I loved Cruz and I'd like to have that level of enthusiasm for DeSantis. He needs to give me hope that he's not just a Florida Man in politics (yes that's a pejorative and a double entendre.)
Do not want to speak for Erick; but have heard him speak of this more than once. He isn't being critical of Cruz. He is being critical of how the Cruz campaign was ran. That is the concern. When you are getting these comparison's this early - it ain't good. I think Erick is dead on. They need to pivot, go positive and talk about where we are, the things that need fixed and how they are going to go about that.
I don't know how it was run. I worked for the GA team as a volunteer for an event and got to meet Heidi, his wife (VERY nice lady.) We are WAY too early for doom and gloom. What I think this all says is that the Left and others see DeSantis as a threat, so they are trying to take him out with negative press. Am I making excuses for the guy I like? Yes. I like him and am hopeful he can win the nomination. The fact that I'm willing to publicly make excuses tells me we aren't to the "there's still hope" phase. It's early. We have a lot of politics left to go.