>

If you have ever been to California you might have learned that bigotry forms in rural cities in every state.
Most criticism of Mr. DeSantis’s national electability has been centered around his lack of charisma, which Mr. Trump crystallized by giving him the cumbersome nickname Ron DeSanctimonious. But focusing on personality and style obscures the governor’s real failings: Florida is not a model for the nation, unless the nation wants to become unaffordable for everyone except rich snowbirds.
While my home state’s popularity might indeed seem like good news for a governor with presidential ambitions, a closer look shows that Florida is underwater demographically. Most of those flocking there are aging boomers with deep pockets, adding to the demographic imbalance for what is already one of the grayest populations in the nation. This means that Florida won’t have the younger workers needed to care for all those seniors. And while other places understand that immigrants, who often work in the service sector and agriculture, two of Florida’s main industries, are vital to replenishing aging populations, Mr. DeSantis and the state G.O.P. are not exactly immigrant-friendly, enacting legislation to limit the ability of people with uncertain legal status to work in the state.
[...]
The fact is, Florida is having many of the same problems as its liberal archnemesis California, and its Republican-led State Legislature is doing little to help less-affluent families thrive. More than 76 percent of Floridians live on the coasts, but in an era of fierce storms due to climate change and rising sea levels, many can’t afford or even qualify for insurance for their homes, especially those who live in older buildings or in low-income areas. Lawmakers in Tallahassee ended the year giving insurance companies a huge bailout but doing little to reduce insurance costs for homeowners. >

I get that Florida has its issues but I kind of wonder what state is getting it right?  seems like many large states have issues. >

I’m feeling pretty awesome about living in IL these days. >

How so? I believe you, I’m just interested in specifics. 
Also, here in NY—a very large state—we’re doing pretty well. Not without problems—there are always problems—but doing well, I think. >

Well, I live in Chicago, which I legit think is the greatest place in the country to live. We have jobs, fun things to do, a huge lake lined with public beaches, semi-decent public transportation, great food, nice people, a pretty low cost of living compared to places like NYC or Austin or Portland, and are more-or-less safe from climate disaster when compared to places with earthquakes/vanishing coastlines/wildfires/tornadoes/etc.
The rest of the state is basically as red as any red state, but because Chicago is the population center, we also have a pretty lefty state government, all things considered. We just ended the practice of cash bail in IL (well, it's in the middle of a last-minute legal challenge at the moment, but we're gonna get there), we're passing some pretty strong climate legislation (not as strong as I'd like but it's progress,) and we don't have to worry about losing our rights to abortion, birth control, marriage equality, etc. 
The only shitty thing is winter, but I was born in Chicago so I'm used to it (plus, I think if we didn't have nasty winters and completely overblown fears about crime scaring people off, this place would get crowded and expensive pretty quick). >

Not a single mention of the incredible gun violence and gang activity that plagues the city, you must have been born into the gentrified high income areas. >

I really hope this is sarcasm but you can’t be sure around here. >

Nope, Chicago is objectively a dangerous city, and I've lived in several in and outside the US, including Chicago. 600+ murders, and nearly 3000 shootings inside city limits last year isn't great metrics.
These numbers allow Chicago to be ranked the 6th most dangerous city in America for 2022. >

The 3rd largest city in the US is the 6th most dangerous city? First of all, okay; second of all, where is Chicago ranked 6th most dangerous city? Because I can't find that ranking anywhere. >

A Florida governor elected to the highest office would just be another sign of democratic backsliding like electing a piece of shit reality “celebrity”. >

What is your take on California voting against gay marriage and having it overturned by the Supreme Court?
Democracy right? >

If you have ever been to California you might have learned that bigotry forms in rural cities in every state. >

A state measure doesn't pass in California without massive democratic support, even in 08. Obama won the state by 30 points in the same election >

I know an handful of people who voted opposite their values because prop 8 was intentially written in a way that made it confusing. 
If you were Pro-Gay marriage you were to vote No. if you were against you were to vote Yes. 
Expansion of rights is not a bad thing. No matter where the electorate is.  Sometimes a court needs to right the wrongs of the democratic process. In fact, that’s what it is supposed to be there for. >

Also brings up a major peeve of mine. The way that propositions are written should be clear and not try to trick people into doing the opposite of what they want. >

That’s why these groups write the propositions that way. They know it’s an unpopular position but if they can fool enough people they could turn a narrow loss into a narrow win.
The electorate needs to be super informed and really geared up over the specific proposition to get them right. Look at Kansas abortion prop. 
It was written confusing and backwards as well >

Have to laugh at his wife thinking they’re JFK and Jackie. I mean I know the republicans want to take us all back to the pre civil rights era, but that outfit is hilarious. >

That was the first thing I noticed too - I think that's the clearest sign that she thinks he's got a shot at the presidency - she's dressing for the job she wants. >

If she lives long enough. Hubby doesn’t seem to care about her (or anyone else’s) risk of getting Covid while battling cancer. Unless he’s pulling a low key Gingrich 🤔 >

He claims she's now officially cancer free, but I suppose, as you mentioned, it wouldn't be the first time he's downplayed or hidden important medical information. >

Depending on the stage her cancer was in, the timetable is about right. I was diagnosed with stage three Hodgkins Lymphoma and needed 6 mos of chemo. She received about 3-4 mos. He said she underwent surgery so I’m thinking partial/double mastectomy. Sounds like it was mitigated. Whenever he shot his mouth off about no masks, vax or no vax: it’s all good, no lockdowns, keep Florida, Florida! I’d think “you have a sick wife at home bro, you take her out to the mask free restaurant w/o being vaccinated?” Then I remembered they all secretly wore masks and got vaccinated. I don’t know why they actively kill off their base. They do it to excite them but it kind of backfires if they don’t live long enough to vote for you. >

It actually works perfectly. 
Keep insurance high so only retired, old busy bodies with unreasonable amounts of leftover money move down. They die and free up space for the next, slightly-warm old couple looking to retire. 
It's like an old people factory down here. They're queued up on conveyor belts waiting to move. Or they're struggling to get off the It's A Small World boats. >

And old rich people donate to campaigns and have nothing better to do with their time than going out to vote.  He’s right on brand with the people he appeals to. >

Why is his wife dressed like Princess Diana? You’re just a Governor’s wife, Muffy, simmer down >

I felt like she was really leaning into Jackie Kennedy with that look. >

She has been widely quoted as saying she WANTS to be first lady. Think she plans to be, bless her heart.. >

DeSantis could be the strongest GOP candidate since Regan.  Democrats could have a chance to win after the  battleground moved from Florida to PA, and a Trump/Desatis primary could split the party.  to win, it will need to be all hands on deck >

This exactly. You’ve got it. Joe could get re-elected, but he needs PA and he needs Trump to split the vote. Otherwise, bad news. >

Honestly I say we encourage Republican retirees up north to move down to Florida, I'd gladly trade never winning Florida again to lock down Wisconsin, Michigan, and Pennsylvania for the Dems. It sucks for the decent people in Florida, but that's what national policy is for. >

"Republicans Are Getting It Wrong ~~About DeSantis and Florida~~"
Simplified that for you! >

Just wait and see how bad floridas healthcare system is in 4 years.  I’ve been in nursing for 20 and grew up in Florida.  That place is a disaster.  If you go to a hospital or rehab nursing faculty you are not getting the care and attention you’d think you would.  But what’s that line about reaping what you sow?? Entitled boomers gonna boom… >

The snowbirds just overburden the northern states to which they refuse to pay taxes for their health care. There are a lot of them that get everything taken care of between Memorial and Labor Day while they are living up north. >

It will be interesting to watch. Trump has charisma. It’s kind of his only true skill. Like the guy or not, he’s good on camera. 
DeSantis is about as compelling as a rock. He can’t avoid the media if he wants to run for national office. Any campaign manager worth their salt is going to be begging to parade his young family around and setup an in-depth 60 minutes interview about his wife’s cancer battle. 
He’s leaned too hard into the culture war. The very same one that decimated the red wave and turned Michigan blue. 
The video of him berating the students for wearing masks at that press conference they did together isn’t going to play well nationally. >

True but I disagree with trump and his charisma at this point only stupid people would support him >

Stupid people making up a sizable portion of the electorate. >

Who do you mean? If it is republicans than ya and while their might be dumb people on the democrats side the vast majority are on the right >

I mean the party that supports defunding public education, is attacking teachers for being “woke” and actively hates their opponents for being “elitist” (tho they mean educated) is also garnering the support of people who didn’t finish high school, let alone go to college and can barely spell “woke” votes for them. One hand washes the other. >

His wife looks like she just came off the set of Mad Men in that picture. >

Hell, DeSantis real failings are that he is no less if not more a Fascists than Trump. When one takes political revenge on Mickey Mouse just because they criticized your policies this is someone in a Republic such as ours that is not considered the norm or even acceptable. When one busses immigrants from another state to Martha's Vineyard for pure political motives this is but another clue. I haven't even gotten to the point of mentioning his purely culture war policies against the LGBTQ communities or his bullshit Covid  Vaccine investigation crap.
He may lack all the charisma in the world but he has no issue with embracing the whims and wishes of the extreme right so he's incredibly dangerous. >

Of course. But he miscalculates it by thinking the country wants more of THAT. Hating all things woke is a very fringe endeavor >

This is absolutely not the case and we'll be sticking our heads in the sand if we think that regressive social policies cannot be used to great effect by conservative politicians to gain higher office. >

Oh I understand that. But white women woke up to Roe. More school shootings regrettably and other heinous behavior plus a diverse electorate. And, gotv operations. I like our chances >

Those were marginal shifts based around one election cycle so far. We’ll have to see if the trend builds momentum or not. You do know that the republicans won the “popular vote” in Nov 2022 by millions, right? >

Oh sure. And gerrymandering and voter suppression. Did you see how many ballots were thrown out in Pennsylvania? All Dems. And striking Roe isn't some one off. Women (suburban white women) woke up real quick.
Edit: remember, republicans want the voting laws changed so bad because they know demographics too. Their strategists see the trends too.. >


Did you see how many ballots were thrown out in Pennsylvania? All Dems.

No, just a small majority of dems. Yes that's voter suppression. 16K in PA thrown out. No that's nowhere near enough to cover the vote gap to give Republicans the popular vote lead nationally if multiplied x50. Remember democrats routinely win popular vote during presidential elections so its silly to imply that voter suppression keeps us from doing so. 
I agree that there's a general, if slim, majority of democratic voters in the country. The issue is whether suburban voters - which are where most swing voters are located on whose districts basically control which party gets congressional majorities - continue to vote strong dem for the forseeable elections. This seems unlikely to me without more shoes dropping even with Roe being what it is. Voters have extremely short memories, especially suburban voters. >

Why the hell is his wife dressing like a fucking British royal? Is that a damn cape??? >

What else, with those gloves. >

Not to sound crazy but sometimes I think the party marching to the precipice of environmental collapse doesn't really have a master plan. >

Ron Desantis doesn't deserve as much credit as he's getting for FL. Charlie Crist was a pathetic wet noodle candidate, and FL's electorate has banked right faster than the rest of the country if '22 is any indication. 
The National Stage will not be kind to the opportunistic snake. >

He's going to get crushed by Trump if he runs in 2024. That's where a lot of people have it wrong. It's stunning to watch because a lot of the supposed support that DeSantis has now for a presidential run will evaporate when he has to compete for the nomination.
Trump might be weaker, and the party elders are coming out and saying he's unelectable, but to turn that into action requires a conscience and ethics and the conviction to put words into action, and we've already established through an entire term of embarrassing and masochistic submission that they will simply accept whoever is most likely to win the nomination. >

Is George de-Santos related to the governor? >

DeSatan is the Republicans' Great Greasy Haired Hope >

Could’ve stopped at “Republicans are getting it wrong” and we’d be good. >

Florida’s older-than-average residents are cool with his open homophobia too, but that won’t fly with most of the US once it’s in full sunlight. >

She ain’t Jackie. >

Somebody called her "Serena Joyless" a while back and it made me snort-laugh. >

DeSantis idolizes Hungary’s Orban and is doing everything he can get away with over the last four plus years. America will cease to be a constitutional republic if it gives DeSantis four years as POTUS.
This is not a drill. >

Please tell me NY Times what Republicans get 'right' about anything? >

Hate how deferential they are in whitewashing history.  One side telling me the moon is made of cheese is not equally newsworthy along side the other party grounded in reality. >

I’m looking forward to when republicans shut down the government and just one months SS check does not show up. Florida folds like a house of cards. >

DeSantis does not deserve as much credit as he receives. As governor of Florida, he has not implemented any policies that have been beneficial and has only caused drama. The population and real estate booms in Florida have been driven by factors such as the influx of retiring baby boomers and the trend of remote work due to COVID-19, rather than any actions taken by DeSantis. Despite this, some people may be mistakenly attributing these booms to DeSantis' drama. >

This article is very well-written and brings out the nuances nicely.  The economy is dependent disproportionately on tourism, agriculture and real estate. It will be hard to support tourism and agriculture without labor that can afford to live well. DeSantis ( and most Republican politicians) simply are robbing the state's population of its future. >

On the bright side, the midterms showed that beyond the fringes, his “woke bad” platform never got anywhere in almost all of the tossup states. On the other hand, if shit keeps getting worse, the war prolongs and the cost of goods across going up across the board, he could be the last president we have >

His wife is really trying to nail down that Jackie K look. >

Does his wife always cosplay as Jackie Kennedy? >

Somebody should tell all those Floridians voting for him in record numbers how bad a job he's doing. They must have missed it. Good thing they have this British former NPR podcaster who lives in NYC to clear things up for them. >


Garcia-Navarro was born in London, England. She has stated that her parents "are Cuban and Panamanian," and that she grew up in Miami. Garcia-Navarro studied international relations at Georgetown University and later obtained a Master's degree in journalism at the City University London.
She started her career working as a freelance journalist for the BBC World Service and Voice of America, traveling to Cuba, Syria, Panama and several European countries on assignment for the two organizations.
She was hired by Associated Press Television News as a producer in 1999 and later worked for the news agency's radio division. AP dispatched Garcia-Navarro to Kosovo in 1999; Colombia in 2000; Afghanistan in 2001; Israel in 2002; and Iraq from 2002 to 2004.
Garcia-Navarro traveled to Iraq on assignment before the 2003 war and was among the few journalists that covered the invasion as a unilateral reporter.
Garcia-Navarro joined National Public Radio in November 2004 as Mexico City bureau chief. She moved to Baghdad in January 2008, where she oversaw NPR's Iraq coverage for more than a year. She moved to Jerusalem in the spring of 2009. She opened NPR's Brazil bureau in April 2013.

But what does she know, right? >

This whole article is such a stretch. So Florida is older than the rest of the country? It’s still a great place to live. All the criticisms levied in the article are completely hypothetical. Also, the criticisms have nothing to do with politics or the governor’s ambitions. The author is trying to connect dots that simply are not there. People like this author are so terrified at the prospect of DeSantis becoming president that they’re concocting lazy, half-baked criticisms, throwing them against the wall to see what sticks. They have to do something though, as Democrats do not currently have a candidate that can beat DeSantis. >

It's probably difficult to assess this when living down there surrounded by it, but I can assure you that deSantis has very little chance to win a national election in the northern portions of the country. Like it or not, his brand is repellent to Americans up here. >

That’s what they said about Trump… >

Yes, and the 120k or so swing voters in a few states who made the difference for Trump in 2016 are no longer an issue, thanks to the increasingly hardline,  unpopular positions of the GOP. >

You say that but you really have no evidence to back it up. It’s all speculation. Nobody knows what’s going to happen in the next election, especially not you. >

There are entire fields of study devoted to documenting such things, but sure. >

God made a gaslighter. >

Gilead looking mfs >

Sigh.  These thread comments scare me.  After 4 years of a destructive Trump/Putin administration in the White House, are Democrats really foolish enough to think DeSantis is unelectable?  Seriously?  Are people all but kicking up their heels and hoping DeSantis runs because any Democrat would randomly defeat him because Americans would never support a . . . 
Yea, that’s déjà vu you felt kicking in just now, circa 2016. >

Can stop after the 5th word. >

$10 that when it's all said and done in 6-10 years, DeSantis admin will ruin Florida and it will be an overpopulated dumpster fire with environmental problems, underfunded infrastructure, poor education system, and at least several of the current flavor of the decade politicians like Gaetz will be far up their ass in corruption and sex scandals, as they can't keep their noses clean while the spotlight's on them. >

Don’t care for fascism in America. These Republicans are a total threat to our freedoms and national security! >

Congress needs to pass a law that sny executive member stealing or mishandling classified documents   ( biden!   look Republicans,  stick it to Da Libs!!)  cannot run for office . >


Most criticism of Mr. DeSantis’s national electability has been centered around his lack of charisma, which Mr. Trump crystallized by giving him the cumbersome nickname Ron DeSanctimonious. But focusing on personality and style obscures the governor’s real failings: Florida is not a model for the nation, unless the nation wants to become unaffordable for everyone except rich snowbirds.
While my home state’s popularity might indeed seem like good news for a governor with presidential ambitions, a closer look shows that Florida is underwater demographically. Most of those flocking there are aging boomers with deep pockets, adding to the demographic imbalance for what is already one of the grayest populations in the nation. This means that Florida won’t have the younger workers needed to care for all those seniors. And while other places understand that immigrants, who often work in the service sector and agriculture, two of Florida’s main industries, are vital to replenishing aging populations, Mr. DeSantis and the state G.O.P. are not exactly immigrant-friendly, enacting legislation to limit the ability of people with uncertain legal status to work in the state.
[...]
The fact is, Florida is having many of the same problems as its liberal archnemesis California, and its Republican-led State Legislature is doing little to help less-affluent families thrive. More than 76 percent of Floridians live on the coasts, but in an era of fierce storms due to climate change and rising sea levels, many can’t afford or even qualify for insurance for their homes, especially those who live in older buildings or in low-income areas. Lawmakers in Tallahassee ended the year giving insurance companies a huge bailout but doing little to reduce insurance costs for homeowners. >

I get that Florida has its issues but I kind of wonder what state is getting it right?  seems like many large states have issues. >

I’m feeling pretty awesome about living in IL these days. >

How so? I believe you, I’m just interested in specifics. 
Also, here in NY—a very large state—we’re doing pretty well. Not without problems—there are always problems—but doing well, I think. >

Well, I live in Chicago, which I legit think is the greatest place in the country to live. We have jobs, fun things to do, a huge lake lined with public beaches, semi-decent public transportation, great food, nice people, a pretty low cost of living compared to places like NYC or Austin or Portland, and are more-or-less safe from climate disaster when compared to places with earthquakes/vanishing coastlines/wildfires/tornadoes/etc.
The rest of the state is basically as red as any red state, but because Chicago is the population center, we also have a pretty lefty state government, all things considered. We just ended the practice of cash bail in IL (well, it's in the middle of a last-minute legal challenge at the moment, but we're gonna get there), we're passing some pretty strong climate legislation (not as strong as I'd like but it's progress,) and we don't have to worry about losing our rights to abortion, birth control, marriage equality, etc. 
The only shitty thing is winter, but I was born in Chicago so I'm used to it (plus, I think if we didn't have nasty winters and completely overblown fears about crime scaring people off, this place would get crowded and expensive pretty quick). >

Not a single mention of the incredible gun violence and gang activity that plagues the city, you must have been born into the gentrified high income areas. >

I really hope this is sarcasm but you can’t be sure around here. >

Nope, Chicago is objectively a dangerous city, and I've lived in several in and outside the US, including Chicago. 600+ murders, and nearly 3000 shootings inside city limits last year isn't great metrics.
These numbers allow Chicago to be ranked the 6th most dangerous city in America for 2022. >

The 3rd largest city in the US is the 6th most dangerous city? First of all, okay; second of all, where is Chicago ranked 6th most dangerous city? Because I can't find that ranking anywhere. >

A Florida governor elected to the highest office would just be another sign of democratic backsliding like electing a piece of shit reality “celebrity”. >

What is your take on California voting against gay marriage and having it overturned by the Supreme Court?
Democracy right?