Trump vs. DeSantis, Kennedy – Nixon

What’s the connection?

When I see something that doesn’t make sense, my immediate reflex is to ask why. Last week my Governor (I’m a Floridian) Ron DeSantis did what everyone was expecting and announced his candidacy for the Republican nomination in the 2024 presidential election. No big surprise here.

By positioning himself and pasturing for over a year in preparation, DeSantis laid the groundwork to solidify the direction of the primary election. Even though he is still Florida’s governor, he traveled the country visiting different cities and states; he even traveled abroad to meet foreign leaders, all designed with one purpose, exposing the world to Ron DeSantis in preparation for this momentous announcement.

And Surprise! Instead of having a national TV extravaganza, Ron and Elon had a Twitter Spaces, audio-only RUD (rapid unscheduled disassembly). By the way, this wasn’t the only RUD Elon engineered in the last few months. Check out my Starship video.

Now don’t take this wrong, I’m a big fan of both men and I applaud Elon’s approach to Twitter, but I am saying this should never have happened. So why did it? The whole thing just doesn’t make sense.

I began to wonder, and this is my take on what happened. I wasn’t a fly on the wall when Elon and Ron hatched this plan of theirs, and neither made any attempt to reach out for my opinion. But I think it’s pretty obvious even to the casual onlooker that they put the cart in front of the horse. Instead of leaping forward, everyone is talking about DeSantis’ great fall.

It’s simple. DeSantis should have made his announcement a TV extravaganza, an event fit for media commentary. He should have stood at the podium (where he’s most comfortable) with his family at his side, laid out his plan and policies, and it would’ve served as an excellent jumping-off point into the New Hampshire primary. Then, after the coming out party, DeSantis could do an exclusive interview on Twitter Spaces hosted by Elon and Bam, success. But of course that isn’t what happened and the reason why is something that most (if not all) media and political pundits are overlooking.

Ron DeSantis is not TV extravaganza material and on that level, he doesn’t hold a candle to Trump’s public persona. I’ve seen him in person at a fairly intimate public forum where DeSantis spoke to a few hundred people. I was seated in the middle of the room almost directly in front of the podium. DeSantis came in, went straight to the podium, and gave his speech (very well I might add). By the way, more than just a few times we made eye contact and he spoke directly to me. Now before you blast me for bragging, I know that choosing one individual in an audience to speak to is a public speaking technique. I’m just saying it happened, and more than once or twice.

After the speech, DeSantis sat on stage with the host and answered questions. Then he got up, shook hands with the host, and left. During the entire episode, DeSantis only looked uncomfortable and forced, during that brief moment when he had to shake hands and converse (off mic) with the host.

The distinct difference between a politician like President Donald J. Trump and Governor Ron DeSantis is this. Trump cares about you and you know it because it’s genuine, not forced. I’m sure DeSantis cares too, but it isn’t obvious, especially on TV.

Here’s the Kennedy/Nixon connection. 70 million people watched the first-ever televised debate between a Vice-President and a Senator. Before the debate, Nixon was ahead. After the debate, Kennedy won the election. Of those Americans who watched the debate on TV, Kennedy was the clear winner. For those Americans (a small fraction) who listened to the debate on the radio, Nixon won.

Kennedy had his own makeup team; Nixon had no makeup at all. For Kennedy, the presentation was just as important as the message and he was right. By choosing to do an audio-only announcement, DeSantis attempted to change formats from an extravaganza setting (Trump’s comfort zone) to an oral debate setting (DeSantis’ comfort zone). It was a bad idea.

Ron-DeSantis1-16443810d2544dff948823be0dbb2abf.jpg (1500×1000) (people.com)

Don’t get me wrong, DeSantis would make a good president against any Democratic contender, but not against President Trump. From a voter’s perspective, Kennedy (and sadly Obama) proved beyond any doubt that after policy and track record, the most important question you have to be the answer to is this. Who would you like to have a Diet Coke with (Trump doesn’t drink alcohol)? If in 2024 the answer is still Donald J. Trump, DeSantis will make a great US Attorney General and future Republican nominee.

prez-donald-trump-18-smile-flag-getty-640×480.jpg (640×480) (breitbart.com)

PS – Trump fills stadiums (not hotel conference rooms) and he does it nationally. DeSantis is a political star in Florida. Trump is a political force across the nation and around the world.

And don’t forget. Trump is comfortable in a debate environment too.

Links

How the Kennedy-Nixon debate changed the world of politics | Constitution Center

Caution: most of this site is liberally biased. But isn’t it amazing how truth finds its way and the story stays the same through history? Debate: Opening Statements – Kennedy and Nixon: The Great Debate (weebly.com)