WEST COAST
Opinion by:
E. Eugene Webb PhD
Author:
In
Search of Robin
The Republican Party of Florida has some difficult and challenging decisions to make in the next few months.
With
current Governor Ron DeSantis’s approval rating slowly slipping South, the question
on the table is: does the Republican Party of Florida's leadership think Ron DeSantis
can win in the upcoming gubernatorial election?
On the
Democratic side, there are likely to be several primary candidates for the
governor's office, including Nikki Fried, and Charlie Crist.
Looking
at the political crystal ball, at this point, it would really be difficult to
say who might emerge victorious in that upcoming primary election for the
Democrats. However, for now, Fried and Crist seem to be the most prominent
names.
Governor
DeSantis’ approach to leading the State of Florida in the past few months
regarding the coronavirus and the anti-riot bill have proven to be unpopular
with a large segment of Florida voters.
His
bullying and threatening tactics used with School Board members and school
administrators regarding the mask mandate has left a foul taste in the mouths
of a lot of the people on both sides of the issue who vote in this state.
The Governor's
continuing legal challenges to court decisions unfavorable to his positions on
these issues are starting to irritate the public to say the least.
With
somebody like Charlie Crist and his compassionate approach to governing running
on the Democratic side, the Florida Republican Party must consider not only can
DeSantis win a second term, but if he is weak what might that due to the down
ballot races for the Florida House and the Florida Senate?
The
Republican Party of Florida may decide to rely on the results of extensive
polling to determine whether DeSantis is in political jeopardy. The problem
with that approach has been the recent series of elections where the polling
was significantly flawed.
The
other issue is simply the fact that even though polling can be done quite
quickly these days, by the time you get close enough to the primary election to
find out the current poll results, it will be too late to react if the polling
indicates DeSantis is in trouble.
There
are several prominent Republicans in Florida, who could mount a primary
challenge to the current Governor, but to do so without the endorsement of the State
Party organization would be political suicide. It's certainly true that anybody
who decides to mount a serious challenge against the current Governor will
without question endure his full force personal and political wrath.
Republican
politicians, especially those who have reached an elevated level in the state
political hierarchy, are risk adverse. There's no doubt that deciding to oppose
Governor DeSantis and forcing a Republican primary for the governorship, and
losing, would relegate the loser to the Republican trash pile.
As a
lifelong Republican, I am already on record saying that I will not support Governor
DeSantis in the upcoming gubernatorial election. I think his approach to the
governorship with all its draconian trappings is a travesty for this State and
has made us look like the laughingstock of Republican controlled states in the
country.
Political
leopards like DeSantis, don't change their stripes. There will be no Ron
DeSantis 2.0 who is more compassionate, more understanding, more willing to
compromise, and less willing to do political and legal battle over any and
every issue.
There
will just be more of the same.
DeSantis
was never really like Donald Trump. He's proven much more to be like Attila the
Hun running roughshod and focusing on what he thinks his best and political
force to get his way.
I
would love to see a gubernatorial race between Ron DeSantis and Charlie Crist. The
voters of Florida would never have a starker difference between their
gubernatorial candidates.
So, if
the Republicans want to stay in power, in the Governor's office, in the Florida
House and the Florida Senate, it's just simply time for some serious soul
searching.
But
remember this, those of you, who serve in the Florida Republican Party
organization, if you even begin to talk about this openly, get ready for the
full wrath of Governor Ron DeSantis.
He will be coming for you.
E-mail
Doc at mail to: dr.gwebb@yahoo.com or send me a Facebook (E. Eugene Webb) Friend
request. Like or share on Facebook and follow me on TWITTER @DOC ON THE
BAY.
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Doc's Photo Gallery at Bay Post Photos.
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