SFGbob
New Fish
Top end takeaway tonight should be that Trump’s influence in the GOP should not be public facing (at worst) in any way shape or form
You can’t leave tonight thinking that Trump is electable in 2024
I don't entirely agree with you, Goduckies and Grundle. I understand yours and 97% of anyone with an ounce of conservatism in their bones opining on the subject this morning. My only concession on Trump would be he stays relevant from an elder statesman perspective and passes the reigns to DeSantis. But there's not much decorum to Trump so I doubt that's even possible. Cons apparently are always going to lose so why not go down fighting as hard as you can?
The problem is that you need to run a candidate that (at least publicly) defeats Trump and isn’t part of Trump’s umbrella
Anybody tied to Trump will just drive the same type of ads that Murray was running on Smiley and those Trump ties have big implications to a material segment of voters
So your a no on DeSantis?
I think DeSantis is very electable nationally
What I wonder though is whether the carnage of running a primary in 2024 against Trump is worth it or does he sit out, watch Biden vs Trump II, and continue building that resume in Florida for a 2028 run with far fewer land mines to navigate against
I don't think it matters. DeSantis will be the most likeable, polished, and competent rival Trump will have ever faced. The one liners (Sleepy Joe, Lyin' Ted, Little Marco) won't work. He already swung and missed terribly with Ron DeSanctimonious. DeSantis will absolutely obliterate Trump. That might hurt him though, because the heavy Trump followers will not like him made out as a fool, and will lash at the person that does. On the other hand, going toe to toe with Trump and knocking him the fuck out will probably gravitate a shit ton of moderate independents that would likely have voted democrat his way. So taking away democrat votes and netting them, will outweigh the loss of Trump extremists as they will just stay home instead of voting for the democrat.
Trump's ability to build a colaition and expand his base will never be greater than it is right now. The baggage he carries will never allow him to win another general election. His brand is toxic to too many people in this country.

