Donald Trump seems unstoppable as the Republican nominee for 2024, but Florida's Gov. Ron DeSantis is plunging into the race anyway. Is that good?
The theory behind a potential DeSantis run was that the GOP needed to put up a candidate who offered Trump's policies without Trump's personality. That theory gained traction as DeSantis turned Florida into a shining success, and provided victory after victory -- even in Miami -- in the 2022 midterm races.
But that theory eroded for two reasons. First: Democrats succeeded in making Republicans rally around Trump by pursuing frivolous prosecutions against him, making it clear that there was far more at stake in 2024 than the presidency.
Second: DeSantis became too Trumpy, personality-wise, by chasing a conflict with Disney too far, and by signing more aggressive pro-life legislation than he had before. Suddenly he did not seem like a steadier pair of hands than Trump.
DeSantis hurt himself with his botched campaign launch. It was never a good idea to start by talking to two billionaires on a tech platform. Then the tech crashed, undermining DeSantis's image as the guy who makes things work.
Once the conversation was up and running, it was deeply unimpressive. Sure, there was wonkish detail on policy, but that is not what people want -- either from DeSantis, or in general. It felt like the Ted Cruz campaign, circa 2016.
Voters need to feel that DeSantis stands for THEM, not for conservatives as such. What connected Republican voters to Trump in 2016 -- and, for many, what connects them still -- is a sense of empathy that DeSantis still lacks.
It's not too late. DeSantis can -- against the odds -- overtake Trump. But even if he doesn't, he can also bring something to the race. That "something" is his home state: Florida. "Make America Florida Again," as the wisecrack goes.
Give us more than the distorted picture that California Gov. Gavin Newsom and other Democrats are portraying. Tell us the story of successful governance. Export the model -- whether you win or lose. That's how to make a difference.
This is my first broadcast from the new office and studio in Washington, DC, where I'll be for a couple of years my neighborhood back in L.A. cleans up -- and as we follow the Trump administration from a little closer up than usual.
Topics:
- The anniversary of the attempted assassination of President Donald Trump
- The escalating tariff battle with various different trading partners
- The future of the Middle East peace talks, and ongoing antisemitism
- The Jeffrey Epstein files and whether they mean anything at all
- The continued crisis of the Texas floods, and stories of heroism and survival
And more!
Special guests:
- James Rosen - Newsmax chief Washington correspondent
- Bob Price - Breitbart News Texas reporter, on the ongoing floods
- Robert Cahill - Trafalgar Polling, on a new alliance of reliable pollsters
- Rabbi Yaakov Menken - Coalition for Jewish Values - on Israel & antisemitism
Tune in: 7-10 p.m. ET, 4-7 p.m. PT
Call: 866-957-2874
This week’s portion tells the grand story of the prophet who tried to curse people of Israel and instead ended up blessing them.
I am reminded that these portions continue to be relevant anew, as this particular reading lent the title for Israel’s recent 12 Day War against Iran, “Operation Rising Lion.”
This week's portion includes the commandment of the red heifer -- one of the classic "irrational" commandments whose fulfillment is an expression of faith. It also includes the regrettable episode in which Moses strikes the rock.
I referred to this story in a wedding speech last night. Why was Moses punished for striking the rock in Numbers, when he struck the rock without incident in Exodus -- both for the purpose of providing water to the people?
The answer is that in the interim, the Jewish people had received the Torah, which is like the marriage contract between the people of Israel and God. In a marriage, you do not resolve things by breaking boundaries, but through love.
The additional reading, from Judges Chapter 11, is the story of Jephthah (Yiftach), a man whom the leaders spurn, but to whom they must turn to save the nation. The parallels to our present political circumstances are striking.
Shabbat Shalom and Happy Fourth of July!
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