DeSantis vs. Trump; a cold war getting 'hotter and hotter' - The Hill

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The Hill published on Monday a report that outlined the "differences" between former President Trump and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, arguing that these "differences" were coming to the surface as both emerge as potential opponents in the upcoming presidential race. 

The relationship between the two has its own ups and downs and a long trail of contradictions. 

In 2018, Trump endorsed DeSantis early in the race for governor, and the former President often takes credit for DeSantis' victory.

On November 8, Trump announced he voted for Florida Governor Ron DeSantis in the state’s race for governor.

Just two days later, he called the governor "Ron DeSanctimonious" at a rally in Pennsylvania and again took credit for his career. 

The report argues that if Ron runs for president in 2024, despite there being no guarantee that he will, it is likely that the race will be a heated one, mainly due to sharp "differences" in their policy positions. 

As put by Sam Nunberg, a GOP strategist who advised Trump’s 2016 campaign, "We’ll continue to see this cold war get hotter and hotter, and the only thing to watch is when DeSantis starts to openly criticize or respond to Trump," he said, adding that "[Ron] doesn’t have to while he’s governor, but eventually he will as a candidate."

A first matter to consider, the report states, is Trump's handling of the Covid-19 pandemic which is seen as a "possible political weak point," the report states, noting that ascribing to recommendations that were provided by health experts was not a good idea for Trump.

Ron, on the other hand, allowed businesses to remain open during the pandemic, the time at which he rose to national prominence.

The governor further appeared to outdo Trump when he announced the establishment of a state committee to counterbalance health agencies such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

He also said he would file a request to launch a probe on the Covid vaccines. 

Although the topic seems trivial at present, especially given the myriad of new problems that have emerged in recent times, it is quite obvious to see why Americans still talk about it. 

The unemployment rate jumped in April 2020 and stood at 4.9% in October 2021, compared with 3.5% in February 2020. 

There was also increased pressure on the supply chains and a decrease in government income, which heavily impacted consumer activity overall.

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Another point of comparison is "in the governor's legislative record," the report states

"I think the overall narrative and differentiation will be that DeSantis gets things done, and he’s not a cult of personality,” said one Florida-based Republican strategist. "While President Trump is running for himself, DeSantis is running for the people and showing he can do effective government."

"Trump will want to say that everything up until the pandemic was a major success and you should judge him on that," the strategist added.

Over the past two years, Trump has been the object of serious controversy over claims that the 2020 elections were rigged. 

"He dined with a white nationalist Holocaust denier at his Florida club, and he suggested parts of the Constitution should be set aside so he could have a redo of the 2020 election or be put back into power," the report states.

On the other hand, DeSantis consecrated more time to rack up policies in order to gather a wider voting public.

For instance, "he backed a law to restrict discussion of gender and sexuality among younger schoolchildren; transported migrants from Texas to the liberal enclave of Martha’s Vineyard, Mass.; and pushed back against mask requirements in schools. He also signed off on a congressional map that strongly favored Republicans, helping the party pick up additional seats in November’s midterms," the report says.

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Whether these "differences" are relevant or not is not of particular interest from a third-world perspective.

What matters is that a Republican President be elected in the forthcoming elections, because one thing that a Republican President will surely do, especially in foreign political matters, is minding their own business.

Unlike former President Barack Obama and current President Joe Biden, Trump was the first President in US history who did not start a new war.

It is worth noting that on December 25, the January 6 investigative committee on the Capitol riots recommended that Trump never be allowed to run for the presidency again. 

It is hoped that when the Republicans take over US congress that the recommendations issued by the panel be dismissed.