Judd Legum: How DeSantis manipulates the media

[Nevilledog]

https://popular.info/p/how-desantis-manipulates-the-media

On August 18, in a "campaign-style event," Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R) announced that 20 people had been arrested "for breaking Florida’s elections laws." In a press release, DeSantis' office set aside the presumption of innocence, branding the group "election criminals." The accused, according to DeSantis, were previously stripped of their right to vote after being convicted of murder or a felony sexual offense but voted in the 2020 election.

The charges were the first brought by the Florida Office of Election Crimes and Security, a new entity created by the Florida legislature at DeSantis' request earlier this year. The 20 voters account for 0.0000018% of the 11 million ballots cast in Florida's 2020 election. DeSantis described the arrests as the tip of the iceberg. “It’s not just going to be 20 arrests,” DeSantis said. “This is the opening salvo of an office that was just set up on July 1.”

DeSantis created the Office of Election Crimes and Security as he runs for reelection in Florida this year and considers a run for the presidency in 2024. At the state and national level, DeSantis' future hinges on his ability to appeal to Republican voters, many of whom erroneously believe Biden stole the 2020 election from Trump.

DeSantis' event successfully generated headlines that would appeal to Republican voters looking for validation of Trump's false claims about election fraud:

DeSantis' announcement had lots of political theatrics. It was held in a Florida courtroom, and Republican activists sat in the jury box waving signs saying, "My Vote Counts." But there were few specifics offered on the individual cases.

*snip*

[gratuitous]

1. The cases don't matter nearly as much as the message to the "wrong" Florida voters

I really hope this nonsense isn't persuasive to a majority of Florida voters come November.

Note to Florida voters who feel they're being targeted by DeSantis (and you are): Double- and triple-check your voter registration. Make 100% sure you're registered for the right party; has your full, correct address (e.g. "123 Sesame Street," not just "123 Sesame" ); and if you have any (ANY) possible legal infractions on your record (all the way down to overtime parking), get them paid off and your slate clean.

[halfulglas]

2. He's media savvy like Joe McCarthy

McCarthy manipulated print reporters' deadlines. He knew exactly when to step in front of Washington bureaus of local and wire service reporters so they would have something - anything - to file to get a story in, even though most of the cynical reporters knew the story was bullcrap. They would couch the story as Senator McCarthy says or claims, etc. They didn't report there was no proof submitted. Besides the famous conflict with Joseph Welch at the Army McCarthy hearings and the report by Edward R Murrow I think part of his downfall was when he was no longer talking in sound bites - he had no charisma.

One thing with DeSantis and his insults - I think we should get some tall Dems near him - ask him who he's calling an elf - he's not much taller than Dr. Fauci.