DeSantis follows in Trump's authoritarian footsteps

[icymist]

“There are no second chances. It’s well known that you can’t go against him. If you cross him once, you’re dead,” the unnamed politician told Politico, speaking anonymously to avoid becoming a target. The comment, by a former Florida state legislator, does not refer to Donald Trump, as one might assume, but to another vindictive leader: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.

If DeSantis is becoming many Republicans’ answer to their “Trump problem,” his rise is because of his authoritarian sympathies and attitudes, not in spite of them. He promises a more “respectable”-seeming version of illiberal rule than the baggage-laden outrage specialist that is Trump. No wonder dozens of billionaires backed him even before his November re-election.

...As Trump’s former attorney general (and Federalist Society member) William Barr put it in predicting DeSantis would be the 2024 Republican presidential nominee, Trump was “the wrecking ball ... against progressive excess.” Had Jan. 6 finished the ruining of democracy, they might still be behind him. But Trump’s autocratic bid for power failed, and the subsequent mess of investigations and temper tantrums has perhaps become too tumultuous. Better to replace him, these conservatives believe, with a more pliant and predictable leader to bring the appearance of calm and stability.

But let’s be clear: The man whom Rupert Murdoch’s New York Post celebrates as “DeFuture” would, in fact, continue Trump’s relentless attempts to turn back the clock on social progress in America by silencing and disenfranchising tens of millions who don’t fit into Republicans’ white Christian vision for the nation.

https://www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnbc-opinion/ron-desantis-follows-donald-trumps-authoritarian-footsteps-rcna56505

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Just what I've been afraid of: A smarter, calmer Christian Nationalist Authoritarian.

[Quakerfriend]

1. Very scary possibility....

Can you imagine him running with someone like Kari Lake as VP (assuming she loses her race for gov.)

[KS Toronado]

2. And that's just who he'll pick as a running mate

or some other Fascist like himself.

[Chainfire]

5. I can see him picking Don Jr. or Ivanka.

Once Daddy is out of the picture, no holds are barred.

[PortTack]

3. Saw a clip with laura ingraham talking about how republicans were going to have to

Pick candidates that were appealing and could win. She went on to say they were going to have to appeal to voters outside of their base including young voters. Her boss along with other fux snooz ppl say it’s time to move on from trump. So what do they do….pick a younger meaner trump. Do they think a younger version of trump is going to appeal to any voters, let alone young voters? Yup..we’re moving on from trump…no you’re not!

[Chainfire]

4. He is far more dangerous to Democracy than the clown Trump.

DeSantis has all of the loveable qualities of a serial killer.

[Timeflyer]

6. Welcome to my nightmare.

[FloridaBlues]

7. He's more vindictive than trump. Plus he has a supermajority

Now In the state house and Senate. Open carry will be his first item. No abortions. No dissent from business or corporations this is the starting point for his next term

[blue neen]

8. We'll see what happens with DeSatan after Trump gets done tearing him down.

Pisswig says he has lots of dirt on Ronnie, and I bet he does.

[dalton99a]

9. DeSantis would be far more successful at inflicting lasting and severe damage to America.

The asshole is an extremely ambitious and coldly calculating sadist.