DiSantis

December 14, 2021

I recently returned from a quick golf trip to Florida. I have to report that the weather was perfect, but that’s another story. One of the political stories on the ground was about what a good job Governor Ron DiSantis was doing. He is smart, well-educated, a veteran, and reasonably photogenic. For many on the right, he is Trump-lite, and a legitimate presidential candidate. Unfortunately, he is no Charlie Baker.

He ordered all flags lowered to half-staff when Rush Limbaugh died. That honor is usually reserved for well-known public officials, members of the military and law enforcement officers who died on duty. He ordered up a million doses of hydroxychloroquine from Israel, which are now sitting in a warehouse somewhere gathering dust. He has formed his own personal militia. Per the Orlando Sentinel, “We have tried to think of a situation in Florida’s recent history where state leaders said “What we really need is a few hundred guys (or mostly guys) — not police or soldiers, different guys — wearing alligator patches with a cryptic logo, ready to do … something.” Florida is now issuing $5,000 fines to businesses, schools and government agencies that require people to show proof of a COVID-19 vaccination. He sells “Don’t Fauci My Florida” merchandise on his website to raise political funds. And most recently, he sent out a fund-raising e-mail, urging people to lock up Dr. Anthony Fauci.

He should be more like Senatorial candidate, Val Demings, who spent most of her career fighting actual bad guys. Or, he could do what I do when I am in Florida. Play golf.