aggiehawg said:Are you implying Trump manipulated DeSantis in some way?Quote:
He was almost in a no-win situation and was put there by Trump. Remove the Trump-effect from this Primary and DeSantis was running at the perfect time based off what he had accomplished, the mood of the country, and the momentum he had gained as governor. His term as Gov will end two years before 2028. His prime time was now, despite what you want to argue.
Lord no, didn't mean that at all. DeSantis entered the race all on his own (of course there were plenty of people in his ear, but I don't think Trump was one of them). And Trump certainly didn't manipulate anything other than what all politicians try to manipulate in races...maybe some polls, media coverage, etc. But nothing on the level of what I think you're asking.
Now, could there be valid questions of just what was manipulated in favor of Trump? Sure, of course. I think Ronna had a hand in tilting the Party's playing surface towards Trump. I think the media, all of it regardless of affiliation, tilted in favor of Trump because he's a huuuuge cash cow for them. Nobody, NOBODY, drives ratings for all media like Trump does.
And I think the continued persecution of Trump was done with the partial intent of tilting the Primary race in his favor while (hopefully for the Dems) tilting it away from Trump in the following General race. These days voters vote against candidates. Who does the Left hate more than anyone in the world and would drive Dems to the voting booth in November? Who does the Left paint as the antichrist in an attempt to scare moderate suburban voters into voting Dem? Who would a lot of conservatives rally around if they viewed he was being treated as a whipping boy by the Left?
There is a lot of manipulation going on in this race, and ironically I don't think Trump has to actually do any of it himself.