I don’t buy all of this. No, actually I think you’re mostly right.
The idea that liberal outrage fuels Trump’s popularity is spot on. Own the libs is the only guide post for the party and it’s base, at this point. Trump still does this better than anybody.
The idea that it’s just Trump’s energy is what I generally disagreed with, but I think that’s a matter of perspective. There are a lot of obsequious candidates like Josh Mandel who have spent a lot of time sucking up to Trump while simultaneously trying to throw out inflammatory rhetoric. So he still matters to some candidates.
But that’s largely a political miscalculation on the part of some candidates. From the perspective of voters, not every Trump endorsement matters and the most popular political figures, other than Trump, are people like DeSantis who don’t spend a lot of time talking about Trump but who do a good job of owning the libs.
There is still a faction within the Republican Party’s base that is still all Trump, all the time. You can see that in posts here. But I think you’re right that that group is shrinking. I still think he would roll DeSantis in a primary and DeSantis is the closest one to him. But I could definitely be wrong.
Party knows that Trump is the past and maybe the present but Desantis is the future.
What everyone liked about Trump is he was actually willing to FIGHT, when so many Rinos promised they were good little conservatives at election time but rolled over like a whipped dog any time the left pushed something. They were tired of apologizing for their faith, their love of country and their beliefs in personal responsibility. Most had worked hard and followed the rules only to see their chance at a better life pissed away or stolen by wolves in sheeps clothing.
Trump is a very blunt instrument - a massive
F U to the entire elite and governing edifice. BLM, white 'fragility" and white rage, HA! Simpleminded victims being led around by puzzy hat wearing idiots themselves indoctrinated to stupidity through the supposed institutions of "higher learning". You haven't seen blue-collar whitely rage yet. And the elite are absolutely terrified at the thought.
Notice they dont care about BLM riots and looting? Because they control that through people who have been trained like lab rats to expect a treat when performing.
Whitey rage is quite different. Its slow to ignite but terrible in its wrath and hard to extinguish. In our history, it leads to revolutions and civil wars but above all, it threatens to overthrow the established power hierarchy.
Interestingly, it may have started with unwashed whitey rage, but now, most anyone who actually has a family and a job (that actually produces something other than grievance mongering) and cares about their religious faith, has decided that really,
its not about being "white" at all, or at least it has nothing to do with skin color. That is why vast numbers of hardworking Hispanics and black people too are abandoning the Democratic party because they can see that they have so much in common with hard working whites. See where you stand on Faith, Freedom, Family and Personal Responsibility and that will tell you who you align with today. Unfortunately, the GOP leadership needs to do a better job of representing that themselves or the movement will find others who will.
Trump is a club, Desantis so far has shown himself to be a deftly cutting sword.
There is no way Desantis will run if Trump does. He has only to wait and make Florida happy and liberals angry. Many Trump voters would vote for Trump if he runs again, maybe even over Desantis - but many secretly hope Trump stays on the sidelines and cheers Desantis on.
