Journalist and political commentator Joy Reid joins Chris Hayes to discuss her fascinating trajectory, including her years in Florida and unique insight into the state's current culture wars. They also talk about her time working on political campaigns, the anti-CRT movement, and the peril of this political moment.
The success of Ron DeSantis in Florida politics can be attributed to his strategic positioning, switch on COVID-19 policies, and targeted implementation of policies affecting Black voters.
DeSantis prioritized protecting older and wealthier populations during the COVID-19 pandemic, partnering with Publix to create a false perception of a COVID-free paradise in Florida.
Ron DeSantis lacks the charisma and communication skills of Donald Trump, limiting his potential political success beyond Florida, despite certain policy alignments.
Deep dives
The rise of Ron DeSantis and his political strategies
Ron DeSantis emerged as a political figure with his victory in the Florida gubernatorial race in 2018. He strategically positioned himself by switching his position on COVID-19 policies, appealing to a demographic of older and retired individuals who prioritize low taxes. Additionally, DeSantis played on fear and targeted voting rights by implementing policies that disproportionately affected Black voters. His success in the 2022 re-election was due to low voter turnout, demoralization among Black voters, and a combination of structural and demographic factors in Florida politics.
The cynical approach to COVID-19 by Ron DeSantis
Ron DeSantis pursued a cynical and political approach to handling COVID-19 in Florida. He prioritized protecting older and wealthier populations by ensuring they received vaccines first, strategically partnering with Publix, a supermarket chain mainly accessible to wealthier white communities. He downplayed the significance of COVID-19, encouraged people to take treatments rather than focusing on prevention, and prohibited mask mandates in schools. His approach created a false perception that Florida was a paradise free from COVID-19 restrictions, appealing to individuals frustrated with closures and gaining support in certain demographics.
Ron DeSantis' lack of charisma and political success
While Ron DeSantis was seen by some as a potential successor to Donald Trump due to his alignment with certain policies, he lacks the same charisma and communication skills that made Trump a unique political figure. DeSantis failed to generate the same excitement and following, even among fellow Republicans in Florida. Unlike Trump, who could be amusing and engaging, DeSantis struggled to connect with people and seemed to dislike them. This lack of appeal and uninspiring character will likely limit his political success beyond Florida.
Understanding the Republican Party's ideological bankruptcy
The Republican Party currently grapples with ideological bankruptcy and a lack of clear governing vision. Many Republican politicians rely on attention and media coverage rather than offering tangible policies or solutions. They often resort to cultural wars and divisive strategies to distract from the party's lack of a substantive agenda. Additionally, the party has focused on reducing taxes and regulations, but even this policy platform is losing steam. The absence of a coherent vision and the reliance on attention-seeking tactics hamper the Republican Party in successfully governing.
The challenging dynamics of the Democratic Party
The Democratic Party faces its own challenges due to its diverse and coalition-driven nature. With a wide range of constituents, including different ethnicities, age groups, and ideological backgrounds, Democrats must navigate a complex political landscape to find common ground. While there are policy agreements within the party, such as supporting healthcare and gun reform, there is also internal diversity and disagreement. This diversity poses challenges in achieving unity, but it also reflects the party's commitment to coalition politics and inclusive representation.
We’re happy to share a recording of the second half of our double header WITHpod live program in Philadelphia, which was recorded on October 16th. Our own Joy Reid joined us for the most recent tour stop to discuss her fascinating trajectory, including her years in Florida, which have given her unique insight into the state’s current culture wars. She also talks about her time working on political campaigns, the anti-CRT movement, the peril of this political moment and more.
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