DeSantis Drops Out: What's Next? | Guest: Bob Vander Plaats | 1/22/24
Jan 22, 2024
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Bob Vander Plaats from the Family Leader joins Steve to discuss Governor DeSantis' exit from the GOP primary and what lies ahead. They also touch on topics such as the reluctance to take action against oppressive measures, the importance of the suburbs in the election, and the potential influence of RFK Jr. on the upcoming election.
The suspension of Ron DeSantis' campaign puts the 2024 election on track to be the longest general election campaign in American history, potentially exhausting voters by election day.
With DeSantis out, the Republican field is less crowded, allowing the focus to shift to the competitive Democratic primary and analyzing the strengths and weaknesses of the various Democratic candidates.
The absence of DeSantis shifts attention to other potential Republican nominees, such as Donald Trump, who may face increased scrutiny and pressure to make a decision about running.
With the general election campaign starting earlier and the potential for a longer primary season, there is a higher likelihood of a more divisive and intense campaign that candidates and campaigns need to navigate.
Deep dives
Longest general election campaign in American history
The suspension of Ron DeSantis' campaign puts the 2024 election on track to be the longest general election campaign in American history. With both candidates starting with low favorability ratings and a prolonged media saturation, voters are likely to be exhausted by election day.
Shift in focus to crowded Democratic primary
With DeSantis out, the Republican field is less crowded, allowing the focus to shift to the competitive Democratic primary. This will involve analyzing the strengths and weaknesses of the various Democratic candidates and how they will position themselves in opposition to the Republican nominee.
Increased scrutiny on potential Republican nominees
The absence of DeSantis shifts attention to other potential Republican nominees, such as Donald Trump, who may face increased scrutiny and pressure to make a decision about running. The Republican Party will now need to evaluate and choose a nominee who can energize the base and appeal to a broader electorate.
Potential for a more divisive campaign
With the general election campaign starting earlier and the potential for a longer primary season, there is a higher likelihood of a more divisive and intense campaign. The candidates and their campaigns will need to navigate the challenges of negative ads, mudslinging, and heightened polarization in order to gain the support of voters.
Trump's campaign strategy and potential debates
The podcast discusses how the Trump campaign may respond to polling declines and whether they will prioritize Biden's perceived cognitive decline in their messaging. It also questions whether there will be any debates and suggests that both parties may have reasons to avoid them, including concerns about Biden's potential glitches and the possibility of RFK Jr. gaining support. The analysis concludes that the election will be won or lost in the suburbs, but cautions that relying on siphoning off the youth or minority vote may not be a reliable strategy.
Biden as a vegetable and hiding the president
The podcast suggests that Biden's cognitive decline and potential glitches may be a focal point for the Trump campaign, although it acknowledges that this strategy did not work as expected in the 2020 election. It also speculates that Biden may make fewer public appearances and that debates may not take place, both to minimize the risk of glitches and to avoid giving the opponent an opportunity to target him. There is also a concern that RFK Jr. could siphon off support from Biden, but the potential backlash and attacks on RFK Jr. from Democrats are noted.
Breaking down the 2024 election environment
The podcast presents a list of points that may shape the election environment in 2024. These points include Trump's campaign strategy, potential debates, concerns about Joe Biden's cognitive decline, and the importance of winning the suburbs. The speaker emphasizes the unpredictability of the election, cautioning against making definitive predictions. They also express frustration with the current political climate and their intention to focus on more meaningful topics such as family, community, and making disciples.
Steve discusses Governor Ron DeSantis' exit from the GOP primary and what's next for him. Bob Vander Plaats from the Family Leader joins the program to share his thoughts. In Hour Two, Steve reveals his top 10 observations about what lies ahead in the general election.
