Trump is avoiding debates for a reason. He's all over the place regarding what he wants to do as President, what he has done, and some of the oddballs advising him. He will probably continue to avoid the debates, but I don't think he will avoid this basic issue. It will dog him. Thus DeSantis still has an opening. The latter's problem is charisma.
I dont think there was ever a chance to peel off a single member of the Trump cult. Ron's chance, and he still has one, is to consolidate the support of the non cult members of the GOP and hope it exceeds the support of the cult. The only way this would be possible is to expose Trump as the lunatic he actually is and demonstrate how DeSantis would succeed both as a candidate and a president through skill talent and ability. Instead he chose to try to convince the cult that Trump isn't Trumpy enough and they should choose him instead. This is a fundamental misreading of a cult of personality where by definition anything the leader does is right and anyone who criticizes or opposes the leader is bad.
it’s far to soon to view his campaign as hopeless.. Should be it’s far TOO soon to view his campaign as hopeless. Other than that, a great article.
Trump is avoiding debates for a reason. He's all over the place regarding what he wants to do as President, what he has done, and some of the oddballs advising him. He will probably continue to avoid the debates, but I don't think he will avoid this basic issue. It will dog him. Thus DeSantis still has an opening. The latter's problem is charisma.
I dont think there was ever a chance to peel off a single member of the Trump cult. Ron's chance, and he still has one, is to consolidate the support of the non cult members of the GOP and hope it exceeds the support of the cult. The only way this would be possible is to expose Trump as the lunatic he actually is and demonstrate how DeSantis would succeed both as a candidate and a president through skill talent and ability. Instead he chose to try to convince the cult that Trump isn't Trumpy enough and they should choose him instead. This is a fundamental misreading of a cult of personality where by definition anything the leader does is right and anyone who criticizes or opposes the leader is bad.