Posted on 07/18/2026 5:34:53 AM PDT by MtnClimber
Florida’s next governor needs a stress test, not a coronation.
A few days ago, I posited that St. Pete Beach in Florida is showing signs of strain, hinting at a lack of the resilience that was once part of its fabric. Given that hurricanes are inevitable, I worried that its general inability to cope with even minimal pressure put it at risk of collapse in the event of another natural disaster.
Some commenters thought I was exaggerating a bad restaurant experience and overextending it. It’s worth taking that criticism seriously because the objection shows that I failed to make myself clear.
I wasn’t claiming that a tight parking lot and cold fries add up to a verdict on the entire state, nor was I calling St. Pete Beach unlivable. Instead, I was arguing that a community’s standards—the small, unglamorous commitments to safety, accessibility, and basic care for the people you serve—are the first things to erode when an economy is stretched thin.
A restaurant cutting corners on parking striping and food quality isn’t a scandal. It’s a symptom. And symptoms are worth naming precisely because they’re small enough to dismiss and common enough to matter.
I spent a decade in a volunteer uniform enforcing exactly this kind of compliance for the City of Fort Lauderdale—the invisible scaffolding that keeps a community functioning for everyone, not just the people who can squeeze through a two-inch gap. I don’t think that standard should apply only to the public sector while the commercial sector gets a pass because the economy is tight and everyone’s in a hurry.
The public deserves better from both. If pointing that out counts as handing ammunition to the other side, the problem isn’t the observation—it’s how little tolerance we’ve built for anyone noticing that things are fraying
(Excerpt) Read more at americanthinker.com ...
Good governor...but...was nameless in the Rep primary for governor when he first ran until Trump endorsed him, AND he still almost lost to Gillum...less than 1%. He inherited a strong R majority legislature which makes it easier to govern, especially during MAGA time. Stepped on his appendage when he let his popularity for his 2nd term victory go to his head and followed bad advice and tried to run against Trump in the 2024 primary...that hurt him tremendously w/ MAGA...then talking about supporting his wife to run for governor after him. DeSantis has good qualities, reading the room is not one of them. Coming from a R state that is increasing the number of R voters (some credit to DeSantis, mostly to awful blue states that are driving center and right leaning voters to FL) with a strong R legislature is no way similar to the national stage with a Congress that nearly split, as is the populace, and the media establishment hates you, he doesn’t have the chops to take that on...yet. Hope he grows into it or he’ll be eaten up and spit out in the primary.
This is true, but R registrations has rocketed in the last 10+ years in FL...it is a solid red state with some blue warts in the cities and/or university towns.
That is a very good summary. Can’t argue with any of your points. Gillum was a smooth talker who needed to be exposed beforehand like Spencer Pratner wasn’t. A strong R majority. I think he could very well have a GOP majority should he be in the WH. That ‘24 run will hopefully humble him as it was a stupid move. Losses are good learning experiences. Reading the room-ya got me there but he speaks well and doesn’t give an inch to the party’s enemies. Look at how he did against hair gel. I’m hoping to see him do the same with other democrats long before the election. That would be an early opportunity to expose those naive enough to think they can take him on. Put up the challenge and see who backs down. It would be like exhibition season in baseball. Cut all the bad players or send them back down for more seasoning. As for the media establishment I’m sure he’s up to the task. He’s the nations’ best governor even though the MSM will not acknowledge it.
I’d be awesome.
I’ll probably campaign for him if he runs. His opponents are not on his executive experience level. I’m convinced he made a deal with Trump in ‘24 to smoke out Trump’s enemies.
You make good points, too...and I need to give him some breathing room...mistakes should make us stronger...hopefully he gets better campaign advice, and he has done well with the limited bumps against the national media...but, notwithstanding COVID, he was running against Trump...a bigger bogeyman in the media’s book than DeSantis was. The only other caveat is his children are young...not a great environment to go through as young children but I think Ron’s, and especially Casey’s desire for higher office may determine that.
“lots of people died and harmed on his watch”
Was he their babysitter? Their nursemaid? Was it his job to “take care” of them?
Honestly.
Probably not. But he'll be fine as a Congressman (right now) or move up to the Senate gig.
DeSantis was in the military and Trump was the CEO of a corporation so that gives you the executive skills you need to run a state.
DeSantis was a JAG officer, not sure there’s much management training or experience in that. Still he’s doing an excellent job!
Obviously he got that from somewhere.
Much of it is just common sense! He seems to have that in abundance. In the past his public political skills seemed low not at the necessary level for presidential politics. That’s changing. I think!
You are a bitter old person. Good grief. Mommy didn’t tell you she loved you enough?
??????
I recall DeSantis being given kudos for his leadership and management of disaster response during hurricanes. But it sounds like you’re saying that he was an inept failure during hurricanes.
“he still almost lost to Gillum...less than 1%.”
If you can’t tell me why that was, it tells me you know very little about Florida and it’s politics.
Do you even live here?
40+ yrs…you?
And I have a couple of family members in politics/elected office in FL including legislature. Again, you?
Been here 60+
Then you must know why the election with Guillaum was so close.
Spit it out
Because DeSantis was not a strong candidate at that time, needed Trump’s endorsement to pull him across the finish line, and Gillum had the Florida media backing.
Because DeSantis was not a strong candidate at that time, needed Trump’s endorsement to pull him across the finish line, and Gillum had the Florida media backing.
I can’t stand that Trump endorsed Byron Donalds. I will never ever vote for this RINO, even if it means voting for someone worse on the other side or staying home. It makes me sick to see what lays ahead for Florida.
For the primary, though, I don’t know who to vote for. I wish Republicans would stop trying to dilute the vote by running multiple similar candidates; it seems to get us slop more often than not.
So who should I vote for?
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