Given the nature of the club plan, we can probably expect to see the field thin much faster as it gets closer to Ron DeSantis launch date.
The South Carolina folks (Haley and Scott) will remain, and Asa Hutchinson is likely to hang out as the club player for Iowa, but pulling the other noise away from DeSantis will be a priority. Also, no one will enter the contest after DeSantis.
With Trump surging, Team RdS needs every part of their 20% to remain as the floor. The Big Club handlers can’t afford the optics of Ron DeSantis polling dropping further because it will make his pre-planned entry look weak and more transparent. As such, Youngkin taps out before he reaches the ring.
(Via New York Times) – Virginia’s governor is putting the presidential hoopla on ice.
Gov. Glenn Youngkin, the Republican whose surprising election in a blue-trending state set off instant talk of a presidential run, has tapped the brakes on 2024, telling advisers and donors that his sole focus is on Virginia’s legislative elections in the fall.
[…] “Listen, I didn’t write a book, and I’m not in Iowa or New Hampshire or South Carolina.” Instead, he said, he is putting his full focus on November’s statewide Virginia election, when all 140 seats in both chambers of the General Assembly are on the ballot. A decision to enter the 2024 campaign in November would be historically late, well past the first Republican debate in August.
[…] “I am wholly focused on the Commonwealth of Virginia, and I’m looking forward to these elections,’’ Mr. Youngkin said during an appearance to promote Virginia’s agricultural exports. [T]he governor, 56, said that gaining majorities in the legislature “is what this year is all about.” (read more)
It’s likely the Republican Governor’s Association (RGA) helped influence this decision.
Perhaps Younkin has a focus on doing a good job for Virginia. Trying to think of who else should follow his example.
Yeah, his announcement of not running (denouncement?) sounds like a put down of u-know-who, the way its worded.
And affirms Sundances assertion that their is a standard playbook, the donor class handlers all prescribe, when they are setting up to run.
1)megadonor bucks, behind closed doors meetings to put together handler team2) ghostwrite a book3) booktour.
Read the article on TGP, “DeSantis suffers major blow, as key GOP donor ,…”
A short, interesting read.
Some billionaire most of us have never heard of, worth $26 billion, is holding off and the reasons given are the 6 week ban on abortion law RDS signed, and the law prohibiting adult LGBTQ porn in public schools, which gives you some idea of where he/she/it is coming from.
According to the article, RDS NEEDS a cash infusion from these mega donors, because while he has $110 million in his campaign warchest, $80 million is “tied” to Florida, and can’t be spent outside the state, which I hadn’t read before.
Article says PDJT’s latest “Bragg fundraising” (my term) is up to $15 million, and RDS can NOT generate that kind of small donor contributions, lol.
Article puts RDS 31 points down, is it time for “stick a fork in him, he’s DONE!” yet?
So, as I read it, any $ RDS raised, prior to winning reelection to Gov., and now “left over” can ONLY be spent for campaigning in Florida, and yet he is term limited as Gov.
So, unless he runs for some other office IN FLORIDA, he can’t spend that $?
Just the interest on $80 million would set him up for life,..and lives of his grandchildren.
And people said he was so dumb, to throw his hat in the ring, go against PDJT, and thereby “blow his chances” for a future in politics,..maybe not so dumb, after all.
Running for POTUS, with no intention or interest in winning or serving, …quite a racket!
If Young Kim wanted to do a good job he would tell us all hes not running because Biden didnt win and Trump is the rightful President. He does in fact know this. They all do. His silence on what matters most means hes nothing other then a fraud. So sad how so many are so easily willing to accept the scraps the cabal feed us off their table.
I don’t see Virginia trailblazing in the culture wars. Youngkin is a nobody. Any Patriots out there who can replace him asap?
probably any guy that said he would finish his term if elected should do so .
Chrissy from Cow Hampshire is a classic N.E. Democrat.
RINO=Republican In Name Only=Democrat.
They are virtually ALL RINOS, except Vivisectionist Raswany, who is a splitter (hence “vivisectionist”) and of coarse is being backed BY the anti-Trump RINO’S and PDJT.
The RNC/GOPe missed their only possible “window” for blocking DJT, in 2016.
If they had used the “dilution approach” the Dems deployed against Sanders, in 2020 they MIGHT have had a shot.
EVERY candidate would have been a splitter “vivisectionist” parroting exactly all of DJT’s policy positions, thereby diluting his support.
But, they couldn’t do that, and its too late now. After PDJT actually having SERVED as POTUS, and with his “promises made, promises kept” first term, ANYONE they put up against PDJT looks like a kid, wanting seating at the adult table.
The article above SAYS this billionare is wanting to finance an anti-Trump campaign because of ‘culture war, social issues’ but I suspect thats at least partially b.s.
As Sundance regularly points out, “Trillions are at stake”, PDJT’s economic policies take $ away from the billionaires, and shift it to Main Street, and THATS why these billionaires are spending their $, desperate to find any way to prevent a second Term.
I find it hard to imagine a billionaire sitting up nights, worried about an abortion law ban, or LBGTQ books in public schools (especially about them being BANNED from schools)!
However, seeing a second Trump term as cutting off their revenue stream,..eliminating all of the advantages they have exploited, to create that #26 billion in the first place,..? Yeah, THAT could keep them up nights, and motivate them to spend SOME of their $, as an “investment” to protect their business model.
According to the article, it was this billionaire, that said his reasoning for holding off on financing RDS, was because of these “culture issues”; no way to know if its TRUE. This is an example of how THEY use “culture issues” as a smokescreen.
And, if it IS true, it shows how the BIGGEST RNC/GOPe donor has views which couldn’t get him elected dogcatcher (by the base) funding Republican candidates based on their support of such views. No wonder the RNC is so f*cked up.
That’s a misread on everyone who runs for office. We want additional maga voices on the stage in debates. Candidates like VR are not there to take votes from trump they’re there to raise their visibility and be part of the discourse. Win or lose trump is gone after 24. We need more not less maga voices.
We need AUTHENTIC MAGA voices beyond 2024, NOT fakes.
And, 2022 midterms demonstrated, despite the “hype” and multi-level psy-op, we HAVE a whole host of younger, AUTHENTIC MAGA voices, moving into the “officer corps” ranks of the MAGA army, and insuring MAGA movement survives for generations to come.
Frankly, your argument sounds awfully similar to those who were argueing RDS “is the future of MAGA, Trumps heir apperent, and obvious VP choice” before RDS had even won reelection, and who never MENTION “Trump in a skirt” Kari Lake, who in fact IS authentic, who IS the obvious “heir apperent” and “future leader of MAGA”.
Sorry, go home and try it again, no sale.
So you missed all of the splitter strategy lessons here?
well he will be gone after 2028
I wonder if pointing that detail about the billionaires “protecting their revenue stream ” could be loudly and very publically disected to put the sunlight right smack where it will do the most good ?
Its the billionaires versus Trump. They don’t need more money. We need a strong country.
https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2023/04/ron-desantis-suffers-major-blow-as-key-gop-donor-says-plans-to-help-finance-desantiss-likely-white-house-campaign-are-on-hold/
Ouchie !!!! That hurt Meatball !!!!
The excuse they are giving is that he is “too culturally conservative.”
LOL – Even the donors think his focus on the gheys is a bit much..
There’s not a single SQUARE that could assist in garnering votes for the outside enemies of President Trump.
Nearly all of these hat tosses come out of the South. Donald Trump is ‘king’ of the south, the Midwest and most of the south west and the south east.
As far as his closest competitor, Rhonna Derumpus, what reason could possibly exist for any of this brood of vipers to run? I only see them as hoping to peel a few votes from our President. Even if they all run there’s not enough enthusiasm or moxie to diminish Trumps advantage.
I’m almost starting to think the RNC and the GOPe are hoodwinking deRumpus to get him out of Florida.
If he is that dumb then he doesn’t belong to lead Florida. Put Matt Gaetz in.
Donald the Magnificent should, IMHO, immediately name Kari Lake as his running partner. She’s by far the most
impressive verbal combatant (vs msm and assorted devils) to appear on the scene since…..well Mr. 45 himself.
Her dueling with others will lighten the load, as far as DJT’s participation, for awhile anyway. This will give him
time to properly devise an “anti-California devils” modus operandi. Reminding those that may not have comprehension
issues that the country has been flat out molested by Schiff, Pelosi, Harris, a not well disguised Newsom, Feinstein,
etc etc ad infinitum I believe can gain major traction. Especially if Sir Donald and his peeps can present CONCRETE
(not manufactured or severely exaggerated) evidence that China holds STRONG sway with those named, and the
overall state of Cali, and it’s not showing any signs of lessening that paid-to-play octopus strength grip.
Stop.
She couldn’t overcome AZ deep state, she will get eaten alive by DC.
Kari Lake’s heart may be in the right place but she is not the next in line.
I agree. I also think she is delusional if she thinks she can run for US Senate in AZ. The election theft machine in AZ/Maricopa County, including lack of support from the RNC/GOPe, is even worse now and the courts are corrupt. I think Jim Jordan would be a great running mate for Trump and help him continue to clean out the DC swamp. Lake needs to prove she can win an election on her own, despite the corruption thrown her way.
Jim Jordan is not effective. I hope Trump doesn’t pick Pompeo.
A couple of my opinionated points: Hoping to draw any/all of DC Club Squares into declaring a running mate.
That can only be a Club/Club combo. No matter which person DJT picks it will still be a back half clubbie.
Instead of DJT engineering more hatred (if that’s even possible) why not add a 2nd participant? I’m
really quite tired of a meek, roll over slug in the VP nominee slot. I prefer a very sharp elbow thrower like Lake
(actually understated) who will not only eviscerate an opponent/enemy but will smear their face with a certain
brownish substance that ALL libs/dems crave so as to refill their dna. As the victorious “face painter” walks
away—he/she/it turns and says “that’s the best you’ll ever be treated by me or my staff”.
Well, first off while I agree in spirit with SS’s initial comment of this thread, as a point of order, a Candidate for POTUS, by club rules and tradition, does NOT name their running mate, its consudered presumptuous, bad form and actually assumes an authority the candidate does not HAVE.
AFTER they recieve the Nomination in reality if not in ceremony (after the last primary, but before the Convention, and assuming its clear they won) THEN the nominee and the party ‘negotiate’ with (usually) the party “allowing” the nominee to pick, but retaining veto authority over any VP pick.
Hence, PDJT simply can NOT officially announce KL, or anyone else for that matter, as his VP pick until AFTER the nomination.
That said, the above posts denigrating KL certainly SOUND exactly like the “political wisdom” we will no doubt hear, from many RNC/GOPe political mouthpieces, regarding KL.
IMHO, there are two flash points between the RNC and PDJT; One, will they try to use the excuse (indictments) provided by their DEM comrades, to deny him the nomination?
Two, will the RNC attempt to dictate to him a “short list” of possible VP’s who are all Pence 2.0.
PDJT would be NUTS to take ANY name on that list, as his VP, and the RNC would be NUTS to agree to his choice (which logically IMHO IS KL.)
HOW these two issues are resolved, IS what 2024 POTUS Campaign “is all about” IMHO,…ALL else is just chaff and countermeasures.
It’s not denigrating Lake to live here in the land of Realville and point out that she lost and is the governor of nothing, stolen election or not.
You have to have somebody somewhat credible.
If we’re just picking anybody who happens to be good on issues why not pick from any of a hundred here on the Treehouse? Most of whom are more likeable than Kari Lake. They have as much electoral credibility as she does.
She brings nothing to the table. She can’t even deliver Arizona. What good is she? She’s feisty and MAGA and not elected to anything.
That’s not helping.
Separately: {{She couldn’t overcome AZ deep state}} this deep state is but a branch office as was the Trump
removal project. In approx. 2000 a ‘company’ enthusiast named John Zidich was dispatched to a new posting
in Phoenix. He was both the Publisher of the perfect vehicle to turn AZ purple=Arizona Republic Newspaper=
and the General Manager of local Phoenix NBC. One of his paper’s first conquests was the complete sweeping
away of law and order Sheriff Joe Arpaio. How dare he uphold the law and show concern for illegal migration!
Other Arizona conquest like moments:2016 little willie Clinton just happens to be on the airport runway in case
Loretta Lynch needed a 10 minute smoke break. Jump to 2020 and again that state is the go-to for devil
activity which was salaciously celebrated by fox”news” in an instant election night call that ended with a
10,000+ vote difference. In 2024 they should have ChatGPT make all election calls. It’ll probably short out
and catch fire as the numbers start inverting. Finally 2022 and just as that lumpy troglodyte in Pennsylvania
was paid off for his assistance with shenanigans….so too was Hobbs. She was unbeatable while in pay-her-back mode. Therefore AZ was/is impenetrable, as it sits, thus Kari Lake actually accomplished much more
than advertised. Certainly enough to dwarf the eunuchs that will step forward in near-future elections and “take the high road” whilst being erased. Lastly in my presented scenario you would have 2 very-very strong willed fighters who have recently seen their soul pilfered by devils. Just maybe they can properly calibrate a double dose of overwhelming and smothering scorched earth responses.
So would “next in line” be people like Romney and McCain when they ran for President? Because, you know, “it was their turn”?
Don’t be ridiculous. We are talking about somebody who can seriously come in and take over MAGA after President Trump. Who? Not the non-governor of Arizona that’s for sure. Maybe the Senator from Ohio.
Somebody wake me when Kari Lake wins something. Otherwise she may as well be a poster here. There’s plenty of fellow Treepers I would support before I’d support Kari Lake.
You may as well put Xs through all 15 opponent boxes, now.
I do like Vivek, though. I wouldn’t mind seeing him as DJT’s VP.
I believe you’ll find Ramaswamy’s actions don’t match his rhetoric.
Research!
I wondered about that.
GOPe know-it-alls were saying similar things about the Trumpster in 2015.
“Trumpster”??
I have never seen or heard a MAGA supporter of PDJT use that term, either to refer to PDJT, or to refer to his supporters,..wasn’t that in your briefing manual?
“Trumpster” circled and with a line through it?
sheesh!
you should read more he has been called Trumpster on several sites .
It’s so hilarious about Youngkin and the “model” the RINO GOP is trying to say to use from Virginia/Youngkin. Newsflash it didn’t matter if it was Glenn Greenwald or Roger Rabbit that were the GOP nominee the parents were not voting for Democrat in that election. The GOP did not win Virginia, the democrats lost it.
A little bit of both. Youngkin had enough political instincts to grab onto the parent movement and has been a decent governor in an increasingly blue state. Youngkin threaded the needle to bring in enough squishy republicans in NOVA where I live while benefiting from record turn out from maga in rural VA
Real funny RINO Greg Abbott is on the grid since he failed to protect Texas from an “invasion” of illegals into his state. He was all hat, no cattle. I sympathize with his disability, but he doesn’t have a “leg” to stand on!
much more hilarious about Abbot on the grid when he knows damn well that Biden Didnt Win and Trump is the rightful President.
He “made a declaration of invasion” and then did absolutely NOTHING with it, only after KL’s election was stolen from her, in order to dilute (in APPEARANCE) that move by a Governor.
“I’m sending NG to the BORDER” he said. Actually already HAD NG at the border, handing out water and blankets to the illegas.
Such a declaration enables State Governors powers normally reserved to the Fed Govt. SUCH AS imposing TARIFFS on all imports, which the mere threat of, could have brought back the mexican military.
KL WOULD have done this, which is WHY they HAD to do the steal, even if it WAS obvious. They had no choice; just like PDJT in 2020 they could not allow either to be declared the winner.
Yeah, uniparty fraud cabal targets the critical and all MAGA races which will keep their power and influence in place. They left Florida alone completely in the midterms to achieve a natural result to promote DeSantis. Similar results to FL would have occurred in AZ and GA as well if the election/results were not manipulated.
Who have Trump’s potential rivals endorsed in the past?
Mike Pence- Endorsed Ted Cruz in the 2016 primaries; switched to Trump only after he won the nomination. Ran as Trump’s running mate in both 2016 and 2020.
Glenn Youngkin- Endorsement history unclear; he only came on the political scene in 2021.
Larry Hogan- Endorsed Chris Christie in the 2016 primaries; NeverTrump in both 2016 and 2020.
Chris Sununu- Unclear if he supported Trump in 2016; his brother endorsed John Kasich in the primaries but switched to Trump once he won the nomination. Supported Trump in 2020.
Tim Scott- Endorsed Marco Rubio in the 2016 primaries; switched to Trump only after he won the nomination. Supported Trump in 2020.
Mike Pompeo- Endorsed Marco Rubio in the 2016 primaries; switched to Trump only after he won the nomination. Supported Trump in 2020.
Nikki Haley- Endorsed Marco Rubio in the 2016 primaries; switched to Ted Cruz after Rubio dropped out; switched to Trump only after he won the nomination. Supported Trump in 2020.
Ted Cruz- Ran against Trump in 2016; initially was NeverTrump in the general but changed his mind at the last minute. Supported Trump in 2020.
Kristi Noem- Endorsed Marco Rubio in the 2016 primaries; switched to Trump only after he won the nomination. Supported Trump in 2020.
Asa Hutchinson- Endorsed Mike Huckabee in the 2016 primaries; switched to Marco Rubio after Huckabee dropped out; switched to Trump only after he won the nomination. Supported Trump in 2020.
Vivek Ramaswamy- Endorsement history unclear; he only came on the political scene in 2021.
Ron DeSantis- Stayed neutral in the 2016 primaries; endorsed Trump only after he won the nomination. Supported Trump in 2020.
Francis Suarez- Stayed neutral in the 2016 primaries; was NeverTrump in the general and even endorsed Hillary Clinton. Supported Trump in 2020.
Greg Abbott- Endorsed Ted Cruz in the 2016 primaries; switched to Trump only after he won the nomination. Supported Trump in 2020.
Chris Christie- Ran against Trump in the 2016 primaries; endorsed Trump after dropping out. Supported Trump in 2020.
I keep hearing Trump supporters saying DeSatan should wait until 2028 to run. Why? In 2028, DeSatan is still going to be a grifting RINO NWO globalist. A tiger cannot change its stripes. Florida can do better.
I met Vivek today and listened to him at a town hall. He’s worth a look Sundance. Real deal
Then he should wait until 2028.
Also hard pass on Vivek in 2028 unless India elects someone named Donald in the meantime.
2024 will be Trump’s last run. The smart Republican Governors will sit this out, let all the noise subside, and run in 2028. Youngkin is being smart here. DeSantis should do the same if was really MAGA. But he won’t. Because he’s controlled by Jeb, Paul, and Rove.
LOL!
Get ready to cross off another one, Sundance!!
https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2023/04/ron-desantis-suffers-major-blow-as-key-gop-donor-says-plans-to-help-finance-desantiss-likely-white-house-campaign-are-on-hold/