Yesterday, I spent a wonderful day with my son and stepson, which included going to watch the LA Dodgers and New York Yankees game at Dodger Stadium. As a result, I didn’t have time to write a new essay today, but I didn’t want to miss acknowledging one of the greatest tragedies of the 20th century.
Thanks for bringing focus to DeSantis. His rude, sarcastic and mean ,”are you stupid” comment he made to a reporter who asked, why he didn’t take questions after a speech clearly brings clarity to his character or lack of the same. He has no wit, no imagination, no sense of humor. This is not a good foundation for a leader of a democracy. This should be a huge red flag for voters who value democracy. Regrettably it is the type of comment; mean, scared and narrow minded voters eat up.
Jun 5, 2023·edited Jun 5, 2023Liked by Steve Schmidt
"The confusion, fear and humiliation inflicted on real human beings by Ron DeSantis was very real. He lacks mercy. He lacks judgement. He lacks temperament. He lacks decency. He lacks patriotism."
He Lacks.
On another note, did anyone here his wife speak the other day. Sounds like she should be the one running for Pres.. He looked like a whipped puppy; now I know why he looks like he does.
As I read this my first thought was the Dion song Abraham, Martin and John. The final verse was about Bobby
The other thought was a clip from yesterday and DeSantis telling a voter they were too stupid to understand him.
Who should lead- those who lift or those who belittle. No, those Bobby spoke to had not read the Greek classics, but Bobby knew how to apply them to those around him.
I think there are those ready to provide the Bobby type of leadership We saw them in Tennessee. We see them in the House fighting against MAGA.
Perhaps Bobby’s legacy isn’t lost so much as it is spread out for others to carry
I was only 11 when King and RFK were assassinated, but the feeling I remember was that the world was coming apart at the seams. I'll never forget standing in my driveway staring at the headline of the LA Times and not being able to comprehend what I was reading and looking up and down an empty street for help. Steve nails today's R politics, DeSantis' petty tyranny. No longer confined to dog-whistles, they are literally attacking fellow Americans for the nerve of disagreeing with them.
I had just turned 15. It was the end of 10th grade. I remember my French teacher, Mrs. Battle, who happened to be Black (this wasn't long after integration, in NC) and looking at each other, stunned. "What comes next?" I whispered. She just shook her head.
But in a perverse way, DeSantis is the perfect Republican candidate right now. He is arrogant, angry, incredibly cruel and vindictive, and those are exactly the qualities that "the base" now wants. There is no interest at all in governing for ALL of the people--there is only catering to that base and making sure that said base is motivated to go out and vote every election. That is exactly what DeSantis is doing now, and what Trump has been doing for eight years.
Let's not forget what happened in China 34 years ago, today: the Tiananmen Square Massacre, which ended all hope that any sort of democracy lay ahead for China. The leader at that time was Deng Xiaoping. Unrest among young people had brought the Communist party to a breaking point, and Deng had two choices. (1) Allow democracy in China; or (2) permit capitalism in China. He chose the latter -- thus the many Chinese billionaires today, unheard of in those days. [The Massacre actually occurred on June 4, but was not reported in the U.S. until June 5.]
I believe the planet lost something we will never see again when John Kennedy was murdered. The country, even the world, has never been the same. But there was hope when Robert Kennedy emerged and was on his way to the presidency. It was late and I remember shutting off the TV after his short acknowledgement of his primary win in California. And when I got up in the morning to the terrible news of his assassination, though he hung on to life briefly, the die was caste, hope was lost. The living American conscience of MLK had also been lost. Everything was lost and nowhere was it made more clear than on looking back to the night of MLK's murder and the courageous, compassionate, consoling words of Robert Kennedy in a sample of what might have been but will never be.
How well I remember that feeling of despair, as if all good things were over and darkness was descending. I was 10 when JFK died. Learning the news is seared into my brain.
Yes those were excellent speeches. Glad you brought them up. I once met Bobby Kennedy when I was supporting the farmworkers up in Delano. He was a chrismatic person who came across as person of conviction. Of course some of the most eliquent speeches were given by Martin Luther. Talk about extemperaneous speaking, he was the best. All of them right up there with the Gettysberg speech. I also include Adam Shiff's Midnight in Washington speech. That was one I'll never forget.
Hope you had good seat at Dodger's stadium. That's my favorite MLB park.
Thanks for the juxtaposition of opposites, a contrast that is remarkable in every sense.
Soaring good and devastating malignancy are both pervasive- it is the dynamic within society that situates these elements and assigns them relative value. Make no mistake that the majority, now proudly awakening, we of the genetically favorable Woke Mind Virus, will marginalize the darkness.
It is a great contrast between the two men. One died for his idealism and the other, DeSantis is trying to slash and burn the most sacred ideals in America for the sake of political power for himself.
Steve, you major point in my view is that DeSantis is “UNFIT” to be a leader! Neither is Trump! Leaders pull people together, not divide them for self-serving purposes! The speeches by RFK and Dr. King are still inspiring!
Have I not been clear enough on my views about Trump being unfit too 😊DeSantis just happened to be who I talked about in this September 2022 essay that I reposted because of that egregious stunt he pulled in Martha’s Vineyard.
And today is the second day in less than a week that migrants were flown to Sacramento, via a circuitous route through Texas and NM, and dropped off at a church unannounced. California is now investigating and looking to charge criminally those who dd this. The all seemed to have originating documents from Florida.
I'm a Navy Veteran (Carrier Aviation, EA-6B NFO off the Midway, Constellation and America) and I'm embarrassed every time someone mentions that DudSantis was a Navy JAG. He is an absolute piece of trash. Someone needs to stuff a piece of humble pie down his throat, why in the name of all that is holy does he think he can treat people the way he does. Accomplished people I know are gracious, not condescending, what has DudSantis accomplished.....nothing. Here's hoping Chris Christy lays waste to tRump and DudS
Nicely done Steve. The contrast between the fear mongers of today, and the great statesmen of the past, couldn’t be more stark. How the lust for supremacy of one race over another, one theology over another, one gender preference over another, continues to darken our path and prevents us collectively from moving forward. One can only imagine how different this country would be but for the untimely death of Lincoln, JFK, MLK and RFK. It gave us Andrew Johnson, LBJ, Richard Nixon and their legacies. Only LBJ stood the test of time. On a trip to Memphis a few years ago I had the good fortune to visit Beale Street, the Lorraine motel and museum, and Graceland. I felt like I was in a wondrous machine, some of it magical, and some of it horrific. My ferverent wish is that the young people leading the next generation can see most clearly what is required to truly make this a more perfect union.
Not an RFK fan. Here is a speech HHH delivered at the 1948 Democratic Convention in support of civil rights. HHH was a great American and would have made a great President. Also, he wasn't a family friend of Joseph McCarthy. https://youtu.be/8nwIdIUVFm4
My father never forgave RFK for jumping into the 1968 Presidential race. Eugene McCarthy, whom he respected greatly, was leading in the polls. Months into the process, RFK decided to throw his hat into the ring. My father saw this as a cynical move. RFK's explanation was that LBJ was "insensitive" about racial issues. "On February 29, 1968, the Kerner Commission issued a report on the racial unrest that had affected American cities during the previous summer. The Kerner Commission blamed 'white racism' for the violence, but its findings were largely dismissed by the Johnson administration. Concerned about President Johnson's policies and actions", RFK entered the Democratic primaries. That completely buried the fact that LBJ was the greatest force of Civil Rights in the U.S. since Abraham Lincoln. (Following up on your article from yesterday!)
Do you listen to "Just Between Us," the Bulwark podcast with Charlie Sykes and Mona Charen? This surprised the hell out of me, but both Charlie and Mona's parents were big Eugene McCarthy supporters. Isn't that wild?! Mine voted for HHH. I had been thinking of writing you back, "We're all our parents' children," but not in the case of Mona and Charlie apparently.
Very interesting! Yes, we do absorb a lot of our parents' political views. Having said that, both of my parents were children of Republicans. I think their choices to become liberal Democrats were not a form of rebellion, but rather well-thought out decisions.
Thanks for bringing focus to DeSantis. His rude, sarcastic and mean ,”are you stupid” comment he made to a reporter who asked, why he didn’t take questions after a speech clearly brings clarity to his character or lack of the same. He has no wit, no imagination, no sense of humor. This is not a good foundation for a leader of a democracy. This should be a huge red flag for voters who value democracy. Regrettably it is the type of comment; mean, scared and narrow minded voters eat up.
We can stop the arrogant bastard in his tracks with just a little effort! Go Blue!!
Thank you Steve
Right On. Enough.
"The confusion, fear and humiliation inflicted on real human beings by Ron DeSantis was very real. He lacks mercy. He lacks judgement. He lacks temperament. He lacks decency. He lacks patriotism."
He Lacks.
On another note, did anyone here his wife speak the other day. Sounds like she should be the one running for Pres.. He looked like a whipped puppy; now I know why he looks like he does.
His picture of him as a guard at Guantanamo tells it all. He got into trouble ( slightly) while there for abuse of prisoners!
As I read this my first thought was the Dion song Abraham, Martin and John. The final verse was about Bobby
The other thought was a clip from yesterday and DeSantis telling a voter they were too stupid to understand him.
Who should lead- those who lift or those who belittle. No, those Bobby spoke to had not read the Greek classics, but Bobby knew how to apply them to those around him.
I think there are those ready to provide the Bobby type of leadership We saw them in Tennessee. We see them in the House fighting against MAGA.
Perhaps Bobby’s legacy isn’t lost so much as it is spread out for others to carry
I was only 11 when King and RFK were assassinated, but the feeling I remember was that the world was coming apart at the seams. I'll never forget standing in my driveway staring at the headline of the LA Times and not being able to comprehend what I was reading and looking up and down an empty street for help. Steve nails today's R politics, DeSantis' petty tyranny. No longer confined to dog-whistles, they are literally attacking fellow Americans for the nerve of disagreeing with them.
I had just turned 15. It was the end of 10th grade. I remember my French teacher, Mrs. Battle, who happened to be Black (this wasn't long after integration, in NC) and looking at each other, stunned. "What comes next?" I whispered. She just shook her head.
So glad to know you were in NC too. I don’t feel so alone today knowing you were there too.
But in a perverse way, DeSantis is the perfect Republican candidate right now. He is arrogant, angry, incredibly cruel and vindictive, and those are exactly the qualities that "the base" now wants. There is no interest at all in governing for ALL of the people--there is only catering to that base and making sure that said base is motivated to go out and vote every election. That is exactly what DeSantis is doing now, and what Trump has been doing for eight years.
We don’t need a pseudo Trump..or anything close enough. Let their base figure it out 🤬
Thank you for highlighting what DeSantis is about. I’m waiting for Trump to destroy him on the debate stage. The second coming of JFK he is not.
Who do you want to shine on the GOP stage? Who will? Destroying another won’t show leadership; just more hate.
Let's not forget what happened in China 34 years ago, today: the Tiananmen Square Massacre, which ended all hope that any sort of democracy lay ahead for China. The leader at that time was Deng Xiaoping. Unrest among young people had brought the Communist party to a breaking point, and Deng had two choices. (1) Allow democracy in China; or (2) permit capitalism in China. He chose the latter -- thus the many Chinese billionaires today, unheard of in those days. [The Massacre actually occurred on June 4, but was not reported in the U.S. until June 5.]
I believe the planet lost something we will never see again when John Kennedy was murdered. The country, even the world, has never been the same. But there was hope when Robert Kennedy emerged and was on his way to the presidency. It was late and I remember shutting off the TV after his short acknowledgement of his primary win in California. And when I got up in the morning to the terrible news of his assassination, though he hung on to life briefly, the die was caste, hope was lost. The living American conscience of MLK had also been lost. Everything was lost and nowhere was it made more clear than on looking back to the night of MLK's murder and the courageous, compassionate, consoling words of Robert Kennedy in a sample of what might have been but will never be.
How well I remember that feeling of despair, as if all good things were over and darkness was descending. I was 10 when JFK died. Learning the news is seared into my brain.
Yes those were excellent speeches. Glad you brought them up. I once met Bobby Kennedy when I was supporting the farmworkers up in Delano. He was a chrismatic person who came across as person of conviction. Of course some of the most eliquent speeches were given by Martin Luther. Talk about extemperaneous speaking, he was the best. All of them right up there with the Gettysberg speech. I also include Adam Shiff's Midnight in Washington speech. That was one I'll never forget.
Hope you had good seat at Dodger's stadium. That's my favorite MLB park.
We had great seats and a great time!
Steve
Thanks for the juxtaposition of opposites, a contrast that is remarkable in every sense.
Soaring good and devastating malignancy are both pervasive- it is the dynamic within society that situates these elements and assigns them relative value. Make no mistake that the majority, now proudly awakening, we of the genetically favorable Woke Mind Virus, will marginalize the darkness.
It is a great contrast between the two men. One died for his idealism and the other, DeSantis is trying to slash and burn the most sacred ideals in America for the sake of political power for himself.
Steve, you major point in my view is that DeSantis is “UNFIT” to be a leader! Neither is Trump! Leaders pull people together, not divide them for self-serving purposes! The speeches by RFK and Dr. King are still inspiring!
John,
Have I not been clear enough on my views about Trump being unfit too 😊DeSantis just happened to be who I talked about in this September 2022 essay that I reposted because of that egregious stunt he pulled in Martha’s Vineyard.
Steve
And today is the second day in less than a week that migrants were flown to Sacramento, via a circuitous route through Texas and NM, and dropped off at a church unannounced. California is now investigating and looking to charge criminally those who dd this. The all seemed to have originating documents from Florida.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/california-law-enforcement-intercepted-a-second-plane-in-sacramento-carrying-relocated-migrants-as-desantis-remains-mum-about-his-involvement/ar-AA1cam3T?ocid=msedgntp&cvid=2da4e1e5bc944fa98d214ee8c01973b1&ei=10
Just awful.
Steve
I'm a Navy Veteran (Carrier Aviation, EA-6B NFO off the Midway, Constellation and America) and I'm embarrassed every time someone mentions that DudSantis was a Navy JAG. He is an absolute piece of trash. Someone needs to stuff a piece of humble pie down his throat, why in the name of all that is holy does he think he can treat people the way he does. Accomplished people I know are gracious, not condescending, what has DudSantis accomplished.....nothing. Here's hoping Chris Christy lays waste to tRump and DudS
I miss candidates who are orators. We only get nonsensical gibberish out of most candidates these days.
Nicely done Steve. The contrast between the fear mongers of today, and the great statesmen of the past, couldn’t be more stark. How the lust for supremacy of one race over another, one theology over another, one gender preference over another, continues to darken our path and prevents us collectively from moving forward. One can only imagine how different this country would be but for the untimely death of Lincoln, JFK, MLK and RFK. It gave us Andrew Johnson, LBJ, Richard Nixon and their legacies. Only LBJ stood the test of time. On a trip to Memphis a few years ago I had the good fortune to visit Beale Street, the Lorraine motel and museum, and Graceland. I felt like I was in a wondrous machine, some of it magical, and some of it horrific. My ferverent wish is that the young people leading the next generation can see most clearly what is required to truly make this a more perfect union.
Not an RFK fan. Here is a speech HHH delivered at the 1948 Democratic Convention in support of civil rights. HHH was a great American and would have made a great President. Also, he wasn't a family friend of Joseph McCarthy. https://youtu.be/8nwIdIUVFm4
My father never forgave RFK for jumping into the 1968 Presidential race. Eugene McCarthy, whom he respected greatly, was leading in the polls. Months into the process, RFK decided to throw his hat into the ring. My father saw this as a cynical move. RFK's explanation was that LBJ was "insensitive" about racial issues. "On February 29, 1968, the Kerner Commission issued a report on the racial unrest that had affected American cities during the previous summer. The Kerner Commission blamed 'white racism' for the violence, but its findings were largely dismissed by the Johnson administration. Concerned about President Johnson's policies and actions", RFK entered the Democratic primaries. That completely buried the fact that LBJ was the greatest force of Civil Rights in the U.S. since Abraham Lincoln. (Following up on your article from yesterday!)
Do you listen to "Just Between Us," the Bulwark podcast with Charlie Sykes and Mona Charen? This surprised the hell out of me, but both Charlie and Mona's parents were big Eugene McCarthy supporters. Isn't that wild?! Mine voted for HHH. I had been thinking of writing you back, "We're all our parents' children," but not in the case of Mona and Charlie apparently.
Very interesting! Yes, we do absorb a lot of our parents' political views. Having said that, both of my parents were children of Republicans. I think their choices to become liberal Democrats were not a form of rebellion, but rather well-thought out decisions.
Thank you. I so admired Humphrey. He was committed to change and decency and civil rights.