WFLA
Very similar to former President Donald Trump, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis likes to mission power. And like Trump, he errors bluster for bravery.
Simply earlier than a press convention on the College of South Florida on Wednesday, the Florida governor and 2024 Republican presidential contender walked as much as an assembled group of seven highschool college students standing behind his podium, carrying masks.
Understanding full-well that his feedback can be heard in an in any other case quiet room filled with TV cameras, he strode as much as the youngsters and pointed his finger.
“You wouldn't have to put on these masks,” the governor mentioned. “I imply, please take them off. Actually, it’s not doing something and we’ve gotta cease with this COVID theater. So if you wish to put on it, high quality, however that is ridiculous.”
The entire episode was barely ten seconds lengthy, however DeSantis acquired his level throughout. Along with his phrases, tone, and physique language—he allow them to know who’s boss. By asking them to take their masks off, he implicitly ordered them to take action. After which by saying “if you wish to put on it, high quality” he pretended to respect somebody’s choice to put on a masks, earlier than instantly undercutting any supposed sincerity by including “however that is ridiculous.”
It’s a headgame, not dissimilar to a schoolyard bully cornering a child earlier than a crowd of their friends and saying, “You may put on that silly shirt if you'd like, but it surely’s ridiculous.”
And lest the governor’s hectoring be misunderstood, DeSantis telegraphed his anti-mask vice-signaling by letting out an exasperated sigh and shaking his head when he lastly took the rostrum.
DeSantis’ political fame rests primarily on two issues: banning native communities from imposing masks mandates, and signing a number of legal guidelines that ban sure types of free speech within the identify of “defending free speech.”
So you'll be able to perceive why he would really feel strongly sufficient about being photographed with masked schoolkids.
However is he proper?
There's a case to be made towards faculty masks mandates. There are cheap arguments (which I've made) that common masking of scholars has hindered training, in addition to social and cognitive improvement. There are loads of good causes to be cynical in regards to the sudden change in CDC steering on masks, in addition to the curiously-timed rollback of masks mandates in a bunch of deep-Democratic cities and states—simply as Democrats have been getting the message that voters see them because the social gathering of countless faculty closures and pointless COVID security theater.
All that granted, it’s craven and weak to hector children to be able to rating low-cost political factors.
It’s additionally alright to oppose masks mandates, whereas additionally not reacting to the sight of youngsters carrying masks as if it’s a societal shame and a private insult.
However that’s not Massive DeSantis Power.
As a substitute, the governor handled the nervous college students as in the event that they’re the “lamestream media” or “Massive Pharma” or no matter boogeyman he’s chasing for political clout this week. He behaved as in the event that they’re the issue he’s combating. And he absolutely knew they have been a captive viewers to his rant and wouldn’t dare discuss again to him.
That’s a bully transfer. And bullies are cowards.
In truth, DeSantis is such a coward, so fearful of his personal social gathering’s anti-COVID vaccine base, that he received’t say someway if he’s obtained a booster shot.
Trump even took a veiled swipe at his doubtless 2024 rival, telling the far-right One America Information Community over his booster caginess: “I watched a few politicians be interviewed and one of many questions was, ‘Did you get the booster?’ As a result of that they had the vaccine, and so they’re answering like—in different phrases, the reply is ‘sure,’ however they don’t wish to say it, as a result of they’re gutless. You gotta say it, whether or not you had it or not, say it.”
A bully and a coward himself, Trump is aware of “gutless” when he sees it.
DeSantis is a giant loud alpha in relation to utilizing children as props in his anti-mask tantrum, however he’s a sheepish beta in relation to risking the wrath wrought by Republican voters’ anti-vaccine sensitivities.