The Schadenfreude is delightful...

The (long anticipated) departure of Ronnie D. yesterday promised to usher in a bevy of posts from the commenterati this morning, and I was not disappointed. It’s been a while since I shared what I am reading, but it seems appropriate to take some gloating traipses.

First up last night was a short video by Chris Cillizza for paid subs. Not really gloating, but a good short synopsis. Alas it is solely for paid subscribers, and he did promise a more in depth read this AM. I was not disappointed:

Just HOW bad was Ron DeSantis' campaign?

Well, it’s finally over. Ron DeSantis’ ended his campaign for president, officially, on Sunday afternoon — although his relevance as a candidate had already long passed. Watching the final days of DeSantis’ campaign — after a 30-point loss to Donald Trump in Iowa — I was reminded of the

So What

Answer: really fucking bad. From the botched abortion of his official launch on Twitter, to the cackling laughter, and the absolute lack of any charm or warmth, this was really the only outcome.

Not to be outdone, Rick Wilson of The Lincoln Project comes through with some wit and zingers. He truly has a way with words that you just have to read.

The End of the Beginning of 2024

The best part about being an anthropologist of Trump and Trumpism is the utter, almost boring predictability of the actions of Republicans, the media, and Trump himself under any circumstance. As readers here know, this was always how it would end. DeSantis out, Nikki as the last (sorta) Establishment Republican Standing, and Donald Trump, roaring and ea…

Rick Wilson’s Substack

A taste:

Ron DeSantis the Ted Cruz of Scott Walkers. He’s the antithesis of charisma and appeal. He’s back in Florida, seething and furious in his Adams Street lair of the Governor’s Mansion, but that’s a story now for Florida to work through.

Chef’s kiss, no notes, 13/10

This was enough for me to push the button and upgrade to paid.

Of course, I can’t neglect The Bulwark. I do still read the Morning Shots (it’s free), and Charlie Sykes delivers the riposte with elan:

Exit DeSantis

And just like that, before a single vote had been cast in the first primary, Ron DeSantis is out, ending his campaign by citing a bogus Churchill quote as he bent the knee to Donald Trump. From shambolic launch to the final sad trombone slide into oblivion, it was all so on-brand.

The Bulwark

I remember in late Winter 2023 where there was some rumbling of support at The Bulwark for RDS to be the one:

I always thought they were getting high on their own supply, as RDS had all the charisma of a 2 week old dog turd on your lawn. At least it is easier to pick up, amirite?

I am sure there will be more piling on, but as Dr. Krieger from Archer is fond of saying, I can only get so hard

A glorious start to the week. And tomorrow when Trump humiliates Nikki Haley, the Republican primary will be over.

Good thing too, because Trump is gonna need time to spend in all the courtrooms as his trials progress.

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