2024 - A Blank Canvas

[Kahane's Grave Is A Gender-Neutral Bathroom]

Hopefully Ron DeSantis governs the way he said he would instead of letting the Congressional GOP do everything a la Trump.

The congressional GOP never governed Trump's way for the most part. When you hear about where Republicans "increased deficits" while "Democrats reduced deficits", remember that the GOP never had a truly conservative Congress for either George W. Bush or Trump to rely on. Clinton's boast about how he reduced the deficit is largely a by-product of the Newt Gingrich Congress, and it's important to note that there was a report on excess defense spending that was about to be released when 9/11 occurred and led to our extreme security state that the neocons were happy to push.

Because DeSantis has a big enough Republican majority to where he can largely pass a lot of what he wants, and since Republicans are going to be hard pressed by their base to ACTUALLY reduce the deficit, keep taxes low, balance the budget, shrink the size of government and encourage work instead of beefing up the welfare and warfare states, I don't see DeSantis following the rulebook of the old congressional establishment. Yes, Cornyn is most definitely middling in his political views, but the newcomers in the Senate as well as long-time conservatives like Rand Paul are going to want more than just excuses like "we're sorry we didn't do this time, but we'll try again if you reelect us". Excuses like that aren't going to cut it anymore with the base, and Republicans who either continue to push "Jesus, guns and babies" because they're too chicken to put on their big boy pants and do some ACTUAL conservative governance - even in areas where Democrats are willing to break bread - deserved to be primaried out of office.

Don't get me wrong, with a majority like this, there are going to be many disappointed Republicans if DeSantis's demands are not met or his 100 days not fulfilled because some Republicans want to play "pattycake" because some "I'm pro-life but..." voter either from an impoverished rural area government actually failed or some pressure group tries to accuse you of being "heartless" or of "killing Granny" or of "offending little Timmy" or some other excuse to break your promise to your voters or potentially violate the Constitution in the name of "family values" or "doing what the people want", to where effectively Republicans fall back on "Nothing to see here, just say the right things about Jesus, guns and babies, pass another tax cut and don't rock the boat" like past Republicans have done - even under Trump. "Compassionate conservatism" and "neoconservatism" explain why Republicans have to deal with being called "hypocrites" about the deficit, spending, reforms, etc., and it's almost why Mitch McConnell deserves to be stripped of his title as Senate Minority Leader. I would like to see Rand Paul, Ted Cruz, Ben Sasse or Josh Hawley run the damn joint...I don't care if Paul is a libertarian, Cruz is a Religious Right nut, Sasse voted to convict Trump or Hawley raised a fist over the results of 2020 and stood with Bernie in support of COVID "relief" - I care that Republicans actually follow the majority of their principles and stop worrying about some supposed "popular opinion".

Speaking of which did DeSantis run on any policies that were different besides actually doing what he promised? You don't win Delaware and Illinois on the current GOP platform. Are they finally accepting climate change or the ACA or something?

DeSantis effectively ran as the Reagan to Trump's Nixon, espoused his conservative "record of success" in the most important swing state in America, and vowed to run a 50-state campaign by running up the score in MAGA regions, getting back sizable chunks of the suburban vote that Trump lost in 2016, capitalized on GOP gains among demographic groups including Latinos, took Trump's line on gays and lesbians (where he is effectively nonchalant compared to past Republicans) and embraced effectively the Log Cabin Repubicans' on issues like gender transition (e.g. "Gender Altering Drugs Are For ADULTS Only!"), and also got a break through Andrew Yang siphoning off some more liberal votes.

In other words, his campaign left no state behind compared to past Republicans who in the past would have simply written off certain states for not being "red enough". Many voters were also swayed by concerns about the debt default and China, as well as the Harris campaign effectively self-inflicting damage upon itself as you've seen in this TL.

And...it's not over yet, but getting there...

Even in OTL if the Republicans did this they could easily win the popular vote.

[Kahane's Grave Is A Gender-Neutral Bathroom]

I'm curious how DeSantis will keep the Trump camp in line considering a significant part of the base are poorer Whites who like entitlements.

[Kahane's Grave Is A Gender-Neutral Bathroom]

Rest In Peace Democratic Party (1828-2024)

[Kahane's Grave Is A Gender-Neutral Bathroom]

So if the GOP gets 65 senate seats in 2024, they probably only get knocked down to 63 in 2026. But since this TL is the way it is, the GOP will probably reach 70 seats in time for Ron DeSantis's landslide 45-state re-election.

[Kahane's Grave Is A Gender-Neutral Bathroom]

I have to admit that I am very surprised that Ronna McDaniel is apparently stepping down. Why? This big Victory in 2024 is also her & the RNC Victory who have done a marvellous job with their GOTV Efforts in 2018 (saved the Senate), 2020, 2022 and 2024.

I hope there is a good Replacement in waiting. Maybe FL GOP State Party Chairman Joe Gruters?

I mean she was there for a longer time then anyone before, and it's only downhill after you win 65+ Senate seats and a 400-EV landslide.

[Kahane's Grave Is A Gender-Neutral Bathroom]

Maybe Pam Biondi or Matt Gaetz for RNC chairman, both can be described as Trump loyalists; have their own respective strengths. Biondi would be a better option, she is not only a former state official (Attorney General of Florida). Matt Gaetz probably might be too radioactive and a tad controversial.

Gaetz would definitely be radioactive for anything other than reelection(or maybe the Senate seat if Rubio is appointed to the Cabinet and he decides to run against whoever is appointed). Biondi would probably be more interested and would be a better fit for the Attorney General's position quite frankly.

Just to give y'all a refresher, in this TL Gaetz resigned from Congress in May of 2023 over the lingering sex trafficking allegations he was ensnared in and decided not to run for President either, and has since moved to California where his wife is originally from. Even if he didn't resign, he still would not have been a unifying nor serious candidate for the thankless job of RNC Chairman. More than likely a state GOP Chairman who thrived in his role will get the job (hint: it's not going to come from Arizona...).

I mean the New Hampshire GOP is pretty competent.

On the other end, the AZ GOP are a bunch of crackheads, the GA GOP is going downhill fast, the MI GOP have the collective political IQ of a state Democratic affiliate, and the WI GOP are only in power because their legislature is more gerrymandered than apartheid South Africa.

[Kahane's Grave Is A Gender-Neutral Bathroom]

I can't understand the Grenell pick either, no pluses there; unless it's a nod to the LGBT community; I think in selecting both O'Brien and Powell, DeSantis has played more than enough homage to the Trumpian element. Grenell's confirmation hearings, as Democrats will be trawling for potential flash-points, and his election denying will be source of aggravation. Also DeSantis may think he has the political muscle to give Grenell the UN job, it's problematic and if I were him, I'd steer clear of such a controversial nomination. It's a unnecessary distraction. Krobach for Homeland Security possibly. If anyone is thinking of Ted Cruz, possibly the worst choice possible.

I mean it could be an f-you to the Islamic countries

[Kahane's Grave Is A Gender-Neutral Bathroom]

I can't understand the Grenell pick either, no pluses there; unless it's a nod to the LGBT community; I think in selecting both O'Brien and Powell, DeSantis has played more than enough homage to the Trumpian element. Grenell's confirmation hearings, as Democrats will be trawling for potential flash-points, and his election denying will be source of aggravation. Also DeSantis may think he has the political muscle to give Grenell the UN job, it's problematic and if I were him, I'd steer clear of such a controversial nomination. It's a unnecessary distraction. Krobach for Homeland Security possibly. If anyone is thinking of Ted Cruz, possibly the worst choice possible.

I mean it could be an f-you to the Islamic countries

Oh yeah forgot,  being gay in the Muslim world is a no no and that being said, Grenell at the UN is certainly a red rag to the proverbial bull! You could say DeSantis is saying to Muslims "Hey if you're intolerant bigots, well guess what? I don't give a f**kahstan if Grenell being at the UN upsets your sensibilities such as they are! Bite me!"

Except when word came of an Islamphobic tweet IRL by Kathy Barnette, this is how Grenell responded:

"There are millions of Muslims who are conservative Republicans.

People who are on the front lines calling out radical Islam.

Anyone saying the American government should ban a religion is unfit for public office."

 - From Grenell's Twitter account via his iPhone, at 6:38 PM on May 11, 2022.

Difference between conservative American Muslims and a bunch of middle eastern countries mad that gay people exist.

[Kahane's Grave Is A Gender-Neutral Bathroom]

I'm thinking Don Blankenship for EPA Administrator

[Kahane's Grave Is A Gender-Neutral Bathroom]

President-elect DeSantis Cabinet thus far (pending Confirmations)

Secretary of State: Robert O'Brien
Ambassador to the United Nations: Ric Grenell
Director of National Intelligence: Chris Stewart
CIA Director: TBD (To be determined)
Attorney General: TBD (To be determined)
Department of Homeland Security: TBD (To be determined)
Secretary of Commerce: Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin
Secretary of Transportation: Nicole Nason
Administrator of the Small Business Administration: Brad Close
Secretary of the Treasury: TBD (To be determined)
Secretary of Education: TBD (To be determined)
Secretary of the Interior: TBD (To be determined)
Administrator of Environmental Protection Agency: TBD (To be determined)
NASA Administrator: TBD (To be determined)
Secretary of Housing & Urban Development: South Carolina Senator Tim Scott
Secretary of Health & Human Services:

Non-Cabinet Level Appointments

White House Chief of Staff: Byron Donalds
White House Press Secretary: Kayleigh McEnany
White House Communications Director: Christina Pushaw
White House Counsel (Head of WH Legal Team): TBD (To be determined)
Chair Council of Economic Advisors: Steve Moore
National Security Advisor: Dina Powell



When it says DeSantis makes a move for quote "Himself" it probably means he resigns his Governorship paving the way for his Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Nunez to take over as Governor of Florida as first Woman and first Cuban-Hispanic.
And if Youngkin gets confirmed his Lt. Governor Winsome Sears will create even more History becoming the first Black Female Republican Governor in the History of the Country.

Given how this is going I wouldn't be surprised if indeed Pam Bondi gets the AG Spot. That move probably would be praised by Conservatives but shredded by Liberals.

One thing though is for sure: Given the extraordinary large Republican-House Majority President DeSantis will likely be secure from any Investigations for the entirety of his Presidency. He basically can do what he wants and no one can ask Questions or issue subpoeanas.

In response to that statement, knowing how Democrats despise the CW that DeSantis is "untouchable", some are saying "hold my beer", but you are very likely right. If Pam Biondi gets the AG spot, DeSantis is pretty sure that he could have anyone he pretty much wants as AG, and if Pam Biondi or someone else is chosen, who can also torque liberals off no end, and DeSantis wants to p*ss on them too, then he will do it, because he can and there's not much Democrats can do about it, except probably whine like crybaby little bi*ches on CNN, Sean Hannity can then give a monologue about how whiny little liberal crybabies need their hot cocoa, crayons, coloring books and special crying rooms!

You forgot blankies, adult diapers and an endless supply of wipes, barrier cream, Similac and Sesame Street for the crybaby socialists!

Also I have an UPDATE with regards to Alaska: Mary Peltola ekes out a win over Sarah Palin in the special election for Don Young's seat in real life. This doesn't necessarily mean that Palin is going to lose in November, but while this trend is certainly concerning of Democrats outperforming Republicans in a consistent string of special elections since Dobbs, this is certainly not how it's going to turn out. What Republicans do need to do is ask themselves if constantly crowing about 2020 + attacking Joe Biden without offering an ACTUAL prescription rooted in conservative principles is really worth it.

They also need to boost turnout not just to beat the Democrats, but rather crush them, all while treating ALL of their potential voters like family regardless of their attitudes about Trump, and it goes without saying that in the Hudson Valley, Marc Molinaro is going to have a better time in November than he did a couple of weeks ago, given that the current NY-19 is more an Ulster County seat that favored Pat Ryan than an Ulster-Dutchess split, and that Molinaro's only problems mainly are going to be that Dutchess County is not in the new NY-19 but Ithaca (where Josh Riley, his Democratic opponent) is. For Molinaro in November, Binghamton will be the true wild card, and it is the sort of region where Obama-Trump voters are quite plentiful and will likely prove crucial to him in November.

But getting back to point, this special election result in Alaska is more an indictment of Palin herself than that of the national mood. Again, Democrats are quite energized in the post-Dobbs stage of this election, but the whole "Caribou Barbie" and wannabe Gretchen Wilson/Teen Mom/Kardashian act has gotten quite old with enough Alaska voters of a certain persuasion to where some relatively rational Republicans who voted for Palin will unsurprisingly give Nick Begich III a second look in November. Indeed, Begich got the endorsement of both the state GOP (which also gave the big middle finger to a certain Senator who shall not be named in this cycle IRL) as well as the state chapters of AFP and FreedomWorks - two organizations whose emphasis on principled conservatism should never be ignored regardless of Trump's influence (and Palin's loss certainly doesn't bode well for him or Nikki Haley or Stefanik, who all endorsed Palin). For what it's worth, I can see this election all coming down to those who voted for Chris Bye, the Libertarian nominee, as well as the expected shift of a couple of Palin voters to Begich, including plenty of those who are looking forward to Sen. Kelly Tshibaka in November.

For now, in this TL I'm going to say that Palin will benefit from Trump's exposure to eke out a win in the midterms and will have gotten a second term, but it won't be easy and there will be a competitive reelection regardless of whether Palin or Begich is the winner, especially since Peltola will now get to serve four months as Alaska's Congresswoman and - as is the case with the aforementioned Pat Ryan in New York - will have a record of sorts that is going to get poo-pooed by the Republicans. But it's fair to say that if Begich overtops Palin in November - which actually would be the preferable course especially given what just happened (another one of Begich's endorseés happens to be the CURRENT Mayor of Wasilla, as well as Palin's ex-in laws), he will likely beat Peltola (especially with the exhaust votes that doomed Palin coming back online to help Begich) and will probably have an easier time getting reelected in 2024.

What will you do if the Democrats (gasp) don't face an R+10 national environment in November?

[Kahane's Grave Is A Gender-Neutral Bathroom]

How are the European markets doing? The NATO withdrawal will probably hurt their economies.

[Kahane's Grave Is A Gender-Neutral Bathroom]

DeSantis winning a majority of millennials lol

[Kahane's Grave Is A Gender-Neutral Bathroom]

Based on the results seen so far, this is what the map pretty much looks like with the kind of result that has happened:



And for those who may be wondering "This would never happen!", it shall be noted that such socioeconomically divergent counties as Fairfield County, Connecticut, Monongalia County, West Virginia, Marshall County, Mississippi, Snohomish County, Washington, Worcester County, Massachusetts, Gwinnett County, Georgia, and Mahoning County, Ohio - along with San Diego County, California, East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana, Jefferson County/Louisville, Kentucky, Hidalgo County, Texas, York County, Maine, Clark County, Nevada, and Loudoun County, Virginia - all gave pluralities to DeSantis in the range of 45-50 percent that highlight just how much of a spoiler Andrew Yang proved to be in this race, as well as the end product of what an amalgamation of Trump-style numbers in rural and working-class areas, a Glenn Youngkin-style suburban shift in all 50 states, and unprecedented support among Hispanic and Black voters for a Republican presidential candidate can produce for the GOP. When the aforementioned Jefferson County/Louisville as well as Fayette County (home to Lexington) are giving pluralities to DeSantis who wins every other county in Kentucky, it's hard to imagine how Democrats cannot plot their future without some attempt to a) reach out to the voters the Democrats bled away over the past two decades; b) how the triangulation of yore has worn thin over time; and c) at least having enough decency to reach out to Andrew Yang if not at least his supporters.

In other words, Democrats have plenty of explaining to do as to what direction they will need to take going forward. With that in mind, I'm going to go on a limb and say that if Jaime Harrison does not return as DNC Chairman, Tim Ryan - who at one time considered challenging Nancy Pelosi for control of the Democratic caucus - could be a likely pick to head the Democrats in the DeSantis era, sensing that the party has "lost its way" with the working class, and it's fair to say that if Donald Trump had the sort of demeanor that DeSantis has thus far shown as Governor of Florida (a "strategic bulldog" playing chess and not moaning like a toddler who doesn't get his way), he most likely would not have suffered a good chunk of the suburban slump that Trump got in 2016 and 2020, and the whole discussion about 2020 - coronavirus notwithstanding - would have focused on how badly the Democrats have fallen in the post-Obama era.

Yes, but if Trump didn't act the way he did to win over the suburbs he'd get less of his OTL base. You have to thread the needle very carefully to put together a diverse coalition. The only people I can think of that did it were Reagan and Obama.

[Kahane's Grave Is A Gender-Neutral Bathroom]

How did DeSantis win poor people when his agenda is literally to gut entitlements they rely on?

[Kahane's Grave Is A Gender-Neutral Bathroom]

Will DeSantis seek the death penalty or life imprisonment for rape victims who get abortions?

[Kahane's Grave Is A Gender-Neutral Bathroom]

Republicans will overreach and lose ground in 2026.

You can't implement life sentences for rape victims and be seen positively.

[Kahane's Grave Is A Gender-Neutral Bathroom]

@SaintStan86,
Wow, you picked it. Ron DeSantis won Miami-Dade & Palm Beach County.

DeSantis has to run for President now!

Funny how he got FL right but was a complete GOP hack everywhere else.

[Kahane's Grave Is A Gender-Neutral Bathroom]

@SaintStan86,
Wow, you picked it. Ron DeSantis won Miami-Dade & Palm Beach County.

DeSantis has to run for President now!

Funny how he got FL right but was a complete GOP hack everywhere else.

Except the GOP either picked underwhelming candidates, complete Trump puppets or ran into some unexpected headwinds outside of Florida and New York (and to a lesser extent, Ohio). Dr. Oz would have been Senator-elect if not for Mastriano + some slip-ups of his own regarding Pennsylvania name brands and sports schedules, and I'll be surprised if Kelli Ward is still the Queen Bee over in Arizona after what has transpired there.

The message is clear: It's DeSantis or bust for the GOP. And seriously, no one cares about 2020 anymore. Roe v. Wade has been overturned, our deficit is out of control, Dr. Fauci has given his last update and Trump is trailing in primary polls. What a difference a month makes!

While this is true, I think you are overestimating how much the American people care about the deficit. If they did care we'd have done something about it.