Trump implies DeSantis is possibly a pedophile (again) and gay

[RINO Tom]

Really wish DeSantis would just clap back with the obvious "I don't take my lessons on pedophilia from a friend of Epstein" and be done with it.

I think these people rightfully question if that would do any good with the GOP primary electorate.  They all need to walk a fine line in this regard.  GOP voters were (understandably) annoyed with how a figure like McCain or Romney didn't seem quite combative enough against a Democratic Party that these voters think has zero respect for them, their values or the aspects of our nation they wish to defend (again, in their minds).  So, if you're a GOP candidate, you have to tap into that.  However, if you are simply Trump 2.0 running against Trump 1.0, why would anyone vote for you?  They have to take the good from Trump and leave the bad, more petty aspects behind ... and unfortunately, that is infinitely easier to do against Democrats than it is against, well, Trump.  Lol.

[TPIG]

The main reason other Republicans failed to take Trump down in 2016 was because they were so busy jockeying to be the Trump alternative and attacking each other that by the time they finally started attacking Trump directly, he had already consolidated enough of the base to win. Rubio did not lose because he attacked Trump; he lost precisely because he attempted the strategy you're recommending for DeSantis. Republicans want an alpha and if DeSantis can come out and start sharply attacking Trump (from the right) and match his energy, it'll be a boon for him.

Whether we agree or not on 2016 strategies, now Trump has his rock solid base of 40%, which no other politician will ever crack.

Can DeSantis really rally around the other 60% through the power of his attacks on Drumpf? You seem to think he can, but it's a tall order when he'll be called a pedophile, a pervert, a traitor, a sellout and worse daily by a former president with a bully pulpit.

I don't disagree at all that it's an incredibly tall order, and if I were to bet, I think Trump will unfortunately be the nominee. My point is that the only chance DeSantis has is to respond to Trump forcefully and not play the aloofness game which has failed every candidate to attempt it against Trump.

[TPIG]

Really wish DeSantis would just clap back with the obvious "I don't take my lessons on pedophilia from a friend of Epstein" and be done with it.

I think these people rightfully question if that would do any good with the GOP primary electorate.  They all need to walk a fine line in this regard.  GOP voters were (understandably) annoyed with how a figure like McCain or Romney didn't seem quite combative enough against a Democratic Party that these voters think has zero respect for them, their values or the aspects of our nation they wish to defend (again, in their minds).  So, if you're a GOP candidate, you have to tap into that.  However, if you are simply Trump 2.0 running against Trump 1.0, why would anyone vote for you?  They have to take the good from Trump and leave the bad, more petty aspects behind ... and unfortunately, that is infinitely easier to do against Democrats than it is against, well, Trump.  Lol.

Definitely agree with your last point, but the thrust of my argument is not to say that all policy differentiation should be thrown to the wayside. However, my point is that Republicans want a candidate who projects strength and a willingness to fight. If DeSantis can swat away Trump's attacks by hitting him back with his own jabs, along with making the clear case for how he is a more effective conservative leader, that would give him at least a chance.

[Barack Oganja]

Not one lie was told lol

His attacks today are a bit cleaner.

While I am fighting against Radical Left Lunatics, Persecutors, and unfair Prosecutors who want to destroy us all, Ron DeSanctimonious is not working for the people of Florida as he should be, he is too busy chatting with a Ratings Challenged TV Host from England, desperately trying to rescue his failing Campaign—But it’s my fault, I put him there!

Ron DeSanctimonious is running—without running! He’s doing this to subvert Election Law. Run Ron, Run! Others have done it before, though, so I can’t really blame him—But he should take a look at his Polls, which are crashing like few people have seen before. That’s because he’s merely an average REPUBLICAN Governor who has great Public Relations, far better than deserved. When you look at the Florida #’s compared to other States, you will not be impressed—I will release them later in the day!

[President Johnson]

I strongly dislike DeSandwich, but he's innocent until proven guilty and such accusations shouldn't be made without crystal clear evidence. But what do you expect from Trump? He's always been a scumbag.

[BG-NY]

Well, are these accusations possibly true?

[Bleach Blonde Bad Built Butch Bodies for Biden]

DeSantis delenda est! Go for the jugular, 45!

[emailking]

Well, are these accusations possibly true?

That random people might accuse him of groping them? I guess it could happen, but it hasn't. So no reason to think he did anything like that.

[Lief 🗽]

Well, are these accusations possibly true?

Isn’t there literally a photo of him drinking alcohol with underage girls as a teacher? The guy is a sicko.

[Ferguson97]

Well, are these accusations possibly true?

Isn’t there literally a photo of him drinking alcohol with underage girls as a teacher? The guy is a sicko.

Remember when this story first dropped over a year ago and a ton of people here tripped over themselves to tell us how totally normal and cool it was for a teacher to drink with their underage students?

[GP270watch]

 Trump is the last person who should call anybody a pedo.

[Anti-Trump Truth Socialite JD Vance Enjoying Juror]

Well, are these accusations possibly true?

Isn’t there literally a photo of him drinking alcohol with underage girls as a teacher? The guy is a sicko.

Remember when this story first dropped over a year ago and a ton of people here tripped over themselves to tell us how totally normal and cool it was for a teacher to drink with their underage students?

I'm currently a high school substitute teacher. If I were to get caught drinking with my underage students I would be fired and blacklisted.

[Inmate Trump]

Why doesn't Trump ever try to run on his record?

[TheReckoning]

Well, are these accusations possibly true?

Isn’t there literally a photo of him drinking alcohol with underage girls as a teacher? The guy is a sicko.

He was, like, 23, and they were 18. It’s not that deep, lol.

[TheReckoning]

Well, are these accusations possibly true?

Isn’t there literally a photo of him drinking alcohol with underage girls as a teacher? The guy is a sicko.

He was, like, 23, and they were 18. It’s not that deep, lol.

Hello

This is a very disturbing story if true. I do not think that the issue is necessarily the age gap, but the fact that he was their teacher. That is very inappropriate. If my younger sister’s  teacher was drinking with her I would want to have some words with him and see him fired.

—TerryG

It was after they had graduated, I’m pretty sure.

[Sir Mohamed]

Why doesn't Trump ever try to run on his record?

He just claims that he has done the best job ever without going much into the details. And critique is nothing more but rhetoric from the "radical left".