Array
Donald Trump is always on the attack, always raising the stakes — until his opponents can’t take it and fold. Trump has successfully intimidated much of the Republican Party and the conservative movement.
Now, if Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) fails to fight back, he is likely to suffer the same fate.
For a few months, Trump’s attacks seemed to bounce off DeSantis. But Trump is using a “kitchen sink” strategy, throwing everything he can at DeSantis, and he is bound eventually to come up with something that sticks.
The fact is: Negative campaigning works.
Candidates on the attack are usually winning candidates: They set the agenda; they force their opponents to explain themselves. To paraphrase Trump political associate Roger Stone: In politics, when you’re explaining, you’re losing. Trump’s success in 2016 was built on this maxim. He threw his opponents on the defensive, and none of them was ever able to regain the initiative.
Thus far, DeSantis has mostly avoided clashing directly with Trump, save for oblique references to Trump’s current losing streak — as opposed to DeSantis’ undefeated record — and vague talk of “accomplishments.” A Republican electorate calloused to Trump’s ranting has not been moved as it was in 2016. But that cannot — and will not — last forever. A constant unanswered barrage will win through attrition.
Trump won’t allow DeSantis — or any opponent — to avoid him. Not only will Trump attack nonstop, he has no boundaries. No rumor, half-truth or conspiracy is out of bounds. Trump will say anything at any time if he thinks it will knock down an opponent. That lack of boundaries has been a major asset for Trump; in 2016, his opponents were often left stammering and stuttering on the debate stage after another over-the-top out-of-bounds broadside.
Trump tends not think ahead.
