Ron DeSantis showed his political muscle Tuesday night when his endorsed candidates won in every race. This included the election of a large number of conservative school board members by the voters. DeSantis reacted by ripping into Dr. Anthony Fauci who had just announced his retirement to avoid any oversight from the House Republicans.
The Florida governor took aim at Fauci while giving a speech and said that “someone should grab that little elf, and throw him across the Potomac.”
Instantly, I thought that he would be accused by the media of inciting violence after I first saw that clip. The rules are as follows. You can attack Republicans any way you like, even using colorful language, if you’re a Democrat. If you’re a Republican and are attacking a Democrat then any use of physical illusions is immediately labeled as “violence” even if it’s in jest. It’s a cheap way for people to stop debate.
The Daily Beast was already holding its pearls within hours.
The question of whether the governor believes his rhetoric to be “appropriate” is a great one. If he believed it to be inappropriate, would he have said it? DeSantis is not the type of person who doesn’t think through his words, so he felt that this shot at Fauci was justified.
You know what? You know what? It was absolutely justified. Fauci, a corrupt and self-righteous figure, has been bilking taxpayers for decades. He is now the highest-paid member of the government, despite failing to do his job well. The good doctor slanders his political enemies and tells “noble lies”, to manipulate Americans. He is the one who should be thrown across the Potomac.
DeSantis wasn’t speaking literally. I’m fairly certain Fauci is safe from being picked up by an angry passerby and thrown across the river, which is more than a quarter mile in diameter around Washington, DC. It is hilarious to hear media people suggest that it incites violence for a politician making a joke. But here we are. Fauci has been threatened with death! Every other public figure in the country has received death threats. This is not a free pass to engage in rhetorical ribbing.
DeSantis’ ability to communicate clearly and direct to voters in ways that inspire enthusiasm is one of his greatest qualities. His comments will be condemned by some on the right. It’s exactly what Republicans want to see, I believe.
