Another day, another possible Trump indictment in the works.
Former President Donald Trump said Tuesday that he has received a letter from the Justice Department that he is the target of an investigation into efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election. He took to his Truth Social to call it a “WITCH HUNT.”
But what timing. The big news of the day broke just before another Republican candidate, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, did something few thought he would do: sit down for an interview with CNN. In fact, it was a rare move for DeSantis to sit down with anybody outside of the usual friendly conservative media circles, such as Fox News.
With DeSantis chasing Trump in the polls, he had a chance to cut into Trump a bit. Instead, DeSantis walked the fine line, making sure not to offend Trump and, more importantly, the Trump supporters that he might need someday.
DeSantis was interviewed in South Carolina by CNN’s Jake Tapper, who naturally asked DeSantis about the Trump news. Tapper asked if there is evidence of criminality, should Trump be charged?
DeSantis said, “Here’s the problem. This country is going down the road of criminalizing political differences. I think that’s wrong.”
When pressed, DeSantis said, “When you’re going after somebody on the other side of the political spectrum, if you’re stretching statutes to try to criminalize political disagreements, that is wrong. Now, look, this is all speculation. But I think we’ve gone down the road in this country of trying to criminalize differences in politics, rather than saying, ‘OK, you don't like somebody? Then defeat them in the election rather than trying to use the justice system.’”
So if you were waiting for the moment for DeSantis to come out swinging at Trump, it never happened. Earlier in the day Tuesday, the most he would say was that Trump should have “come out more forcefully” when his supporters were attacking the Capitol.
But he told Tapper, “I don't think it serves us good to have a presidential election focused on what happened four years ago in January. And so I want to focus on looking forward. I don't want to look back. … I hope he doesn't get charged. I don't think it'll be good for the country.”
One of the themes of DeSantis’ campaign, as well as his time as governor in Florida, is fighting against “wokeness.” In a recent campaign speech, he used the word “woke” five times in 20 seconds. He talks about it constantly.
Yet, he told Tapper, “Not everyone really knows what wokeness is. I mean, I’ve defined it, but a lotta people who rail against wokeness can’t even define it.”
Perhaps that is why DeSantis’ campaign is floundering at the moment. One of his chief talking points is something most people can’t even define.
CNN’s Steve Contorno and Kit Maher wrote, “That disconnect is echoed in concerns by Republican donors and operatives, who have privately — and sometimes publicly — said that DeSantis is too focused on the priorities of the most conservative factions in his party, particularly those that speak loudest in digital spaces and the GOP speaking circuit.”
Check out the CNN story for more specifics on the interview and some of the answers DeSantis gave about his campaign.
The interview didn’t result in any explosive moments, testy back-and-forths or, for that matter, any truly viral clips. The only thing that came close was DeSantis admitting many people can’t define what “woke” means.
Aside from spending lots of time on Trump, Tapper hit many of the major questions voters might have of DeSantis — foreign policy, possible problems with his campaign and his thoughts on abortion. (His answer on the latter was, at best, vague.)
Tapper might get beat up in some circles for not being tougher with DeSantis, but he should get credit for asking the pertinent questions and allowing DeSantis to answer.
Could Tapper have hit every questionable thing DeSantis has said or done? Well, for starters, Tapper didn’t have all day to interview DeSantis. The interview, which was taped and aired later, was just over 15 minutes long.
So, with some time limitations, Tapper did the right thing: hit the major talking points and ask tough questions without being combative and having the interview devolve into a mess.
We shall see if DeSantis gains some momentum from the interview (doubtful), but CNN and, in particular, Tapper came out of it in good shape.
