Jun.30

electoral-vote.com

Dem 51

   

GOP 49

Sleaze Report, Part I: Ron DeSantis

Several times, we have pointed out that one reason it is necessary to hold Donald Trump to account is that politicians are learning, and have learned, the lesson that if the president does it (or the wannabe president does it), it's not illegal. Case in point: Ron DeSantis.

DeSantis is not president yet, and is not particularly close to becoming president. And yet, the list of legal and ethical breaches is already quite long:

• He accepted the gift of an expensive golf simulator from a wealthy supporter.
• He transferred money from his state campaign PACs to his federal campaign PACs, in contravention of campaign laws.
• Similarly, he is making a mockery of rules that prohibit coordination between candidates and super PACs.
• The day after launching his campaign on Twitter, he signed legislation that will benefit Elon Musk.
• He is using staffers paid by the state of Florida to raise money and handle PR for his federal campaign.
• He is using state funds for stunts meant to promote his presidential bid (e.g., the immigrant flights)
• He has been accused of tying discretionary funding in Florida to presidential endorsements. In other words, state legislators who endorse DeSantis for president get extra money, whereas those who endorse Donald Trump get their funding slashed.

Can there really be any question what will happen if DeSantis actually ends up in the Oval Office? If Donald Trump is held accountable for his misdeeds, then at very least it will give future shady presidents some pause, while empowering the DoJ and other authorities to do what they need to do when and if action is required. (Z)