Duty, Prudence, and Strategy

Ron DeSantis for New Hampshire

I’ve made the decision to do something that I had not planned on doing: I’m wading into Presidential politics. I probably don’t have to tell you that there’s a million reasons that I, perhaps, ought not do this – from the inevitable backlash of those backing another candidate, to the sheer insufferability of national politics, I’m not really doing myself any favors here. That’s the crutch of the matter, though: this is not something I’m doing for myself, but for my constituents, and for my State. I have a duty to act when presented with an opportunity to make their lives better, and to make them freer, so I will.

I believe a proven, discerning conservative in the White House could upset the statist applecart sufficiently to buy more time for us States to get our act together. However, in my typical too-honest-for-politics form I’ll admit that I’m still highly skeptical a conservative can win the White House. With the “fortifications” of ballot harvesting, mail voting, and other sketchy activities (looking at you, Zuckerberg) the challenge is mighty indeed. However, by exercising prudence and discernment in selecting the right candidate we, as a State (NH), can come out winners either way.

The candidate selected by the GOP will become the torchbearer for the party from that time forward. That candidate will be emulated, in policy and even in mannerisms, by the party, and by the base, down the ballot, and down the chain of federalism right into my own district and town. That means that the candidate will have the opportunity, for better or worse, to shift the Overton Window within the State of New Hampshire, and thereby directly affect NH politics – including what we legislators may be capable of getting done as early as 2023.

Photo by Done By Alex on Unsplash

With that solely at the front of my mind the choice becomes exceedingly obvious. No State has moved farther to the right at a faster pace than Florida has in recent years. Granted, it hasn’t been perfect at all times, but it doesn’t have to be to shift the Overton Window in our favor. Perfection is not the enemy of the good, and Florida is looking pretty good right now.

I don’t intend to cast shade on either of the other major candidates currently running. I supported Trump previously, and I still do in his personal battles against the ongoing, continuous, never-ending coup the administrative state has inflicted upon him, and us by extension. However, Trump remains highly undiscerning in his personnel choices – many of which brought pain to both this nation and all of us as individuals – and incapable of recognizing the errors that plagued his first term. I do not see cause to believe he can or will overcome these faults.

Vivek Ramaswamy is, frankly, awesome. However, he is also untested, controversial, and he does not have the winning record that would translate directly, and immediately, into a transformed NH GOP via shifting the Overton Window towards what has already been successfully implemented in Florida. Perhaps we’d be lucky enough to see him offered the vice position, but as much as I like him I cannot in good conscience forgo this opportunity on behalf of my constituents.

My only concern is winning for my constituents, and for my State. I am here to win. I am not prepared to resign to failure. I am accountable for what I do, and what I do not do in this regard. DeSantis at the helm of the GOP will place me in the best position to win for my constituents in Concord. His leadership at the national level will rapidly normalize the excellent, solidly rightist things Florida has done within the NH GOP – a process that may otherwise take years – such that we might shift the tide of the battles over parental rights and authority versus bureaucracy, indoctrination and degeneracy versus decency, and the State’s ordained interpository role to protect NH citizens against a runaway federal government. This remains true whether the White House is ultimately won or not.

I believe Ron DeSantis is the correct choice for the GOP Presidential nomination and the surest path to making New Hampshire greater, and freer. I support Ron DeSantis for President.