The Original Or A New Taste
In The Washington Post a few weeks ago, columnist George Will equated Ron DeSantis’ campaign to the introduction of New Coke 40 years ago.
For some strange and still unexplained reason, Coca Cola decided to rebrand the best known and best sold soft drink in the world and call it New Coke. Less than 90 days later, the original Coca Cola was back. I don’t even remember if I ever tasted the substitute.
In his column, Will equated DeSantis to New Coke and Trump to the original. He asks why any hard-core Trumpist would trade in the original for a substitute?
On the plus side, DeSantis is smarter than Trump. As he has shown in Florida, he can get things done. His administration runs like a clock. DeSantis is relentless in his pursuits, and he understands how government works.
On the other hand, Trump is scattered. His administration was a train wreck. And though I am told his followers liked his policies when I ask which ones, I get only the broadest of strokes in explanation with very few concrete facts regarding actual accomplishments.
DeSantis started out as a conservatives’ conservative, but once the presidential bug bit early in his first term, he turned into a social warrior. He saw Trump’s weaknesses of just talking and blustering without any results and thought, “I can produce real results.” And if anyone looking for someone who can deliver on Trump’s supposed agenda, then DeSantis is the guy.
Here is the thing, Trump’s admirers and followers don’t really care about policy or substance. They want a tough guy. Not a real tough guy but someone who can play a tough guy on stage. The base Republicans don’t care about governing. They care about symbolism, and Trump gives them plenty of that.
Trump’s the original coke to DeSantis’ pale imitation. DeSantis has in the State of Florida been able to create what the Trump people claim they want. While Trump claims to “own the libs,” DeSantis does so. He has strategically seized the levers of power and brought results.
It doesn’t matter if the “New Coke” tastes better than the original. It just isn’t the original. DeSantis needed to be his own man instead of trying to be someone else. He could have been his very own brand instead of a pale comparison. Even with indictments, the continuous lies, and what seems like his family’s abandonment, the people still want the original coke.
