On DeSantis, a serious difference of opinion

The people of Florida have spoken. Resoundingly so. They really, really like Ron DeSantis and they want a lot more of what he’s doing.

That was their decision.

Are we supposed to agree?

By “we” I mean the editorial board of this newspaper, which has consistently criticized DeSantis’ policies over the past four years on such issues as abortion rights, education, elections, guns, health care and immigration. With DeSantis, the die is cast. He’s not about to change — and neither are we.

Never in Florida history has a governor had a more powerful impact over this state, and the reasons are many: His early momentum from Donald Trump, his handling of the pandemic, his combative us-versus-them style, an ascendant Republican Party and a Democratic Party in freefall.

The people seem to adore DeSantis or despise him. There’s no middle ground.

He has brilliantly cultivated a passionately devoted following while adeptly tormenting his critics, us included, on a regular basis.

But past is prologue, and a post-election editorial painted a much too pessimistic picture for some readers. An initial online reference to Florida becoming a “crimson hellscape” was quickly modified to “landscape” after a wise editor said it was excessively hyperbolic and would stop readers cold. It did.

Readers called for my firing. They accused us and me of hating this state (where I have lived for 41 years), or told us to move away if we didn’t like it here anymore. One crank called us “Marxist f—s” (I have the email). Another criticized our “negative and biased reporting and editorials.”

Hold on.

Editorials, unlike news stories, are, by definition, matters of opinion. A bright line separates the two in any serious newsroom. All of our editorial content, online and in print, is clearly labeled “editorial” or “opinion.” The newsroom and editorial board don’t talk to each other.

After expressing criticism of the governor’s policies for four years, to suddenly hop on the DeSantis bandwagon after his landslide victory would have been the height of hypocrisy.

We hear the criticism, respect your right to disagree and want to hear from more of you, especially if you disagree with us (at letters@sunsentinel.com). After Tuesday’s results, including the major inroads by DeSantis and Republicans in Palm Beach County, some strident voices are accusing us of being “out of step,” or not listening.

We are listening. But we will continue to hold this governor to account. It’s more important than ever now. It’s also our job.

If, as appears increasingly likely, DeSantis runs for president, every aspect of his record will be placed under a microscope as never before, as it should be.

It’s not our job to be a cheerleader for his re-election. But unlike the election deniers in DeSantis’ Republican Party, we accept the outcome and respect the will of the voters.

Some readers have noted that we didn’t endorse any Republican candidate for state or local office this cycle, and there are several reasons why.

Many GOP candidates shunned us, part of a broader Republican strategy to marginalize the mainstream media. Others played down the Jan. 6 insurrection or questioned the legitimacy of Joe Biden’s election — disqualifiers. Even votes taken in the Legislature made it difficult for us to endorse some GOP candidates. Endorsing a Republican who supports a 15-week abortion ban with no exceptions for rape or incest? Out of the question.

We did endorse a number of registered Republicans for non-partisan local offices, but we realize that’s not the same thing.

The case of Rep. Chip LaMarca, R-Lighthouse Point, was a more difficult call. The only Republican legislator from Broward, he is popular locally and a highly visible campaigner whose distinctive red signs seemed to be everywhere. But his voting record in Tallahassee was almost entirely in line with the combative culturewar agenda of DeSantis and the Legislature, and we think that agenda is wrong for Florida.

But just being likeable and approachable can carry a candidate a long way, and LaMarca cruised to victory by a margin of nearly 11,000 votes, in one of the many very bright spots on one of Republicans’ most successful Florida election nights ever.

Indeed, the people have spoken.