A Tale of Two Floridians: The Case For Four More Years of Donald Trump

Two Floridians were in the race, and I was cheering for the guy in Tallahassee. Now that he's gone, the other will be the synergist the GOP needs in 2025.

I was eager to vote for Ron DeSantis here in Florida. But alas, that time will not come. DeSantis carries a remarkable vision, and Florida has benefited from such an agenda. While most of the country thought the game was over during COVID, DeSantis kept us playing in the field, even when the government referees drank martinis in private San Francisco pubs.

Nevertheless, the Florida Gubernator did not have the rhetorical boldness to minister to his national flock. And that is because DeSantis is a Florida localist. He understands his people well, but he struggled to get his groove at a national level. Communicating to the land of hurricanes is an easier sell than snow-bound Iowans, who are used to seeing national politics displayed in their front yards. Big words do not amuse them, and the Florida man could not deliver.

When I was in seminary, some professors communicated clearly. They allured us with their ideas and drew us into the conversations, regardless of denominational backgrounds. Then some made time stop. It wasn’t because their words transcended time but because they couldn’t transcend the first row, and time couldn’t move fast enough.

For many voters, our COVID hero didn’t reach their hearts. He was not a synergist, and he died in the cold Iowan voting booths. For many of us, he was the only candidate who neared the boldness of the first Trump presidency. And for most of us, he carried the big stick without the Twitter crusades at 2 am. I wanted a DeSantis presidency, but politics works because nothing is as it should.

So, we are left one more time with Donald Trump, and I am supremely eager to vote for him again. I don’t need to trace my disenchantments with him. He’s shown us four good years of, let’s call it, a fairly rocky marriage. But after four years of separation, we have realized that the old man is still the best representative to lead this republic, and I will tell you why since you asked so nicely.

The Case for the Other Floridian

1) Socialism is still as dangerous as it has always been. Trump knows that he can unite libertarians and traditionalists and whatever version of Hindu Vivek is. Trump is the synergist candidate.

2) Democrats underestimated the anger of the nation towards Washington D.C. Don't trust the media. Don't trust polls. Trump represents the defeat of the elite. He talks the language of the people, which, at this stage of American history, talks in fragments.

3) Republicans understand that Roe v. Wade still represents Trump’s most outstanding achievement, and the party owes him another four years. He may talk like a schizophrenic pirate with too much sun, but he still put the right people on that court.

4) As a Latino who entered this country legally and endured the lengthy process toward citizenship, Trump communicated most clearly his disgust for what is happening in Texas. This is not a mere crisis; this is an invasion.

5) A Trump presidency will offer the Church four years of freedom to operate its own theocratic vision for the world. The best part of a Trump presidency is that he understands that without evangelical support, he is doomed. Trump’s ignorance is actually our gain. We will keep it to ourselves that we want an ecclesial conservatism guiding the way. Still, four years will allow us to excommunicate the false teachers among us and implement our God-given agenda.

6 ) Finally, a Trump presidency will ensure the death of neo-conservative foreign policy. The remnants of that era are ending as the Lindsey Grahams take their final steps in the political stage. The new breed of Republicans seems less hawkish, and Trump has proven that entangling in foreign affairs has brought nothing but misery and distractions.

While DeSantis offered a good opportunity to test his candidacy, his departure seals the Trumpster months before the general election. Suppose he keeps believing that millions of people read his Truth Social screeds instead of only 5,000, and suppose he keeps relatively focused on making fun of Biden tripping on the White House lawn. If he keeps his eyes focused instead of making enemies of his closest allies, then 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue will have its tenant back. I hope they get rid of the crack by January 2025.

Nuntium

• I will be traveling this week to Arkansas for an installation service. Though it's a short trip, I hope to make it profitable and, by God’s grace, bless the body of saints as they celebrate twenty years of existence.

  

• I will also travel to Idaho, Alabama, Louisiana, England, South America, and other places in the months ahead. Please pray for safety and lots of health.

• My trip to Birmingham was filled with great conversations with my dear friend Rich Lusk. I also spent time with old friends, including the ever-delightful Dr. Alistair Roberts. Alistair and I have known each other for almost 20 years, though the first few years were email exchanges. Now, we get to share the stage and platform on behalf of the Theopolis Institute.

Notations

• David Bahnsen’s new book, Full-Time: Work and the Meaning of Life, will likely change perspectives on work (I have an advance copy) for a host of people. His general argument is that “work is the meaning of life” (12) and that productivity is the powerful force that drives any cultural ethos (14). The thesis challenges the premise of many that we only work so that we eventually won’t have to (15). Bahnsen argues that our skills and innovations are very much attached to our human identity (16).

There may be some general pushback that he is advocating for some form of glorified workaholism. Still, Bahnsen preemptively addresses that false narrative by asserting that a comprehensive view of work does not neglect the family but incorporates the family into its productivity.

He concludes his introduction with a great summary statement:

I believe our work ought to be a gift that flows from our spirit, a vehicle for creating shalom, and not a substitute for a real shalom (22).

Providence Church will be hosting an evening with Mr. Bahnsen:

• If you want an overview of Doug Wilson’s cancellation from Brazil’s most prominent evangelical conference, here is an excellent summary:

Nota Bene Fragments

• When I write, I write to bless the local church. Our work at Kuyperian Commentary began with that endeavor and though I have been tempted to close down the website some years ago when our traffic was meager, there was always someone who said, “Thank you for the articles published on KC. We have used them in our churches for studies.” These notes always keep me moving in my projects. A recent note about my latest substack added more value to these projects:

  Another encouraging article Uri! I've been printing many of your articles in our church bulletin to share with the congregation at Christ the King Church in Eugene. Thank you for your ministry. Barbara K

• Finally, take a listen to our men singing Jonny Simmon’s Raise a Glass to the King!

Hearty Epiphany Cheers,

Uriesou Brito