It is no secret many in the so-called mainstream media do not like Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R).
But in recent months, there has been a series of negative articles targeting his wife, Casey DeSantis. In May, Politico published an article comparing her to Shakespeare’s Lady Macbeth.
And over the weekend, the attacks kept coming.
Former Rep. David Jolly (R-Fla.) appeared on MSNBC and took a shot at Casey DeSantis.
“Casey DeSantis is a fairly compelling political figure in Florida and now nationally. For many, she’s the brighter side to Florida’s angry governor. For others, she’s become America’s Karen,” Jolly said.
He continued, “And I think that’s the ultimate disconnect here with a campaign that needs to embrace more constituencies to get to the White House.”
He went on:
“Look, she is a more effective messenger than Ron DeSantis. But if all she is doing is amplifying the wrong message, she’s actually clarifying Ron DeSantis’ weaknesses… So as I like to say, it doesn’t matter if it’s presented in heels or boots, the DeSantis doctrine is a losing one, and we’re going to learn that the more Casey gets out there.”
Watch the video below:
"She's become America's Karen," @DavidJollyFL says about Casey DeSantis. "It doesn't matter if it's presented in heels or boots, the DeSantis doctrine is a losing one." https://t.co/Hn0POU398v pic.twitter.com/SmVXBqfzpy
— MSNBC (@MSNBC) July 8, 2023
Host Jonathan Capehart laughed as he said, “‘America’s Karen,’ David Jolly, whoo boy.”
Meanwhile, guest Tara Setmayer compared Casey DeSantis to Serena Waterford, a villain from “The Handmaid’s Tale.”
“She needs to stop trying to measure the great drapes in the White House and think that she’s some kind of Jackie O reincarnated,” Setmayer added.
Politics can be a nasty business with nicknames and rumors thrown about at candidates, though their families have typically been off-limits. Yet, if you’re a spouse and are more involved in a campaign than the occasional appearances and seen as an adviser or the “real” candidate, then there’s a greater likelihood you will face criticism and attacks.
And if someone is acting as an adviser, official or unofficial, they are opening themselves up to a level of skepticism.
We’ve seen liberal commentators rush to the defense of the wives of Democratic candidates and brush off attacks or criticisms of them as sexist.
But if you are going to start attacking and criticizing the spouses of candidates, you don’t really have a leg to stand on to complain when the other side does it to your preferred candidate’s spouse.