In the United States, presidential election cycles are often likened to beauty contests in the realm of politics. In order to secure the presidency, candidates must navigate their way through the heartland of America, with all roads eventually leading to Iowa. Known as the Hawkeye State, Iowa plays a crucial role in the early stages of political maneuvering. With the state’s caucus in January often indicating which candidate has the best chance of winning elections in other states, the recent Iowa State Fair became the epicenter of political activity and a telling sign of each politician’s brand of progress.
Despite former president Donald Trump facing multiple indictments in four criminal cases, including the most recent charge of racketeering and participation in a criminal enterprise in an effort to overturn the 2020 election in Georgia, he remains the front-runner for the Republican nomination. However, Trump’s competitors are not likely to back down, despite his significant lead in the polls.
One of Trump’s main opponents, Ron DeSantis, the Republican governor of Florida, was also present at the Iowa State Fair, working diligently to garner votes and steer his campaign back on track. For the first time since the start of the campaign, an Emerson College poll revealed that DeSantis is now in third place, trailing behind Chris Christie. Only 8 percent of Republican primary voters in New Hampshire indicated their intention to support DeSantis. Accompanied by his wife and three children, DeSantis actively engaged with fairgoers, posing for photos, listening to their concerns, and even grilling burgers. However, the pageantry of presidential primaries can often be deceptive, and this holds particularly true for DeSantis. While he portrays the image of a promising future, his political ideologies are far from forward-thinking.
DeSantis can be seen as the embodiment of false progress. Since assuming the role of governor of Florida in 2019, he has consistently undermined queer rights, restricted the teaching of race and gender in classrooms, hindered job creation, dismissed elected Democratic state attorneys, worked to restrict press freedoms, and enacted a law allowing Florida residents to carry concealed firearms without a permit. According to Jamelle Bouie in The New York Times, “The same lawmakers who want to rob their constituents of the right to bodily autonomy have also begun to treat democracy as an obstacle to avoid, not a process to respect. Once you are in the business of degrading the citizenship of one group of people, it’s easy to extend that pattern of action to the citizenship of other groups of people.”
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An image of DeSantis at the Iowa State Fair, captured by photographer Chip Somodevilla, serves as a stark representation of how DeSantis perceives himself, rather than depicting his true character. He is portrayed as towering and selfless, a true advocate for everyday Americans. However, the angle of the camera reveals a different truth, one that aligns more closely with the reality we experience. DeSantis only appears larger by diminishing others. With his right hand extended and a wide, Cheshire smile reminiscent of a 1990s Aphex Twin album cover, the camera’s perspective elevates DeSantis, creating an unsettling impression of idolatry. It is difficult to escape the thought that he stands tall only at the expense of the communities he tramples upon, people who become targets due to his dangerous beliefs and uncompromising policies.
In a future America where DeSantis assumes the role of president, such blind faith in the leader comes at the detriment of those who refuse to succumb to his masked cruelty. As I previously mentioned, presidential election cycles are nothing more than political beauty contests, and often the most successful candidates, such as DeSantis and Trump, are adept at concealing their true monstrous nature.
As Americans, it is essential for us to scrutinize the political candidates vying for our support, going beyond the surface-level charm and image projected during election cycles. By delving into their policies, principles, and track records, we can ensure the selection of leaders who genuinely prioritize the well-being and progress of our communities and the nation as a whole.
