Thoughts on the Election with Sid Dinerstein
Posted by Fred Scheibl on November 16, 2018 · Leave a Comment
When we first booked Sid Dinerstein for his “after-election, looking-forward” thoughts, our current electoral chaos was not anticipated. With four races still in flux eight days after the election, we still don’t know with certainty where we will be when the dust settles, but Sid did have some encouraging words for us.
Starting with the fact that the military ballots (which lean considerably Republican) have not yet been tallied, and that recounts rarely if ever move votes in any substantive way, he opined that DeSantis and Scott will likely prevail. With the current 5,000 vote deficit, it does not look as good for Matt Caldwell. It is clear that the Supervisors of Election in Broward and Palm Beach must be replaced before the next election, and we need to work towards that end.
On a national level, losing the House was not a desired outcome, but it has interesting ramifications for 2020. Gridlock will ensue, not some Progressive tsunami. Sid believes we will have no immigration reform and no wall, but with an expanded majority in the Senate we will have judges. When President Trump is done he will have appointed fully 1/3 of federal bench. Deregulation is likely to continue (it doesn’t need Congress), as will trade negotiations, and the economy will continue its good performance. With the expectation that House Democrats will be out to torture Trump with endless investigations and impeachment, something even most Democrats are not asking for, a big 2020 sweep for the President is likely.
On the state level, Rick DeSantis origins in the Freedom Caucus bode well for no tax increases, more school choice, continued growth in population and tourism, a low crime rate, and no Medicaid expansion – a complete opposite of what a Governor Gillum would have sought. We will continue what Sid sees as the “Golden Age of Florida.’ And lest we forget, we will have 3 new conservative justices on the Florida Supreme Court in January.
Overall, not a bad outlook!
Sid was introduced by current GOP Chair Michael Barnett who calls Sid his mentor. Michael also asked for volunteers to help with the “count watching” at SOE as the hand recounts begin shortly. We also had at the meeting victorious State Representatives Rick Roth (HD85), Mary Lynn Magar (HD82), and Michael Caruso who is currently ahead by 37 votes in HD89, and Palm Beach Gardens Councilman Matthew Lane.
Please join us on Wednesday, December 19 for Charles Bender, Executive Director of the Place of Hope who will give us an update on their activities, and we will also have a little holiday music.