US midterm elections: Voters in Melbourne, Florida, uninspired by Donald Trump presidential tilt
Donald Trump hopes this week’s midterm elections will give him a smooth run to the presidency. But the voters of this key city have other ideas.
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It’s a sunny Saturday in Melbourne – the shops are busy, the restaurants are starting to fill and the water is sparkling in the harbour.
In the CBD, all the talk is of elections and how people will vote.
No, not the Victorian elections but the US midterm elections and how that will affect Donald Trump.
That’s because this isn’t Melbourne, Victoria. This is Melbourne, Florida. Named after the Aussie Melbourne, but a world away.
And it’s Melbourne and communities like it that will decide if Trump gets a second shot – or not – at the presidency.
At a rally in Iowa on Friday, Trump said “I will very, very, very probably (run) again”.
But right now, the views of these other Melburnians might be worrying the owner of Mar-a-Lago, located less than 200km south.
“I kind of think his time is done,” one local told news.com.au. Others thought he was getting too old. Another doubted he would actually run at all, despite all his hints.
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Located on Florida’s Atlantic coast, Melbourne is within rocket-spotting distance of Cape Canaveral.
It’s a compact city with ocean views, a lively strip of eateries cooking up local shrimp and crabs, and new boutique hotels opening as visitors return.
Like many Floridians, particularly away from big cities like Miami and Orlando, Melburnians are generally conservative, Christian and Republican. A T-shirt for sale declares: “Don’t New York my Florida”. These locals should be Trump’s low-hanging votes.
But the reticence of some Floridians could leave the presidential door open for the man described by the Financial Times as “Trump with the brains but without the drama” – the state’s governor, Ron DeSantis.
Tuesday’s election could seal Biden – and Trump’s – fate
On Tuesday, Americans head to the polls for the Congress midterm elections, equivalent to Australia’s general election.
All the seats in the US House of Representatives are up for grabs and a third of the Senate. Both houses are currently in the hands of the Democrats – making President Joe Biden’s political life much easier.
But so few seats divide the parties just a small swing could see the Republicans take the lower house and possibly the Senate too.
Trump has no official role in the midterms – he’s not up for election – yet the vote is widely seen as a referendum on Trumpism.
If the Dems hold on, Trump’s time could be over. But if the Republicans surge and particularly candidates endorsed by Trump get in, many of whom echo his false claims of rigged elections, it will smooth his path to 2024.
That path goes straight through Melbourne.
Originally called Crane Creek, the city was named after its Australian namesake in 1888 in honour of its first postmaster Cornthwaite John Hector who hailed from Melbourne. Which was a generous gesture for the local postie.
At the last election in 2020 the voters of the 8th district – the electorate that includes Melbourne – went 61 per cent Republican. There’s little reason to suggest it will be different next Tuesday.
‘Trump’s time is done’
Friends Dawn and June are at the Melbourne Square shopping centre. Alongside Macy’s and JC Penney is a shop called “God’s Love Apparel” that sell clothes with slogans like “half hood, half holy”.
“They kids call this place ‘Mel-boring,’ you know,” Dawn chuckled.
Both tell news.com.au of their conservative Christianity.
“We’re in a circle of people who are very pro Trump,” June said as she picked at her Chick-fil-A chicken burger and downed the chain’s trademark lemonade.
“Economically things were so much better under Trump. And the whole building of the wall (on the Mexican border), Biden has never actually been there and seen all the chaos on the border.”
“Trump made some good decisions,” said Dawn.
Then she hesitated.
“But sometimes the way he goes about those decisions is part of the problem.”
Currently Trump is embroiled in a myriad of court cases and it looks likely he could be forced to appear before the Congressional committee looking into the January 6 2020 Capitol riots in the dying days of his presidency.
“I feel like the appeal of him has waned. That’s just my opinion, but I think his time is done,” said Dawn
June said the very fact he lost in 2020 was a warning.
“One of the reasons he didn’t win was because of his personality.”
Dawn added he “did well” in office.
“But maybe people have seem him in action and they’re over it?” she pondered.
“Part of me thinks, he’s been there and done that so maybe now it’s (time to move on).”
‘Trump too focused on Trump’
Two hours up the coast is St Augustine, a picture postcard town in a district that is also pro-Republican and pro-Trump.
Chris, enjoying a breakfast of stacked pancakes and coffee, had retired here. He said he was conservative but also likes America’s diversity.
“Everyone thought Trump would start World War Three – but he didn’t – he lowered gas prices, he has business acumen.”
The economy – and particularly inflation – was top of people’s minds said Chris in the upcoming elections. But he said “woke” topic were also hot button issues.
“In China, kids are being taught how to use bazookas and here we’re debating whether men can have babies.”
Yet even he was circumspect on whether – and even if – Trump should stand for election.
“I don’t think he’ll run. He’s told old,” Chris told news.com.au.
“Trump is too focused on being Trump. I want a younger leader.”
That young leader, said Chris, could be Ron DeSantis.
The man who could beat Trump
Unlike Trump, DeSantis is standing is next week’s election – as Florida Governor. The 44 year old is expected to win re-election comfortably.
“DeSantis was in the military, he went to the right schools, he’s a lawyer. He’s done all the right things for high office,” said Chris.
“But that may not be enough. Trump is a showman.”
Right now, it’s widely accepted that DeSantis is the most likely non-Trump Republican presidential candidate.
Trump still leads polls ahead of DeSantis when it comes to who Republicans want as the candidate; but DeSantis’ numbers keep rising. In the key states of New Hampshire and Florida, he is more popular than Trump.
DeSantis’ policies have been populist and garnered nationwide attention; they appeal to Trump voters.
He stripped Florida of virtually all Covid restrictions; he banned schools from discussing sexual identity before year four; opposes – and has limited – abortion in the state; and has sent coach loads of immigrants to New York City.
“For many voters, DeSantis offers all the upsides of Trump — a populist conservative agenda and bold, fighting spirit — without the downsides — 3am Twitter fights and lacklustre follow-through,” wrote Kristin Tate on website The Hill.
As DeSantis’ chances have grown so reportedly has the animosity between the two men. The pair both campaigned in Florida on the weekend – but at separate rallies.
DeSantis hasn’t ruled out a presidential tilt. That’s led to him being mocked by Trump.
“They hate each other,” a former Trump adviser told magazine Vanity Fair.
There is chatter that de DeSantis will see how the midterms go and if it gives Trump a boost, he may delay his leadership ambitions. At only 44, 2024 would not be his only shot at the top job.
De Santis was “new blood”, said Dawn at Melbourne Square mall.
“We like DeSantis for his conservative views and he has done a lot for Florida.
“But Florida people don’t want him to run for president. They want him here,” she said.
Morgan has just got off the Greyhound coach in Melbourne. He’s not sure DeSantis has got the upper hand.
“I reckon Trump would get more votes,” he said. “If they let him run.”
“I hope the Republicans don’t get in, though” he added. “If they do, I’ve got a passport. I’m going to leave Melbourne. I’ll head to Barbados.”
Originally published as US midterm elections: Voters in Melbourne, Florida, uninspired by Donald Trump presidential tilt
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