Former Sen. Ben Sasse Takes Office as University of Florida President

I dunno, this is probably his only chance to be called 'president' of something so I think he'll take it

 

In 2022, Sasse was polling 22 points lower than the makeup of his state would suggest he should. Net approval of only 3% in a state that was +25 Republican (his approval rating among Republicans was in the low 40s). Several county GOP chapters formally voted to censure him. That doesn't seem like someone who was going to hold that job for life. He positioned himself as the leader of the party after they turned on Trump, then they didn't turn on Trump. He had no future in the party.

 

Ok

 

University of Florida exploring potential Jacksonville satellite campus

 

New $100M UF satellite campus could be coming to Jacksonville, focus on AI, medical technology

Watch the end of the video - had a slam dunk PR opportunity and really blew it. He's gotta get better at that. My god that was cringe

 

Today was gator giving day, I was watching to see if all the swirl of the last year, including the Sasse choice had any impact. Last year they got 26k donations, this year close to 28k. Last year they raised 20 million, this year a bit over 17.
So basically a wash, just one big donor whale short this year.
Talks of funding boycotts and things so far seem unfounded if today was an indication. Which is good news.

 

I opted not to give today, but it's not because of Sasse. I'm waiting to see how UF handles the next wave of DeSantis attacks on higher ed. I didn't appreciate the way it comported itself in response to the last few.

 

I was a bit more cautious this year..I gave to the Machen Scholars fund, and to the sea turtle program at the Whitney lab. One has tangible benefits for students who need (and I would say have earned) a helping hand, one has tangible benefits for the environment.
I basically helped two causes I would probably help anyway, and have it benefit UF a bit.

 

I gave to the Machen Scholars Fund, the Pet Samaritan fund at the vet school, Dance Marathon for Children’s Miracle Network, and to top it off, the African American Studies program. The last was my personal middle finger to DeSantis.

 

You really showed Ron. Lol.

 

They got a couple of large donations late last night apparently. Ended up just shy of 20 million it looks like.

 

It was just for me. How much did you give?

 

Well, George Bush anyway.

 

I don’t disclose my personal finances to anyone, especially not strangers on a message board.
If it makes you feel better telling strangers that you’re doing something, good for you.

 

LOL

 

Probably a healthier activity than being condescending to strangers.

All she said was which funds she gave money to, in response to others discussing the same thing. No concrete mention of finances in the slightest beyond confession that she makes donations.

But you felt triggered enough by her mentioning DeSantis that you just had to reply with snark, and then double down on that snark with straight up insults. Pretty audacious to then try and turn that around as though you're taking the high road, and that she's showing her ass.

 

For a guy who loves to point out how people are overly sensitive, you are acting overly sensitive. She didn’t tell you how much she gave, she just said she gave. It’s not disclosing personal finances to say whether you have or not. No financial details were requested.

In the spirit of gifs that you enjoy:

 

It's all good.

 

We have a rare Snowflake troll sighting. LOL