SHORT TAKES ON THE DRIFTING WRECKAGE – OVERNIGHT:

TRUMP IS NO QUITTER – FROM FOX:   Former President Donald Trump on Wednesday announced that he will lead a lawsuit over alleged censorship against Twitter, Facebook and Google – three tech companies that removed him from their platforms after the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol by a mob of his supporters.  The lawsuit will be a class-action, with Trump as the lead plaintiff, claiming that he's been censored by the companies. He spoke about the legal action from his golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey. 
"I stand before you this morning to announce a very important... development for our freedom and freedom of speech," Trump said. "In conjunction with the America First Policy Institute, I'm filing, as the lead class-action representative, a major class-action lawsuit against the big tech giants, including Facebook, Google and Twitter, as well as their CEOs."  "There is no better evidence that big tech is out of control than the fact that they banned the sitting president of the United States earlier this year," Trump added. "If they can do it to me they can do it to anyone."   One key point here is the lawsuit's claim that the people of the United States were damaged by not being able to read the comments of their president, a powerful argument.  This could be a very interesting, and important, lawsuit. 

RON RISES MORE – FROM NEWSMAX:   Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis remains focused on his 2022 reelection campaign, but if former President Donald Trump opts out of a 2024 presidential election run, surging popularity has the Florida governor positioned as a GOP primary front-runner.  DeSantis garnered the plurality of support in a 19-candidate field in a survey conducted last month by Echelon Insights. He was a 7-point favorite at 21% over the runner-up, former Vice President Mike Pence (14%).  While DeSantis leads those who received votes in the poll, it should be mentioned "unsure" actually led the poll's non-Trump candidates at 26%.  Registered Republicans and registered voters who lean Republican were asked: "If Donald Trump does NOT seek the Republican nomination for President in 2024 and the presidential primaries were being held today, for whom would you vote?"
1 Ron DeSantis 21%.
2 Mike Pence 14%.
3 Donald Trump, Jr 7%.
4 Nikki Haley 6%.
5 Ted Cruz 6%.
6 Mitt Romney 4%.
7 Marco Rubio 3%.
8 Tim Scott 2%.
9 Tucker Carlson 1%.
10 Greg Abbott 1%.
11 Kristi Noem 1%.
12 Rick Scott 1%.
13 Liz Cheney 1%.
14 Chris Christie 1%.
15 Mike Pompeo *%.
16 Larry Hogan *%.
17 Tom Cotton *%.
18 Ben Sasse *%.
19 Josh Hawley *%.
20 Someone else 2%.

Look, it's awfully early, but one has to be impressed by DeSantis's rise, and how he has conducted himself as governor.  He will need a big re-election victory next year, which he will certainly have if he keeps up his current run.  At the same time, he can hit a bump.  We note the depth of the Republican field.  The party has a good supply of presidential candidates.  Compare please with the opposition.  Maybe they can draft John Kerry.

July 7, 2021