“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”
Since the announcement of Ron DeSantis’ candidacy for President — multiple storylines have emerged, one theme that’s prevalent throughout these storylines is that his candidacy announcement has been highly anticipated with great ardor from many pundits. Have it been positive or negative press, the swirl of excitement around his announcement has been something to behold. I mean, it is very rare to have such excitement generated by a candidate and has only happened a few times in American history.
It was his announcement ad that initially struck me, I thought it was good, even though some thought it was boring. I was immediately struck by the first scene walking through a curtain into a large open space, the camera trailing him, as he describes the troubling situation America is in under the current administration. I don’t know if it was the aesthetic of the commercial, or what I have heard from political analysts, but I immediately thought that Ron DeSantis is The Man in the Arena.
Man in the Arena
Perhaps one of the most powerful speeches in modern history. It was delivered by Theodore Roosevelt on April 23, 1910, at the Sorbonne in Paris. The speech has since become one of his most recognizable due to its messages of courage, perseverance, and determination in the face of adversity. The central theme of the speech revolves around the idea that true credit and honor belong to those individuals who are actively engaged in the arena of life, striving valiantly to achieve their goals, despite the risk of failure and criticism. Roosevelt uses vivid imagery to depict the contrast between those who take action and those who passively observe or criticize from the sidelines.
Providing some of the greatest quotes in modern history, the brilliance of this speech is not so much about the power of the words but the humbleness of failure that shines through as something ultimately human. Roosevelt recognizes that those who dare greatly may stumble, fall, or even fail, but he asserts that their efforts are commendable. He dismisses the opinions of critics who are not actively engaged in the same struggles, emphasizing that their words lack substance and significance compared to the experiences of those who face challenges head-on.
Let’s look at the first quote at the top of this piece at what Roosevelt is saying here. Roosevelt begins by dismissing the significance of critics who passively observe and criticize the efforts of others. He suggests that it is easy for someone to point out the flaws or shortcomings of those who take action, but such criticism lacks substance and does not contribute to the real work being done. Furthermore, he recognizes that those who strive valiantly will inevitably make mistakes and fall short of their goals. He emphasizes that making errors and experiencing shortcomings is an inherent part of putting in sincere effort.
Imperfection highlights that progress and growth often come through learning from these mistakes and failures. Roosevelt suggests that credit and respect should not be reserved for those who achieve perfection but rather for those who persevere despite their setbacks.
“To judge a man merely by success is an abhorrent wrong; and if the people at large habitually so judge men, if they grow to condone wickedness because the wicked man triumphs, they show their inability to understand that in the last analysis free institutions rest upon the character of citizenship, and that by such admiration of evil they prove themselves unfit for liberty. The homely virtues of the household, the ordinary workaday virtues which make the woman a good housewife and housemother, which make the man a hard worker, a good husband and father, a good soldier at need, stand at the bottom of character.”
The official name of this speech is called “Citizenship in a Republic,” and one of the key points discussed is the role of a citizen in this experiment of democracy. Roosevelt criticizes the tendency to judge individuals solely based on their success or achievements, especially as a citizenry. He argues that such judgment is fundamentally flawed and morally wrong. If people consistently evaluate others solely on their accomplishments, they risk overlooking the character and values that underpin a truly just and free society. Roosevelt, instead, highlights the significance of everyday virtues that contribute to the foundation of ethical character. He emphasizes the importance of qualities like honesty, diligence, responsibility, and integrity which are cultivated within the home and workplace. The role of the father, the mother, the worker, or the student is just as important as the role of a president, senator, or congressman.
This quote conveys Roosevelt’s belief that character and virtue should be the primary criteria for judging individuals, rather than simply looking at their external success or accomplishments. He warns against a society that condones wickedness in pursuing triumph, as it undermines the foundations of liberty and free institutions.
From reading these quotes and analyses, you observe some similarities between our modern political discourse and the candidacy shaping up for the 2024 election. Ultimately, Man in the Arena serves as a timeless reminder of the importance of taking action, facing challenges head-on, and persevering in the pursuit of one’s goals. It continues to resonate with individuals across generations, inspiring them to overcome fear and criticism and to lead lives of purpose and courage.
Why is Ron DeSantis the Man in the Arena?
Ron DeSantis rose to national prominence from his actions during the covid-19 pandemic. With one look at my previous blogs, you will know where I stand on covid and which side I align with relating to the covid response. I have been a DeSantis fan for a long time, but I think it is vital to look at a candidate critically and see how their governance can be analyzed further. Given the social, political, economic, and health characteristics impacted by covid worldwide, this is a topic of keen interest to make this comparison. But it is more than covid; overall, Ron DeSantis embodies many aspects outlined in Roosevelt’s speech.
Roosevelt discusses taking decisive action “Woe to the empty phrase-maker, to the empty idealist, who, instead of making ready the ground for the man of action.” DeSantis has been known for his proactive approach to governance. He has implemented policies and initiatives addressing the issues facing Florida, such as environmental conservation, education reform, and economic development. He has shown a willingness to make difficult decisions and take a stand on contentious issues, even in the face of criticism.
A central theme of the speech is facing challenges head-on. DeSantis has endured various challenges, including natural disasters like hurricanes (in which he was massively successful — in the face of criticism), public health crises like covid-19, and confronting political opposition to stake his claim. He has demonstrated the ability to confront these challenges directly, making tough decisions and providing leadership during critical moments. Competency comes to mind with DeSantis, his ability to lead and manage — sometimes at the behest of pundits — and do what is right is the embodiment of the man in the arena.
Speaking of the “behest of pundits,” DeSantis has been masterful at weathering criticism. Being the prominent political figure he is, DeSantis has encountered his fair share of criticism from opponents and the media. However, he has shown resilience and the ability to withstand scrutiny and remain focused on his goals. Like the “Man in the Arena,” he has not allowed the criticism to deter him from taking action and pursuing the policies he believes are in the best interest of Florida.
An example of this is the signing of the six-week Abortion Ban. I know this is an unpopular stance, but his humility shines through by seeing himself as a temporary representative of the State of Florida, not King Midas with a golden decree. By temporary, I mean: Florida was here before Ron DeSantis, and Florida will be here long after Ron DeSantis, and his role as a temporary presiding officer over the state of Florida is reflected here. This type of attitude is needed in the halls of presidential power today. After all, the name president means to preside for a short time over a governance structure in a republic.
One of the most important themes of Roosevelt’s speech is emphasizing action over rhetoric. DeSantis is praised by his supporters for his emphasis on practical solutions and tangible results — examples include covid, school choice, environmental conservation, and classical American civic values. He has implemented policies and reforms based on his conservative principles with populist action, which resonates with the people of Florida who appreciate his focus on action and outcomes.
I think an important aspect of the Roosevelt speech, and the best example relating to DeSantis’ humility, is best shown through a video.
What would you call this? Perhaps a certain primary opponent from Florida would call this weak and offer a strange claim to have never cried. Perhaps a challenger from the state of California, who is so cold and politically narcissistic, sees this as a massive error, even though he continued to lock down seniors and keep kids out of school long after Florida. What would you expect from a soulless effete wine merchant who strongly mirrors fictional serial killer Patrick Bateman? Perhaps a leader, who does not know where he is currently, would see this as…I honestly don’t know, we’re still waiting on the results of “Trueindashedebeprezzure.” For example, compared to Joe Biden, Ron DeSantis takes a “progressive stance” with corporations like Disney, while Biden had one of the largest war chests of corporate money in presidential election history.
With DeSantis, the emotion is authentic, and with that comes humility. I think Ron DeSantis knows he may have made a mistake early on with covid, we all make mistakes, it is the ones who own up to them and push on toward success that show the real measure of character.
The Response to Ron DeSantis
Now sure, most people can find some parallel between their favorite politician to any famous speech in history to make them sound good — fair enough. The good thing about Man in the Arena is that Roosevelt shows us who we should aspire to be; also, who we should not aspire to be. Is it the “wicked man” or the critic, perhaps the people who don’t see civic virtue in things like family and community? Opponents may read this and think “This is Ron DeSantis, he is the wicked man.” Really? What evidence do you have of this? That he wasn’t an authoritarian vetoing the six-week abortion ban, something I disagree with personally, but it was something his citizens wanted. Perhaps, that he passed a bill (again, by the people of Florida) that prohibit public schools from having “classroom discussion” or giving “classroom instruction” about sexual orientation or gender identity from kindergarten through third grade? Regardless what you think, action against these stances on abortion and school instruction are virtuous stances regardless of personal feelings. Promotion of authoritarianism and pedophilia are not virtuous stances. End of story.
Opponents may think that their politician is the man in the arena, but without evidence to point out what is virtuousness or good they provide. Is Joe Biden good for creating a humanitarian crisis on the border, and ruining the economy through his failed climate policies? (Yes, they are failed climate policies, read a book from Bjorn Lomberg, Michael Shellenberger, or Steve Koonin) Is the media good for the outright lies told against him? Perhaps it is the juvenile attempts by former president Trump — which can be funny at times — but juvenile nonetheless to goad DeSantis into the slop? Roosevelt points out this concept of critics.
“A cynical habit of thought and speech, a readiness to criticize work which the critic himself never tries to perform, an intellectual aloofness which will not accept contact with life’s realities – all these are marks, not as the possessor would fain to think, of superiority but of weakness.”
Not only primary opponents like Trump but potential general election opponents like Joe Biden display these characteristics. Biden and Trump alike are notable rhetorical windbags without providing results or suggesting that they can “complete” a task without evidence of that completion. The most glaring example is Trump with the border wall, but also Biden with his economy, or how Biden attempts to ‘talk tough’ about his past only to be proven wrong. This is what Roosevelt is pointing out as negative traits, often perceived as marks of superiority, that are indicative of weakness.
“A readiness to criticize work which the critic himself never tries to perform.” This part highlights the act of criticizing the work of others without having firsthand experience or attempting to do the same work oneself. This behavior can be seen as a weakness because it lacks the understanding and empathy that comes from personal involvement. Both Trump and Biden have shown ineffectiveness in how they govern — such as both failing with covid response and DeSantis being wildly successful — still claim to try and bash DeSantis for his response. This is a glaring sign of intellectual aloofness — Roosevelt’s words, not mine.
I don’t think it is fair to say there is a bias when potential leaders that DeSantis will go up against — either Democrat or Republican — have shown their lack of virtue in many instances, compared with no clear lack of virtue from DeSantis, regardless of your political disagreements of him. One example, DeSantis wants Ukraine and Russia to broker peace with one other and end human suffering, all while other mainstream Republicans, the Biden Administration, and the NATO military-industrial complex want to send more money (to the tune of billions of dollars) to Ukraine for a pointless war. This transfer of public funds is happening all while your countrymen and women starve with exorbitant prices at the pump and the grocery store. You still may disagree, but I welcome to be challenged on this, nonetheless.
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In summation, when considering the Governor of Florida’s active engagement in political leadership and his willingness to face challenges and criticism. Ron DeSantis is not just a favorited politician who connects to Roosevelt’s speech, he actually embodies the characteristics of the speech far more than any other leader in history — perhaps since Teddy Roosevelt himself.
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