Florida's DeSantis positions himself as Trump's heir to the White House

[BUtterfield 8 41,816]

Ron DeSantis wouldn't be governor of Florida without Donald Trump.

The then-president's endorsement in 2018 turned a young congressman into the runaway winner of a Republican primary that featured a far more seasoned establishment favorite, Adam Putnam. Not quite three years later, many in the party see DeSantis as the person best positioned to carry on Trump's legacy as their national standard-bearer in 2024.

It's been a fast rise — and an even faster seesaw of political fortunes, considering where DeSantis' reputation was early in the coronavirus crisis. He was ridiculed and second-guessed for rejecting mask mandates and reopening businesses. His approach was compared, unfavorably, to other governors from both parties, including now-embattled Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo of New York. DeSantis' popularity in Florida cratered.

But Florida has, since the beginning of the pandemic, seen fewer per-capita coronavirus cases and deaths than many states, including many that instituted the more restrictive measures. And DeSantis' poll numbers are rebounding a year ahead of his re-election bid. A Mason-Dixon Polling & Strategy survey last month found him with a 53 percent job-approval rating.

"I think he's the odds-on favorite to be the next president," if Trump doesn't run again, said Joe Gruters, a Florida state senator and chairman of the state Republican Party.

Such declarations can't be discounted as parochialism in a state where two other Republicans — Sens. Marco Rubio and Rick Scott — nurture White House ambitions. Nationally, the picture is similarly encouraging for DeSantis.

At last month's Conservative Political Action Conference for hardcore GOP activists, he finished second to Trump in one presidential straw poll and first in another from which the former president was excluded. A recent survey by Tony Fabrizio, Trump's chief pollster in 2016 and 2020, showed DeSantis and several others competing for second place in a field led by the former president and showed the governor tied with former Vice President Mike Pence as the second choice among Trump's supporters. Rubio and Scott both ranked near the bottom.

"When you look under the hood of those numbers, DeSantis garners a lot of support from Trump voters in the absence of Trump," Fabrizio said. "As the media beat him up as the anti-Cuomo and DeSantis stood up for himself, voters liked that. They associate that type of scrappiness and speaking your mind with President Trump. He is inheriting a lot of that."

Allies say DeSantis, who did not respond to requests for comment, relishes an adversarial relationship with a press that they believe has rendered him a Republican martyr, precisely the type who can position himself as heir to the Trump mantle. Those who work in or around his political orbit insist he is focused first on 2022 but acknowledge the temptations of 2024.

"Ron DeSantis has quickly become the most recognizable Republican governor in the country, and I think that only bodes well for both his re-election and what he wants to do after that," said Brad Herold, DeSantis' 2018 campaign manager.

Donors outside Florida are eager to get in on the ground floor, said Nick Iarossi, a Tallahassee lobbyist and DeSantis fundraiser.

"I've been doing this for 20 years," Iarossi said, "and you normally don't have prominent donors from other states reaching out and saying, 'Hey, how do I meet this guy? How do I support him? I think he's going to be president one day, and I want to get to know him now. I want to support him for his 2022 election to make sure he wins if we need him running in 2024.'"

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[Better Day 5,766]

That honour has already went to Boris Johnson. 

[bionic 50,111]

I think he's likely to get the nomination. but the problem in the general election will be (like Trump) people will point at his COVID handling and think "do we really want more of that?"

[HuffsAhoy 7,433]

I really don't understand what happened to Ron DeSantis. I voted for him in the governor's race in 2018 because I felt he was the better choice than the now disgraced Andrew Gillum. During the first year or so of his tenure he ran the state pretty great. But right when covid hit, it's like he overdosed on crazy pills. Now he's bat shiz crazy. That was the first and last time I ever vote red. Lesson learned. 

[stevana229 1,916]

I literally saw videos of spring breakers lighting things on fire and destroying property in Florida. Also heard certain cities are back on lockdown after a new variant of Covid was detected after spring break. 

[bionic 50,111]

28 minutes ago, HuffsAhoy said:

I really don't understand what happened to Ron DeSantis. I voted for him in the governor's race in 2018 because I felt he was the better choice than the now disgraced Andrew Gillum. During the first year or so of his tenure he ran the state pretty great. But right when covid hit, it's like he overdosed on crazy pills. Now he's bat shiz crazy. That was the first and last time I ever vote red. Lesson learned. 

He began thinking “what next in my career”, started eying up the presidency and decided to devote himself to Trumpism.

[HuffsAhoy 7,433]

10 minutes ago, stevana229 said:

I literally saw videos of spring breakers lighting things on fire and destroying property in Florida. Also heard certain cities are back on lockdown after a new variant of Covid was detected after spring break. 

The city of Miami established a curfew and has restricted access to certain parts of the city. But that was not in response to covid cases, it was in response to the massive crowds descending on the city. If you ask me it was very reactive of the leaders. They should have been better prepared to deal with the influx of visitors. Now they've got to lay in the soiled bed they made themselves. 

[Lion Heart 15,041]

Would not be surprised if Trump chooses him as his running mate in 2024.

[imnotyourbabe10 6,120]

We hate to see it. 
Definitely concerned the US is getting competent fascism after Biden.  Longing for the day we don't have to worry as much about politics.  The last 5-6 years has been exhausting for this leftist (though every neoliberal is just as exhausting, to be sure).  Anyone else want to join me in Costa Rica?  I hear they are at least friendly to Americans retiring.

[HuffsAhoy 7,433]

15 minutes ago, imnotyourbabe10 said:

Longing for the day we don't have to worry as much about politics.

Unfortunately, there really hasn't been a period in American history where we were able to not pay attention to politics. The situation just seems more dire now after 4 years of a rampaging lunatic. 

[gypsy101 5,453]

1 hour ago, Miss Dolly said:

That honour has already went to Boris Johnson. 

....he’s British

[Better Day 5,766]

Just now, gypsy101 said:

....he’s British

He was born in the US. Technically, he is eligible to be US president. 

[PartySick 172,417]

1 hour ago, HuffsAhoy said:

I really don't understand what happened to Ron DeSantis. I voted for him in the governor's race in 2018 because I felt he was the better choice than the now disgraced Andrew Gillum. During the first year or so of his tenure he ran the state pretty great. But right when covid hit, it's like he overdosed on crazy pills. Now he's bat shiz crazy. That was the first and last time I ever vote red. Lesson learned. 

Our votes cancelled each other

God help us if DeSantis, Rubio, or Scott ever gets into the White House.

[HuffsAhoy 7,433]

6 minutes ago, PartySick said:

Our votes cancelled each other

God help us if DeSantis, Rubio, or Scott ever gets into the White House.

Honestly I am more worried about DeSantis getting the top seat. I don't think enough people like Rubio or Scott for them to make it that far. 

[gypsy101 5,453]

48 minutes ago, Miss Dolly said:

He was born in the US. Technically, he is eligible to be US president. 

🤮🤮🤮🤮