The key to being “on the conservative team” is you have to be a conservative... and that’s the real crux of this, the GOPe is NOT conservative.. they want your vote, but they have little to no use for conservatism other than lip service once elected.
Until folks wake up to the fact that the Establishment GOP are just as much a part of the problem as the Democrats, and they are effectively a UNIPARTY, nothing will change.
Desantis is clearly the selected “great white whale” of the Establishment this cycle, hoping to stop Trump... it won’t work.. but it’s clear that’s who they are banking on and long term its likely to harm Desantis far more than help him.
With no Trump (OR MAGA Equivalent) in the race, Desantis would likely be a solid front runner, but with Trump in the race, there is no math that is going to give him the nomination. I think he’s foolish to be trying to take Trump on head to head... run a token campaign to build your network for a 2028 run sure... but to try to directly take him on... far more likely to do long term damage to your brand than you are to win.
I believe that for the GOP nom, it's healthy and good to have a large field of potential nominees. Let's see them all, head to head, at their very best. The debates for the GOP nom will be especially interesting and quite closely watched, that's for certain.