Don't Count Ron DeSantis Out

Real Clear Politics | WSJ ^ | May 1, 2023 | Mark Penn, Wall Street Journal

[conservative98]

Can Ron DeSantis beat Donald Trump? In the game of presidential politics, well-known front-runners often falter and up-and-comers often win—Barack Obama beat Hillary Clinton, and Jimmy Carter came from nowhere to beat establishment figures such as Rep. Mo Udall and Sen. Henry “Scoop” Jackson. When Mr. Trump was the challenger, he polished off Jeb Bush, the Florida governor who once led the pack.

The DeSantis ship is clearly listing and must right itself. I wouldn’t normally give advice to a Republican candidate, but someone has to stop Donald Trump from regaining the presidency, and I wouldn’t count on President Biden to do it given his low job-approval rating and widespread doubts about his fitness. Mr. Trump leads Mr. Biden in the RealClearPolitics polling average. A Trump-Biden rematch is a risky proposition, and with the Democrats consolidated around Mr. Biden, the only way to avoid it is through the Republican primary.

[cut]

For Mr. DeSantis to make progress, he has to realize he can’t get the “ultra-MAGA” voters that are Mr. Trump’s base and should go instead after more-moderate voters who are looking for someone who can cure the economy and stand up for their interests. While his attacks on Disney are popular among some, and a six-week abortion ban plays to part of the Republican base, these positions have damaged Mr. DeSantis’s chances at courting the middle. As with Mr. Biden in 2020, the core of the DeSantis argument is that he is more electable than Mr. Trump because he can attract the votes of moderate suburban women and Latinos. The more rightward Mr. DeSantis shifts, the more he loses primary support. There are plenty of moderates among Republican primary voters. They nominated John McCain and Mitt Romney, after all.

[conservative98]

"Mr. DeSantis has been swinging for social conservatives, which has alienated centrist and liberal voters while failing to take any voters from Trump.

[cut]

To get back in the game, Mr. DeSantis has to put cultural issues to the side and run on character...the strong character of a family man who cares for his wife, a cancer survivor..."

[conservative98]

Now Ive seen it all. Kinda blows the whole @NvrBackDown24 electability argument.

Don’t Count Ron DeSantis Out by @Mark_Penn https://t.co/fVAFQSnw5e— Chris LaCivita (@LaCivitaC) April 30, 2023

[Bobalu]

The Bush camp is rooting for him.

yippee

(please clap)

[Kazan]

He's anywhere from 30 to 46 points behind. He caved to the Republican establishment on the Ukraine war. He's got the charisma of potted plant.

In the battle for 2028, Vivek Ramaswamy is more likely to emerge as the frontrunner as DeSantis is to win the nomination in 2024.

[Dr. Sivana]

There are plenty of moderates among Republican primary voters. They nominated John McCain and Mitt Romney, after all.

How did that work out? It isn't 2008. A Social Conservative today isn't someone shutting down online gambling, it is someone who is against cutting off children's private parts without parental permission.

[BrexitBen]

Mark Penn, the author of this piece, is a self-described “ Democrat political strategist “.

Ron DeSantis is the darling of the Democrats and the neo-cons. When he runs in 2028, he needs to have these 2 groups as enemies, not supporters.

[aMorePerfectUnion]

So far, Ron seems to be following the path of Gov. Scott Walker, who was all the rage in 2016... until his campaign died in a whimper...

[CMailBag]

I suspected that he was from the Bush, Cheney, Paul Ryan Camp..

[Erik Latranyi]

DeSantis gave up Disney money to fight the groomers.
DeSantis gave up donor money to sign a 6 week abortion ban.

Yeah, he seems to be in the pocket of the moderates.

[TomGuy]

but someone has to stop Donald Trump from regaining the presidency

Media biased propaganda.

[Carriage Hill]

I just have an awful feeling we’re going to get 4 more years of Bidet&Co... the demonKKKrats are so adept at election fraud and corruption, and we’re not even in their league.

I sure hope I’m wrong.

[Responsibility2nd]

I’ve been saying this for months:

All DeSantis needs to do is wait. Wait until Trump self immolates and removes himself from the picture.

Then walk in and pick up the pieces.

[Mr. K]

DeSantis seem=s to be backed by the deep state. Trump voters won’t like that. We are enthusiastic Trump supporters.

Obama had the enthusiastic democrats on his side. HilLIARy just thought she deserved it.

[windsorknot]

Yes, only Trump deserves to run for President.

[laplata]

None of this matters because they’ll steal elections from now on because voter integrity has not been restored. It’s basically a waste of time.

[laplata]

You’re right.

[wiseprince]

Everyone pointing to Obama beating Hilary...She was very unlikable and he was very likable. He had a good personality, he was self deprecating st times, could be funny and drop a solid off the cuff remark. Conservatives don’t like his politics so can’t see the things he’s good at and has going for him (much like never Trumpers). Desanctimonius is EXTREMELY unlikable. The name is actually very fitting. I think Vivek and Nikki will come across much better than him in the debates. Of course I could be wrong but this is how I see it right now.

[stanne]

WSJ. They wish

The only path for Ron DeSantis is via some underhanded crap.

DeSantis’s donors, whoever is running his non campaign can’t wait till 2028. Back Trump. Work with him. Walk into the WH (after his very young kids are in HS)

Why not?

[JonPreston]

I have no idea why these politicians don’t listen to you.