Is Ron DeSantis still presidential material?

[brucejoel99]

As a citizen of the state of Florida who pretty much had no qualms with DeSantis (except for the implementation of Amendment 4) prior to COVID, no.

[brucejoel99]

I always thought people were overreacting to DeSantis anyway. What makes him remarkable?

Young, charismatic, from a swing state, appeals to Trumpists without being crazy once in office (though his incompetence on COVID has arguably been borne out of a need to continue appealing to Trumpists).

[brucejoel99]

The dude only won because his opponent was black

No, Gillum didn't lose because of the color of his skin. Say what you may about Florida, but it wasn't racism that was to blame for his loss. He lost because Florida voters (unfortunately) decided that they didn't want his brand of progressive leftism in our Governor's Mansion in Tallahassee.

[brucejoel99]

Probably not.  There's a long history of very popular governors getting talked up for the WH and then either flaming out in scandal or just overstaying their welcome at the state level (Howard Dean, Mario Cuomo, Christie in NJ, McDonnell in VA, Pawlenty in MN, Walker in WI, Strickland in Ohio).

At this point I think DeSantis just loses to Fried in 2022.

In the scenario where he is most likely to win a 2nd term (an unpopular Biden presidency with a long term weak economy), the 2024 GOP primary will not favor a cheery pro-business Sunbelt suburbs campaign, but rather someone who can out populist Biden, including getting to his left on some economic issues to pick up some of the more socially conservative Bernie voters.

Fried is a great candidate, but the Agriculture Commissioner seat is at risk of flipping if she gives it up after one term. I think she’ll probably wait for 2026 when she’s term limited or run for Senate in 2024.

If Gwen Graham runs, she probably clears the field quickly and Fried would have no reason to challenge her.

Ehhh... vaguely rural flavored retreads have accomplished absolutely nothing for Sunbelt Dems in recent times (Bredesen, Edmondson, Perriello, Stacey Evans, Graham in 2018, etc.).  Better to go with the known quantity who won with the new coalition.

She's not really a "retread" so to speak considering we haven't even ran her statewide yet (remember, she only left her initial political office - Congress - to run in 2018 for Governor in the first place), & the feeling of regret for the upset that was picking Gillum over her could probably propel her to a victory in the Democratic primary.

[brucejoel99]

Yes, definitely presidential caliber and he will run in 2024/28.  Being a governor of Florida confers an immediate advantage in terms of name recognition/fundraising. 

I think so as well. He's doing a great job down here. The people here on the forum complaining him aren't even in Florida. My life has barely changed at all since this started. I only wear a mask for five minutes a day. Only one person I vaguely know got sick (my youngest brother's teacher) but she recovered and school had already been canceled.

The lockdown's precedents are very alarming to me. DeSantis can lead the way by following Kemp's lead, but he is smart enough to know that it should be done in phases.

Hello.