Are people still underestimating Rick Scott? The guy is obviously very ambitious and pretty ruthless, has a somewhat similar background to Trump which would appeal to many Republican primary (and swing) voters (self-funding, wealthy businessman running as an outsider/job creator against "the establishment" and status quo), and already has experience beating establishment candidates and navigating close elections. I feel like he’s already set his sights on or at least strongly considered a 2024 campaign (he even ran an anti-Biden in Iowa this year). Whether you like him or not, he’s a skilled campaigner and knows how to adapt to changing circumstances and different races. He’s certainly capable of tapping into the Trumpist elements of the party without alienating too many other parts of the base.
All good points. However, Scott has a bad environmental record (unlike DeSantis in a world where more and younger GOPers are pro-environment) and screwed up the unemployment benefits system in Florida. DeSantis might also be better suited to tap into the Trumpy-elements of the party, and he'll be 47 in 2024, the perfect contrast against dinosaurs like Trump/Biden. Also a Governor is arguably more attractive to voters than a Senator (Scott was the former gov but that will be distant by 2023).
If DeSantis wins re-election and doesn't suffer a Christie-esque decline, he has a much better shot than Scott. Of course, Ronny's youth allows him to wait until 28 or 32 if 2024 turns out to be a bad cycle, there could be a backdoor agreement where he endorses Scott out the gate to avoid a mutually destructive fight if the GOP will lose anyway.
