Ron DeSantis faces real challenges for 2024 presidential election race
Ron DeSantis faces real challenges for 2024 presidential election race
During DeSantis’ evening address inside the venue, the governor was heckled by at least one very vocal Trump supporter.
A Rising Star
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has emerged as a rising star in the Republican Party, with many speculating that he will be the party's presidential nominee in 2024. His potential candidacy, however, is not without controversy, particularly in light of his relationship with former President Donald Trump.
DeSantis has been in the public eye for some time, but his political career took off when he was elected governor of Florida in 2018. He has since gained national attention for his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic in his state, which many conservatives have praised as an example of effective crisis leadership.
DeSantis' strong support among Republican voters is one of the reasons he is being mentioned as a possible presidential candidate. DeSantis was the top choice for president in a recent poll conducted by CPAC, a conservative political action committee. In a recent poll of Florida voters, he received high approval ratings.
Another factor in DeSantis' favor is his ability to appeal to both the Trump wing and the more traditional conservative wing of the party. Both the Club for Growth, a fiscally conservative organization, and the MAGA Coalition, a pro-Trump organization, have endorsed him. Because of his broad appeal, he could be a strong candidate in the Republican primaries.
Can DeSantis Sway the Trump Base?
DeSantis' relationship with Trump, on the other hand, is complicated. On the one hand, he has been a vocal supporter of the former president, and Trump has publicly praised DeSantis. On the other hand, the two men have had some disagreements, particularly over DeSantis' handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.
DeSantis has taken a more hands-off approach to the pandemic than Trump, refusing to impose a statewide mask mandate and urging businesses and schools to reopen as soon as possible. Some have criticized him for this, especially since Florida was one of the states hardest hit by the pandemic.
Trump has also criticized DeSantis on several occasions. He questioned DeSantis' decision to accept federal aid for Florida's unemployment system in a recent interview, saying the state "could have done it themselves."
Despite these disagreements, DeSantis has remained a staunch Trump supporter, and the former president is said to have been impressed with his handling of the pandemic. However, it is unclear whether Trump will endorse DeSantis if he decides to run for president himself.
Who does DeSantis have to face-off?
If DeSantis decides to run, he will face tough competition in the Republican primary. Several other prominent Republicans, including former Vice President Mike Pence, Senators Ted Cruz and Tom Cotton, and former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, are also considering runs.\
DeSantis' chances of winning the nomination will be largely determined by his ability to appeal to both the Trump base and the party's more traditional conservative wing. He'll also need to establish a strong national fundraising network and craft a clear message that appeals to Republican voters.
Can DeSantis sway democrat voters?
If DeSantis wins the nomination, he will face the daunting task of facing off against the Democratic nominee in the general election. This could be especially difficult if the Democratic nominee is someone like Vice President Kamala Harris or California Governor Gavin Newsom, both of whom have strong support from voters in key swing states.
So, what are DeSantis' chances of becoming the Republican Party's face and supplanting Trump as the de facto leader? At this point, it's difficult to say. Much will depend on the political landscape in 2024, as well as Trump's decision to run again.
However, if DeSantis decides to run and navigates the challenges of the primary season successfully, he could be a formidable opponent for any Democratic nominee. He has established himself as a skilled politician and effective leader.