Governor Ron DeSantis of Florida is making waves in the race for the 2024 Republican nomination for president. After visiting Iowa last week, DeSantis is continuing his campaign push by promoting his new book “The Courage to Be Free: Florida’s Blueprint for America’s Revival” and getting noticed by Fox News. His strategy appears to be based on an electability argument—that he is MAGA, like Trump, but without his toxicity to moderate Republicans and independents.[0]
DeSantis has been able to build a substantial amount of momentum in his campaign, with some even suggesting he could become the most credible potential Republican presidential contender after Trump himself.[1] However, his challenge now is to test the limits of how hard right he can go without undermining his rationale for running in the first place.[2] This is a risk in a primary in which Republican voters are desperate to nominate a candidate who can win.[0]
Fox News mentions of DeSantis outpaced Trump for the first time this year, which could be a sign of things to come.[3] However, it is still too early to tell who the front runner is for the Republican nomination.[4] We will have to wait and see how the polls progress, and what other contenders DeSantis will have to go up against.
0. “Ron DeSantis has a Florida problem – POLITICO” POLITICO, 16 Mar. 2023, https://www.politico.com/news/2023/03/16/ron-desantis-florida-problem-2024-gop-primary-00087326
1. “Colbert Mocks Fox’s ‘Literal Softball Interview’ With DeSantis” The Daily Beast, 15 Mar. 2023, https://www.thedailybeast.com/stephen-colbert-mocks-foxs-literal-softball-interview-with-ron-desantis
2. “Media wonder if DeSantis is too popular to become president” Washington Examiner, 17 Mar. 2023, https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/media-wonder-if-desantis-is-too-popular-to-become-president
3. “MSNBC’s Ari Melber cites Media Matters’ study showing Fox News’ increased attention to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis” Media Matters for America, 14 Mar. 2023, https://www.mediamatters.org/msnbc/msnbcs-ari-melber-cites-media-matters-study-showing-fox-news-increased-attention-florida-gov
4. “Was the DeSantis visit to California proof of his top status in the GOP?: Letters” The San Gabriel Valley Tribune, 13 Mar. 2023, https://www.sgvtribune.com/2023/03/13/was-the-desantis-visit-to-california-proof-of-his-top-status-in-the-gop-letters
