The general campaign atmospherics have shifted a bit since DeSantis started down this "debate Newsom" road. DeSantis's campaign strategy was originally based on the idea that he was going to be the King Of Anti-woke so any head-on with Newsom is an area where he would shine. Not saying that approach does not still have some legs but even his own supporters and donors fault him increasingly for being a one-trick pony. It's still okay for some applause and support but a bit past its prime too. DeSantis has been off thinking about Disney and drag queens for the last couple years. Not sure how he can handle himself if someone asks how he thinks China's deteriorating economy will impact Taiwan. We had a little taste of that early on when someone asked him where he stood on Ukraine and he flopped something out that only got a two on the meter so he re-spun it for days to come. womp womp. Truthfully though, I don't yet understand what the pretext of the debate is. Is it a proxy debate on the presidential campaign or is it just two governors talking about state issues? Not knowing that, I don't yet know what issues are or are not on the table potentially. Newsom has been going around the country speaking as just a dem surrogate for campaign 2024. If that is his capacity in the Hannity appearance then he should be confronted with non-state issues as well.
DeSantis will be a good candidate in 2028. He went too early and it shows. There was no reason for him to run this time around.
If I’m in camp DeSantis I’d be working on getting DeSantis to show a lighter side. The guy is basically toast this cycle and just comes off as angry. That is not going to work well for him long term for him unless he is going the talk radio route. Newsom is continuing to elevate his profile and quite frankly doing what needs to be done in terms bringing a democrat message to a right wing audience.
If any candidate is unwilling to take on another candidate head on then there really is no reason for them to run.
Not to pick on Ron when he is struggling but a case can also made that this is still his best cycle to run. He seems to be struggling with donors and issues and supporters in Florida. Moreso than six months ago. So his former image as the Chosen One who can more or less be in a holding pattern as a golden boy who can choose his timing is a bit shaky. I am not saying he can win this time so run. I am saying I doubt that 2028 will be better. If ,say, Trump wins, he will probably have a Vice President that will want to run in 2028. And if Nikki Haley wins then she will want to run for a second term as well. Plus Desantis has the advantage- if he gets the nomination- of running against Biden, probably this time. If not then someone like Newsom next time for sure if not this time. Ron cannot compete against some future candidate who has a personality. Nope. He needs to do the deed this time. "No man steps into the same river twice." -Heraclitus
I know Gavin has plans on The WH but he is going to have a huge problem with progressives.We have gone further to left and are ready to live with republican presidents if we don't get what we want.Nearly every prog that I know,including myself, will not vote for a democrat if they oppose adding Judges to The SC.Gavin currently opposes expanding the court.We'll see what happens.
DC and Puerto Rico statehood is also the minimum for many progs.I know its going to be awhile for The Dem Party to take these positions which is why many progs has made peace with and expect to have republican presidents for a long time.
Haley moves into second place behind Trump in New Hampshire: poll Trump is the clear frontrunner of the Republican race, with 45 percent of likely Republican presidential primary voters, but Haley is now his closest challenger, with 15 percent — according to the survey from the Saint Anselm College Survey Center at the New Hampshire Institute of Politics (NHIOP). Haley moves into second place behind Trump in New Hampshire: poll (msn.com)
Think she'll sweep S. Carolina? It's her home state. Wasn't it wins in New Hampshire / S. Carolina that put Jeb to sleep in 2016?