It's a tone thing. It's more measured. DeSantis did extremely well among Latinos. He isn't saying racist shit every week.
What do you think Florida Democrats are like? They care about abortion as much as anybody in the other states. It was the only thing they could really run on here. DeSantis will have to come out with a moderate right-wing position on abortion. It might be further to the left than what FL passed, but he will support some restrictions to please the base. I think they will take Grahams bill and add exceptions for rape and incest to it. Then they will have a right (but not extremely right) stance to the Roe v. Wade status quo. The reason why Trump did well in the Rust Belt compared to Romney was his stance on free trade. It was the "they took yer jobs" pitch. However, I think he mostly lost voters in 2020, because of tone, not actual policy. DeSantis is more measured and could easily win back AZ, GA, and WI. That's enough to put him over the top. If it's DeSantis vs. Biden the only way I see DeSantis losing is if Trump continues to sabotage him after the primary (which is certainly possible and maybe even probable).
More religiously conservative. Which is what exactly? And what is gonna do about his past when he signed a bill that allowed no exceptions for rape or incest? Just words unless he pushes to change the current state law, that stink is never gonna leave him. Outside of the conservative bubble, he has zero charisma, just your average conservative Republican with average speaking skills. Also his policies aren't popular at a national level.
That's what you are hoping for, unless there is a national law guaranteeing abortion rights, conservative electoral bleeding will continue.
I think you're right about the lack of charisma, but I think his tough talking (without seeming unhinged) is a plus for politics. However, neither party has acceptable ultra-charismatic candidates right now. Not on the level of Reagan, Clinton, Obama, or Trump.
Question is, how much of that tough talking works at the national level especially with the record he carries. It could be a liability later on, the ads will make him look like a mean guy who wants to force rape victims to give birth.
Robert Costa: “Dark time in Trump’s inner circle. Spoke to several longtime friends, donors, and aides in the past 24 hours. Many say he’s listening to very few people, isolated, and meanspirited about his potential rivals. Several of them say they’re tired of his rants and are avoiding him.” Said one adviser: “I have never seen him more irresponsible and chaotic then he is today. He seems to be in self-destruct mode. It is irresponsible to attack DeSantis and Youngkin, and it’s irresponsible to announce in any time in the near future.”