With plummeting poll numbers and dwindling donor support, some are already writing off Ron DeSantis’ 2024 presidential campaign. However, despite recent setbacks, there is still a path for him to become the Republican nominee.
It’s important to remember that fortunes in presidential primaries can shift rapidly. With more than six months to go until the Iowa caucuses, there are plenty of opportunities for DeSantis to turn the tides.
DeSantis’ broad appeal throughout the Republican party, coupled with his strong favorability ratings, could still make him a formidable contender. His focus on issues like “woke” culture and pandemic restrictions also has broad appeal in his party. The factors that made him a top prospect early on could still prove more significant than recent missteps.
While DeSantis’ campaign has suffered setbacks, it’s important to note that primary elections have a history of surprising comebacks. unknown candidates like Herman Cain have briefly become front-runners, while early favorites like Joe Biden and John McCain have been written off and come back to win. Even Barack Obama struggled and trailed behind “inevitable” Hillary Clinton for six months.
DeSantis’ recent decline can also be attributed to his campaign strategy of avoiding conflict with former President Trump and positioning himself as the “Trumpism without Trump” candidate. However, this strategy has caused him to lose some of his supporters to Trump, who commands over 50% of support in the polls. Still, with no other viable moderate candidate in the race, DeSantis remains the only contender for those voters who want an alternative to Trump.
The media loves a comeback story, and with expectations low for DeSantis’ campaign, a successful attack against Trump could breathe new life into his candidacy. And while defeating Trump may be a long shot, a DeSantis win in Iowa could at least crack Trump’s base.
Ultimately, it’s too soon to count DeSantis out. With time still on his side, he could easily regain momentum and become the Republican nominee.
