Once hailed as the future of the Republican Party, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis now finds his national political career teetering on the brink of collapse. His struggle to transition from a rising star to a national figurehead offers a glimpse into the GOP’s internal dynamics, its lingering obsession with former President Donald Trump, and the party’s ideological tug-of-war between efficient conservatism and Trump’s volatile brand of politics.
DeSantis is currently battling the harsh winter conditions of Iowa, hoping to secure a strong second-place finish in Monday’s caucuses to keep his presidential hopes alive. Despite his earlier confidence in winning the first-in-the-nation contest, a recent Des Moines Register/NBC News/Mediacom poll suggests a slip to third place, behind former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley and far behind Trump.
Despite this setback, DeSantis remains defiant, rallying his supporters with promises of a relentless fight against all odds. However, the stakes are high for DeSantis, whose entire campaign hinges on a strong performance in Iowa. Failure here could see him follow in the footsteps of fellow Floridians Jeb Bush and Marco Rubio, whose presidential aspirations were crushed under Trump’s relentless onslaught.
DeSantis’ potential downfall could also echo that of former Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker, another conservative favorite whose political career vanished in the wake of Trump’s 2016 campaign. A poor result in Iowa could spell the end for DeSantis, especially with Haley poised to challenge Trump in the New Hampshire primary.
Despite the mounting pressure, DeSantis remains optimistic, refusing to entertain the idea of an early exit. He cites the unpredictable nature of voter turnout in extreme weather conditions and insists that his supporters are highly motivated.
DeSantis’ campaign has been marked by a series of missteps, including a disastrous campaign launch on Elon Musk’s Twitter, now known as X, and a lackluster performance that left big donors unimpressed. His campaign has also been marred by internal strife, leading to staff layoffs and a last-ditch gamble on Iowa.
However, a recent surge in Haley’s popularity has put her in a prime position to become the alternative to Trump, adding to DeSantis’ woes. During a recent CNN debate, Haley took jabs at DeSantis over his use of private jets and his declining poll numbers, a far cry from his position a year ago.
Despite these setbacks, DeSantis’ supporters remain hopeful, drawing parallels with former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee, former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum, and Texas Senator Ted Cruz, who all pulled off surprise victories in Iowa. Bob Vander Plaats, a prominent Iowa social conservative leader backing DeSantis, predicts a strong performance for the governor, citing a robust get-out-the-vote operation.
However, if DeSantis fails to overcome Trump, questions will be raised about his political strategy and whether he should have waited for a more opportune moment to run for president. DeSantis has hinted at an uneven playing field, suggesting that Trump is being given an easy ride by conservative media outlets.
While blaming the media is often seen as a last-ditch effort by a failing campaign, DeSantis’ supporters, like Florida state lawmaker Bob Rommel, remain steadfast in their belief. “I voted for Trump in the general election. But I won’t be voting for him in this general election. I will be voting for Ron DeSantis,” Rommel said.