
<p>Over the years, I have followed a number of politicians who hinted at running for President of the United States only to demur at the last moment. ; Mostly they were driven by a desire to keep their names in the news and their influence at a peak. ; It is the same reason that President Biden says he is running for re-election in 2024 – even though public sentiment and pundit predictions are heavily weighted against his running – or winning if he does.</p>



<p>President Trump has been sending out signals that he is preparing for a return to the Oval Office in 2024. ; Whether he will run – or can win – is far from certain.</p>



<p>The most formidable potential candidate for 2024 is Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. ; He is a very popular governor in a very important state – ironically, the same state that Trump now calls HIS home.</p>



<p>As is his nature, Trump measures a person based on how that person fits into his current plans. ; Trump never develops long-term friendships – personal or political. ; Consequently, DeSantis – who was described as “close to Trump” appears to be falling out of favor with the former President.</p>



<p>The reason is simple. ; DeSantis is not only being mentioned as a potential presidential candidate in 2024 but there are also those who see the possibility of the Florida Governor actually entering the race against Trump. ; On that possibility alone, Trump is starting to bad-mouth DeSantis – at least in private.</p>



<p>Trump seems also bothered that in various Republican straw polls, DeSantis is right up there with Trump in terms of popularity with the GOP base. ; In a couple of polls, he took first place away from Trump.</p>



<p>For his part, DeSantis has done nothing to discourage speculation about a 2024 bid for the presidency. ; He has been seen travelling to key primary states for speeches and get-acquainted sessions with Party leaders.</p>



<p>Trump tries to indirectly diminish DeSantis as a potential opponent by telling folks that DeSantis is nothing special – and would never have been elected Governor were it not for Trump’s endorsement.</p>



<p>In reality, DeSantis was – and arguably still is – a much more popular political figure than Trump – even in Florida. ; DeSantis was a very popular member of Congress – having served from 2013 to 2018, when he was elected Governor.</p>



<p>Trump has every reason to worry about DeSantis. ; I have expressed my opinion in the past that he would beat Trump in the race for the GOP presidential nomination – and even beat Trump in Florida. ; I have also said that DeSantis should run – and that he should announce immediately, ahead of a definitive statement by Trump.</p>



<p>Trump cannot flip on DeSantis as he has on so many other leading Republican figures – including Vice President Pence, former Attorney General William Barr, and his own former UN Ambassador Nicki Haley. ; DeSantis is already too popular with the base. ; Treating DeSantis like a traitor would only backfire on Trump.</p>



<p>If Trump is on the fence about a run for a second term, DeSantis getting into the race could push Trump to bow out. ; I personally do not believe that Trump is fully committed to another run – and the potential of losing in the primaries may be worse than not running in Trump’s view.</p>



<p>Trump cannot force DeSantis out of the race. ; The only question is whether he can scare DeSantis into taking a pass this season. ; After all, if you consider the ages of the current pretenders to the throne, DeSantis could run any time in the next 36 years. ; He would be 79 years old in 2060. ; Trump will be 78 at the time of the 2024 election – and Biden would be days away from his 82<sup>nd</sup> birthday at the time of the 2024 presidential election.</p>



<p>At this moment, DeSantis appears to have the best pathway to the presidency of any potential contender – including Trump. ; Yes, I know that Trump and Democrats proffer the argument that he has a lock on the GOP and the 2024 nomination, but I say, “not really.” ; Not only is 2024 a propitious moment for DeSantis, but it would also be a good thing for the Republican Party … and the nation.</p>



<p>Trump cannot beat DeSantis – so he cannot stop him. ; Only DeSantis can stop DeSantis.</p>



<p>So, there ‘tis. </p>



<p>Author Post Script: No sooner was this commentary uploaded than a new poll shows that DeSantis would beat Trump in the first-of-the-nation New Hampshire primary 39 to 37 percent. With Florida likely in the DeSantis camp, we are beginning to see his pathway to the presidency – or at least the closing of Trump’s.</p>

Only DeSantis can stop DeSantis
