While such a statement might be clear now with Trump so far ahead of the rest of the Republican presidential primary field, including DeSantis, the Florida Governor has no intention of receding from the limelight.
On Thursday night, DeSantis held his long-awaited debate with California Governor Gavin Newsom – another man with obvious designs on an eventual White House run. Commenting on the debate, journalist Michael Tracey shared on X:
It's so funny that DeSantis has been reduced to debating Newsom because he has no chance of ever debating Trump
Why Choose Trump-Like DeSantis When You Can Choose Trump?
DeSantis’s goal in running for the White House this year appeared to be that he was similar to Trump in principle and policies, but would not have some of the baggage – indictments, controversial rhetoric, claims of the 2020 election being stolen – etc.
But as time passed, it turned out more Republican voters wanted the real thing instead of a reasonable facsimile.
In other words, why vote for a guy who says he’s a lot like Trump, when you can just have Trump?
When Trump was asked on Thursday how he thought DeSantis and Newsom did in their debate, he told Fox News that he thought “they both worked hard and they both did well.”
Trump reacts to DeSantis, Newsom at Red State vs Blue State debate: 'Both worked hard' https://t.co/pioeDyZ6wF
Fox News reported after the debate, “DeSantis also said Biden is ‘in decline’ and represents ‘a danger to the country.” However, Newsom stressed his support for Biden and his re-election campaign.
“I’m proud of the work Biden and Harris have done,” Newsom said. “I will take Joe Biden at 100 rather than Ron DeSantis any day of the week at any age.”
While both DeSantis and Newsom both commented on the current president, neither has any clear path at the moment in their respective parties to challenge Biden.
If they did, Newsom would present himself as a younger, more mentally capable version of Biden.
DeSantis would present himself as the antithesis of Biden – but won’t get that chance likely when voters already have that choice with Trump.
This is definitely Trump’s primary race to lose, and that’s putting it mildly.
RealClearPolitics’ current poll averages put Trump in a runaway first place at 62%, with DeSantis in second place at 13.6%.
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