First, there was zero talk of presidential politics. Our conversations were entirely focused on policy matters at a very granular level, usually proceeding several steps up the ladder to the fine points of the issue, whether it was campus wokery, immigration, health care, the environment, and even Florida’s difficult property insurance problems. Needless to say, this means we did not spend a single moment discussing Trump or any of that drama.
That said, it is clear that Gov. DeSantis has a deep grasp of the difficulties and divisions in the Republican Party and the conservative movement, and his own disposition about these matters is refreshing and sound.
Second, both the governor and the first lady are extremely energetic. And it is clear they do their homework. On every issue, Gov. DeSantis was completely conversant with the fine grain details. He is a clearly a policy wonk, but with the added crucial dimension that he understands the fundamental political principle at work.
Join the conversation as a VIP Member