And the longer Trump’s large lead continues, the more the perception will take root that the former president’s nomination was never really in doubt. This wasn’t a case of DeSantis failing to close the sale; this was a case of the customer having their mind adamantly set on one particular option and refusing to consider any substitutes. Again – so far, no one else is closing the sale on nominating someone besides Trump; it’s fair to ask how hard some of the other GOP candidates are trying.

And if that’s the true read of the situation, that Trump’s renomination even after January 6 and multiple indictments, then DeSantis really doesn’t have much to lose. He might as well swing for the fences. Trump has made abundantly clear that he believes the 2024 nomination was always reserved for him alone, and that all other Republicans were making an enormously disrespectful insult by even contemplating a run for the nomination. DeSantis will be on Trump’s enemies list for the rest of Trump’s days. If it can’t get much worse, DeSantis might as well take the hardest swing at Trump that he can. And, as always, if you come at the king, you had better not miss.

[I’ll have more on this in a few minutes. — Ed]