Listen, I don’t know what the campaign did with ol’ Gov. Wooden Head, but this guy, who plainly has to be DeSantis’ doppelgänger, is somebody who could win a whole bunch of Electoral College votes.

This is not just me writing here. Without getting into the interview itself, in which the DeSantis lookalike broke no news or plowed unexpected policy furrows, but, instead, made the patient case for why his presumably controversial positions are, in fact, closely studied, arrived at logically, bloom from traditional conservatism, and benefit American strength at home and abroad, we turn instead to the a key moment in the post-interview panel discussion.

Yes, this was one of those times the panel was more fascinating than the ballyhooed interview. And we have, of all pundits, CNN political analyst, diligent left-winger and South Carolina’s own Bakari Sellers to thank.

Although he poked DeSantis for aligning with none of his policy positions (zero surprise there) and being overly focused on wokeism, all-in-all, Sellers found — for lack of a better term — gravitas oozing from the Florida governor.

“I was happy to see him sit down … outside of his bubble because then it helps him look more electable,” Seller said.

“It’s one thing to a Joe Rogan interview or kind of the fringes. It’s another to sit down with a consummate journalist. I think today he was able to deal with those questions. … He looked decently presidential today. … At least today he started to give the vibe. … He started to give the vibe that he could be President of the United States.”

Well, shut the front door. Also, welcome to the party. For those who have been sharply attuned to DeSantis’ skills and sensibilities since the early days of COVID-19 in the United States, the impressive fellow CNN’s panels and viewers experienced Tuesday was no revelation. He’s always been That Guy.

Yes, all kidding aside, the subject of Tapper’s probing was no imposter. It was exactly the surefooted Ron DeSantis Floridians have leaned into since the earliest of his daily updates and press conferences about the state’s response to the pandemic in March 2020.

During the worst of the COVID turmoil, it soon turned out that, while he clearly navigates by the same pole star that guided Ronald Reagan, DeSantis is a quick study of complicated subjects who’s quick to sift out irrelevancies and find the proper course.

Tuesday was no exception.

Asked about news broken earlier Tuesday by Donald Trump himself about further legal troubles, DeSantis refused to let Tapper trap him in a corner: Suppose special counsel Jack Smith has the goods.

“I wanna focus on looking forward. I don’t wanna look back,” DeSantis said. “I do not wanna see him – I hope [Trump] doesn’t get charged. I don’t think it’ll be good for the country. But at the same time I’ve gotta focus on looking forward, and that’s what we’re gonna do.”

Moving on. What about the West’s commitment to Ukraine?

“First, a vital national interest to me means we would potentially send troops there. And I don’t think anybody wants to see troops in Ukraine. And I would believe that in 2015 as well. It’s more of a secondary or tertiary interest.”

The Governor said Ukraine is really Europe’s problem.

“I would have the Europeans do more in Europe. That’s more in their backyard, that’s more of an interest for them,” DeSantis said, adding that he would “be helpful to try to bring it to a conclusion there.” …

“We will pull some levers against Russia. We’re going to be much more aggressive on energy and export because I think that’s been Putin’s lifeline. I want the Europeans dependent on the United States for that, not him,” DeSantis said, before quickly pivoting from actions against the aggressive Russian state.

“We’re also going to turn the screws on the Iranians. The Iranians have been one of Putin’s biggest benefactors and they benefited from (Joe) Biden’s approach there. So we’ll use the leverage that we have. But the goal is going to be a sustainable peace that does not reward aggression.”

What’s more in the U.S. national interest? Preventing China’s hegemony, DeSantis said, especially regarding its designs on Taiwan.

What about this freshly presented policy about eliminating social experimentation from the military? No trans troops?

“I would respect everybody, but what I wouldn’t do is turn society upside down to be able to accommodate, which is a very, very small percentage of the population,” DeSantis told CNN.

As commander-in-chief, DeSantis said, he would not compromise the Pentagon’s strength, resolve, or ability to project lethality. “China understands strength,” he said.

Finally, let’s have a peek at DeSantis’ thoughts on abortion. Would he sign a six-week national ban similar the one he approved in Florida this spring?

“I’m pro-life. I will be a pro-life president. And we will support pro-life policies,” he said. “At the same time, I look at what’s going on in the Congress, and, you know, I don’t see them, you know, making very much headway. I think the danger from Congress is if we lose the election, they’re gonna try to nationalize abortion up until the moment of birth.”

You know what DeSantis really thinks about parents and their kids? 

“Our bread and butter were people like suburban moms,” he said. “We’re leading a big movement for parents’ rights, to have the parents be involved in education, school choice, get the indoctrination outta schools.”

Our caps are tipped to CNN’s Sellers who acknowledged precisely what DeSantis has said all along about his candidacy: He’s a genuinely conservative Republican who — despite what you may have heard or read — acts and sounds presidential. He’s the genuine alternative to relitigating the past.

Do more of that, Governor. The tide is yours to turn.