Back in Florida, recommitted to his day job, and — ostensibly — off the presidential campaign trail, freshly reminted Gov. Ron DeSantis continues to astound those who have failed to pay attention.
Yes, he’s doing gubernatorial things: Attending dedications of public works projects; resisting reinstatement of a wayward Democrat state attorney he suspended in August 2022; touting the two-year-old law enforcement bonus program he championed; and winking as the state board of education crowbarred woke-infused sociology from the core curriculum at Florida’s 12 public universities.
Today I awarded the 4,000th law enforcement recruitment bonus to Deputy Matthew Belthrop of the Bay County Sheriff’s Office.
The recruitment bonus program has been a big success and has helped bring quality law enforcement talent to Florida from other states as well as… pic.twitter.com/ZikyQFrJ6a
— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) January 30, 2024
If, following suspension of his pursuit of the White House, DeSantis confined his energies to such mundane administrative activities, media, Democrats and other observers probably wouldn’t be treating him like a submerged alligator on the prowl.
Instead, they’re all banging away on their sonars, attempting to tease deeper meaning from DeSantis’ extra-Florida observations, of which there has been no shortage:
- Visiting Naples in Southwest Florida, he urged the Legislature to adopt amendments to the U.S. Constitution that include term limits for members of Congress and a balanced budget.
- In a selfie video on X, DeSantis savaged the U.S. Senate’s muddled border plan, backed by President Biden, as a “farce.” Ahead of Biden’s pursuit of the Democrat donor class in South Florida this week, the governor observed, accurately, Biden has all the authority he needs to close the border, merely by declaring a national emergency.
- In a companion video, the governor brandished a refreshing familiarity with the Federalist Papers, noting James Madison’s advocacy for states to defend themselves against invasion.
Can the federal government defy the law and force a state to allow a foreign invasion. James Madison didn’t think so… pic.twitter.com/XwpSCEcAGh
— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) January 25, 2024
- And, fed up at last with the pro-Somalia rants of Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Mogadishu), DeSantis recommended an abrupt end to Omar’s magical mystery tour of the U.S.
Expel from Congress, denaturalize and deport! https://t.co/UyjEmSSIoQ
— Ron DeSantis (@RonDeSantis) January 30, 2024
What’s it all mean? Precisely this: He’s running.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ behavior since suspending his presidential campaign a week ago has the hallmarks of a candidate who has learned from his mistakes — and is eyeing a course correction for a potential round two.
Axios notes DeSantis’ “humanizing” — what a word, really — selfie appearances, including one with young son Mason accurately predicting the Super Bowl competitors. Very effective, say Republican activists. Yes, but it was all robotic weirdness when the DeSantis family rode bumper cars at the Iowa State Fair and played catch at the Field of Dreams.
Axios also acknowledged fascination with DeSantis’ endorse-but-criticize position on GOP presidential frontrunner Donald Trump; the hopeless Senate immigration bill; support for Texas Gov. Greg Abbott; and those amendments working through the Legislature.
DeSantis, who is only 45, seems determined to prove his potential leadership in a post-Trump GOP was not thoroughly squandered by his failed campaign.
So, in 2028, DeSantis makes his move, right? Not so fast, my friend. This already being the flakiest of years, who knows then the post-Trump era may begin? State Sen. Jason Pizzo (D-Hollywood) has a theory.
“I don’t think he’s dropped out,” Pizzo said. “He’s still running. He’s switching it up, changing it up, but he’s still anticipating that Trump won’t physically be able to serve.”
There’s plenty of buzz just now about Republicans needing to have at least the notion of a Plan B, and despite the wisdom of George Will and Jim Geraghty regarding Nikki Haley, let’s at least ponder for a moment the meaning of “suspended.” Could DeSantis be persuaded to serve as the GOP’s morning-after pill if outside forces require the abortion of a presumptive nominee? Talk about the ultimate campaign reset. The governor’s recent activities suggest he wouldn’t say no.
“I think the time for talk is over,” DeSantis said. “People have been talking for a long time. And the question is, are we going to actually be able to turn the ship around? And that’s going to require strong leadership, it’s going to require a plan to get this done.”
DeSantis alluded to previously expressed doubts about the former [p]resident’s coattails also, saying the GOP needed to win “a lot of elections all across the country for House and Senate that we’ve not really shown as Republicans an ability to win in recent years.”
Oh, yeah. He’s totally running.
