Privately saying so?…..
But there is no such thing as ‘private’ on the national Presidential political level….
It’s ON!
And DeSantis will visit the early nominating states of Iowa on Friday and Nevada on Saturday as he tours the country promoting his memoir.
The public and private movements underline how far along DeSantis and his allies are in their preparation for the 2024 campaign, even as the Florida governor has not said publicly that he will enter the race.
Allies do not expect him to announce a run until after the Florida state legislative session ends in May. But in recent conversations, DeSantis has described his presidential plans without any caveats that would suggest he’s still deciding, according to the two people familiar with his comments who, like others interviewed for this story, spoke on the condition of anonymity to share private remarks….
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DeSantis is touring the country to promote his memoir, released Feb. 28, on a circuit that has already taken him to Texas, California and Alabama as he pitches Florida as a “blueprint” for the rest of the country, clashes with blue-state leaders such as California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) and courts donors and local party leaders. But unlike many other potential presidential candidates, he had previously steered clear of the earliest primary states where visits are bound to draw heightened scrutiny and signal greater interest in a 2024 run.
DeSantis has cast himself as a fighter against what he calls the “woke” left, building on his reputation for moving early to lift coronavirusrestrictions and his successful push for legislation restricting school discussions of race, sexual orientation and gender identity. Recently he has tacked further to the right with additional moves to overhaul education — for instance, plans to ban diversity and inclusion programs at state colleges — and strident criticism of the coronavirus vaccines he once promoted, including a petition to investigate “wrongdoing” surrounding the shots.
“You ain’t seen nothing yet,” the governor declared at his “state of the state” address on Tuesday, setting the stage for a blockbuster state legislative session where Republican supermajorities can easily pass his agenda….
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DeSantis has largely declined to engage with Trump’s criticism and derisive nicknames. “I’m appreciative of a lot of things he did,” he told Fox News recently amid a blitz of friendly interviews for his book tour. “It doesn’t mean I agree with everything he’s doing lately.” He has pitched himself as an ardent advocate of much of Trump’s agenda and subtly suggested he is better poised to execute it.
image…Government Excutive