Republicans ARE worried about their 2024 Presidential contestants ….
But?
Donald Trump maybe just too much to dispose of even if he’s a convicted felon this time next year which would for sure make him un-electable…..
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’s weaker-than-expected campaign is prompting other Republicans, such as Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin and Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, to take a new look at running for president, GOP strategists say.
These Republicans argue that DeSantis, long seen as the strongest potential challenger in a GOP primary to former President Trump, has failed to establish himself as the clear alternative.
“I think his high point was right after the last election, when he was the brightest spot on an otherwise somewhat disappointing night for Republicans,” said GOP strategist Vin Weber, commenting on the big DeSantis reelection victory for governor in 2022.
“Since then, he hasn’t come on as strong. It looks to me people are looking at it because he’s not as strong as he was before,” added Weber, who advised Republican presidential campaigns in 1996, 2004 and 2008.
Weber argued Trump also looks vulnerable, despite his massive polling lead, because of his mounting legal problems, which could make the race look more attractive to Youngkin and Kemp.
“The fading of a guy who was never the front-runner is not in and of itself a good reason for someone to take a look at running,” Weber said. “They have to perceive vulnerability in the front-runner. I think those two factors play into it together.”
John Merrill, who served two terms as Alabama’s secretary of state, said, “Gov. DeSantis is in trouble.”
“There were high expectations for Gov. DeSantis and his team when they entered the race. I think they were confident they were going to be the Trump-lite alternative,” he said. “What I mean by that is having the same emphasis that President Trump had, having the same following that President Trump [had]. ….
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David Paleologos, director of the Political Research Center at Suffolk University, said DeSantis or any candidate seeking to win the GOP nomination faces a “math” problem because Trump is dominating among “Tier 1” voters who are sure about whom they will support in next year’s primary.
“The problem for DeSantis, Youngkin or any of the other 13 announced candidates is that Trump owns [many] of the first-tier voters and the second tier is split 13 ways,” he said. “I don’t think there’s a pathway for anyone else getting in the race…..