Florida Governor Ron DeSantis' super PAC has canceled over $2 million in ad buys in Iowa and New Hampshire, signaling potential trouble for his campaign. The move comes amidst staff departures and a series of setbacks for the campaign. Political commentators are now questioning the viability of DeSantis' candidacy.
According to Peter Wehner, a former senior adviser for Presidents Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, and George W. Bush, DeSantis' campaign has been in a downward spiral for months. Wehner believes that DeSantis is not a talented candidate and has been unable to effectively transition from being a successful governor to a national contender. With his campaign faltering, Wehner states that DeSantis is unlikely to secure the nomination.
However, political commentator Alice Stewart suggests that a strong finish in Iowa is still possible for DeSantis, even though it will be challenging. A noteworthy result in Iowa for any non-Trump candidate would be securing second or third place. Stewart emphasizes that Iowa is crucial for winnowing the field and determining the future of lower-ranking candidates.
Stewart also highlights the growing competition between DeSantis and former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley. Both candidates are vying for the coveted second and third spots, trailing behind Donald Trump, who currently holds a commanding lead in both Iowa and New Hampshire. DeSantis is hoping to leverage his strong support among evangelicals in Iowa, while Haley benefits from the endorsement of Governor Chris Sununu in New Hampshire.
Regarding Haley's recent surge in popularity, Peter Wehner acknowledges that she has narrowed the gap between herself and the front-runner Donald Trump. However, Wehner believes that the Republican Party has become heavily influenced by Trump, making it unlikely for Haley or any other non-Trump candidate to successfully challenge him.
Looking beyond Iowa and New Hampshire, Alice Stewart stresses that the real challenge lies in the subsequent races where Trump is weakest. She emphasizes the importance of consolidating behind a single non-Trump candidate to ensure a viable contender against President Joe Biden in the general election.
As the primary race progresses, speculation arises regarding the future of former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie's campaign. While Christie has made strong criticisms of Trump, it is unlikely that he will secure the nomination. Consequently, there are calls for Christie to drop out and potentially support other non-Trump candidates such as Nikki Haley.
In summary, DeSantis' campaign faces significant challenges as staff departures and canceled ad buys raise concerns about its viability. Meanwhile, the competition between DeSantis and Haley intensifies as they both strive to secure the second and third positions behind Trump.
