All signs still point to a DeSantis run, despite the naysayers

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Amid the drama over former President Donald Trump’s indictment as well as a plethora of recent polls and endorsements from members of Florida’s congressional delegation, a new assertion has started to creep into the discussion about 2024.

The rumbling is that Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis — given his messy answers on Ukraine and other matters — isn’t ready to run for president and may wait things out. This assertion, however, runs counter to everything now moving into place in Tallahassee and beyond.

Just start with what’s happening in the Florida Legislature, where legislators have been working at a rapid pace to carry out DeSantis’ long legislative wish list that could be used as talking points on the presidential campaign trail. Those who have worked in this environment universally agree: it’s never been like this before.

Lawmakers — including those at the top — have come under repeated pressure during their 60-day session to carry out the DeSantis agenda. Some of those in the process have told POLITICO that the governor’s office has taken so much control over bills that the expression “that’s Plaza’s bill” has now emerged — a reference to the first floor of the Capitol where DeSantis operates.

Another sign is DeSantis’ ever-expanding calendar of out-of-state, and now international, travel, such as a planned trip to Israel and apparently Asia. This is not a governor who ventured a lot outside the state before the pandemic hit. These ongoing visits — to promote the book, to promote his "Florida Blueprint" — aren’t being cut back. Just the opposite is happening: The destination list is growing.

And of course, the super PAC that is supporting a DeSantis run continues to ramp up and there are other moves at the Republican Party of Florida and elsewhere are also being carried out. There are a lot of people who are snapping into position in anticipation of an expected run.

Now it is true that the timing of an official presidential campaign launch remains somewhat fuzzy, with dates in both May and June being floated. And no official decision has been made yet because then federal election laws kick in.

But the point is this: Barring some last-minute unforeseen change, DeSantis is on the path to running for president. Some even view that the firepower aimed at the governor by Trump’s team in recent weeks as confirmation that he’s seen as a serious rival. It would appear that everyone will get to see that play out.