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Great question, Jeff. (That's what I often say when I'm scrambling to buy time to think of an answer.)

It's hard for DeSantis to make a good decision until he can better assess Trump's hold on the party. That hold has weakened some, but remains strong. If in the remainder of 2022 it seems to weaken more, I expect DeSantis to jump in.

He might jump in regardless, though, for the reason you present in your last paragraph.. When I told a friend that DeSantis should strongly consider waiting until 2028, my friend responded with three words -- Chris Christie, 2012.

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Thanks for the correction, Gregory

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Do you believe DeSantis would run or clear the field if Trump ran? There would be danger for DeSantis with either decision.

Trump would be a formidable opponent with his strong base. I’d call it a tossup because of Trump’s negatives, but a loss would damage DeSantis’ future as Trump is a human wrecking ball.

On the flip side, DeSantis will never be as popular as he is now. 2024 may be “his moment.” A lot can go wrong in Florida by 2028 and and it’s almost impossible that the political environment for Republicans will be as good as the current cycle.

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NIt pick. In this paragraph:

"Two — Cooper and Newsom — are governors. The former presides over a wreck of state whose population is shrinking. The latter lacks national recognition, at least right now."

I think you need to switch the order of the govs for the paragaph to be correct.

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Pete Buttigieg failed as mayor of tiny South Bend and he is failing as Secretary of Transportation. Crime was out of control in South Bend. He's done nothing to fix the supply chain. But the Fake News will never tell anyone about that.

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