Yesterday, in light of rumors that DeSantis “will not run if Trump does,” my colleague Isaac Schorr eloquently explained (again) why Ron DeSantis shouldn’t back down from challenging former president Donald Trump in 2024. I second that assertion. However, I would add that the risk of losing momentum is also something the Florida governor might want to keep in mind.
Momentum is everything in politics. It’s why many Democrats lament that they “peaked” too early in this midterm-election cycle. If DeSantis loses steam between now and 2028 and fades from the spotlight, who’s to say he’ll regain it? Six years is eons in political time, and it’s almost certain Trump is running again. The only question now is whether DeSantis will stop him from becoming the next Benjamin Netanyahu, Lula da Silva, or Grover Cleveland.
When making this decision, DeSantis might want to heed the advice of hip-hop artist Eminem, who famously said, “You only get one shot, do not miss your chance to blow. This opportunity comes once in a lifetime.”