Opinion | Politics

How Ron DeSantis Nuked His Presidential Chances

DeSantis shot at the presidency sinks with his new hardline stances.

Ron DeSantis — The Man of Many Faces, by Joe Duncan: Source photos: U.S. Government, Gage Skidmore, edited; Creative Commons 2.0 & public domain licenses

Ron DeSantis is a man of many faces.

I watched Ron DeSantis evolve. In early 2020, when the pandemic was first unfolding, DeSantis was a different man.

I remember when the COVID-19 pandemic first hit in early 2020. I would be working out in the gym while I listened to Governor DeSantis speak directly to Floridians.

Back then, I found myself constantly thinking, “I’m so glad this guy is in charge. He’s embracing the science — he cares about the vaccine, unlike most other Republicans out there. He’s going to help Florida get through this.”

DeSantis on COVID-19

It was an uncertain time then, but DeSantis took numerous smart steps to help Floridians feel more secure as the new pandemic swept the country.

He was openly confident in our ability to get working vaccines deployed. He supported making sensible lockdown and masking decisions, saying we would combat the virus with all the collective strength and self-sacrifice we could muster.