Matthew Dowd: The Biggest Problem for Ron DeSantis Is Donald Trump

EXCERPT:

DOWD: “Well, it’s fascinating about Ron DeSantis. He’s had quite a success in Florida, obviously, and won overwhelmingly last year in a re-election. Can’t seem to do anything when he goes out. At some point, a politician that has run statewide, the first time, second time, third time, fourth time outside their state, if they are not doing well, I don’t know if the fifth or sixth or seventh time helps them in this process. The biggest problem he has is Donald Trump is as if he is the incumbent in this race. Eight years ago when Donald Trump first ran, Donald Trump was at 14 or 15 percent in the polls. Today, he is at 50 or 60 percent in the polls. He is in a much more dominant position, Donald Trump, than he was in 2015 and 2016 when he still won the nomination in this process. The problem for Ron DeSantis, I think, and anybody else running in this race, it’s really not about them, but will some external event happen, something — some legal cause or something else happen that gives them a window where they can actually succeed, because without it, I don’t see how they do.”