Commentators portray Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis as a more organized and calculating Donald Trump. In reality, DeSantis most resembles Richard Nixon — disciplined, stiff and intense. Both lack Trump’s charisma and ease before voters. Also unlike Trump — but very much like Nixon — DeSantis effectively deploys powers of the state for political gain. And DeSantis also mimics Nixon’s cruelty, his willingness to place constituents in harm’s way in the pursuit of political gain.
These traits are why DeSantis is unlikable, with nonpartisan independents judging him too extreme. That is also why — despite being quite popular with Republicans — DeSantis is barely above water nationwide as evidenced by his 38%-35% favorable/unfavorable rating in December.
DeSantis’ extremism on wedge issues appeals to core Republicans but will pose a daunting hurdle in a general election. For one, DeSantis is a strident anti-vaxxer, attacking vaccine manufacturers and imposing state policies to discourage COVID-19 vaccinations and masking. His anti-science positions are broadly unpopular.
By vilifying COVID-19 vaccinations, DeSantis has exacerbated conspiratorial distrust about proven childhood inoculations. Kaiser has found that support for traditional inoculations for measles, rubella and mumps, for instance — the MMR vaccine you received as a child (if 50 or younger) — has declined to 71%.
DeSantis also favors an extreme abortion ban (six weeks) in Florida. And he has dramatized the issue with tricks like removing the elected pro-abortion rights Tampa area prosecutor and appointing an anti-abortion judge just rejected by voters. Yet, abortion rights were instrumental in the Democrats’ surprising midterm success, with 59% of independents favoring abortion rights. In important swing states, exit polling found it was the top issue cited by voters. And referenda to protect abortion rights prevailed everywhere last year including in Kentucky, Michigan (57%) and Kansas (59%).