A.G. Gancarski
Ron DeSantis is out of the presidential race and is endorsing Donald Trump.
In a video released Sunday, the Republican candidate suspended his campaign, after a distant second place finish in Iowa, an expected even more distant third place in the Granite State, and an uncertain path for delegates ahead.
“Now, following our second place finish in Iowa, we’ve prayed and deliberated on the way forward. If there was anything I could do to produce a favorable outcome, more campaign stops, more interviews, I would do it. But I can’t ask our supporters to volunteer their time and donate their resources if we don’t have a clear path to victory accordingly. I am today suspending my campaign.”
The Governor’s exit makes the GOP contest a two-person race between Nikki Haley and Trump, who DeSantis endorsed without reservation.
“Now, it’s clear to me that a majority of Republican primary voters want to give Donald Trump another chance. They watched his presidency get stymied by relentless resistance and they see Democrats using lawfare to this day to attack him.”
“While I’ve had disagreements with Donald Trump, such as on the coronavirus pandemic and his elevation of Anthony Fauci, Trump is superior to the current incumbent Joe Biden,” DeSantis said.
“I signed a pledge to support the Republican nominee and I will honor that pledge. He has my endorsement because we can’t go back to the old Republican Guard of yesteryear: A repackaged form of warmed over corporatism that Nikki Haley represents. The days of putting Americans last of kowtowing to large corporations of caving to woke ideology are over.”
DeSantis also derided former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, long his closest rival for second place in the primary race, saying Republicans “can’t go back to the old Republican guard of yesteryear, a repackaged form of warmed-over corporatism that Nikki Haley represents.”
DeSantis’ effective exit from the race comes after a cycle that launched with great hype that went underfulfilled.
The Florida Governor’s glitch-filled kickoff on Twitter Spaces with Elon Musk, an alternative to a more conventional launch at a baseball field in DeSantis’ hometown of Dunedin, was a metaphor for a campaign that arrayed more than $82 million of seed money transferred to his super PAC from his former state PAC, an effort that promised a 50-state strategy to clear the field, but did not count on the enduring popularity of the former President.
In the subsequent weeks and months, DeSantis struggled to connect with voters on a personal level under the unforgiving bright lights of the presidential stage.
The Governor embarked on a strategy to get endorsements from state legislators in early states, such as Iowa, New Hampshire, and South Carolina, and visited many of these places, finding connections between their conservative governance and that enjoyed in Florida. But despite heavy spending and lots of travel, he didn’t get traction in polls.
By the end of July, DeSantis had laid off nearly 40 employees in a move designed to cut roughly one-third of his campaign payroll. The cuts came shortly after public filings revealed that he was burning through his substantial campaign coffers at an unsustainable rate.
He expressed regrets in recent weeks, suggesting that Trump’s legal issues derailed the race, and saying recently he should have done more “corporate media.”
There will be plenty of time for him to figure out what went wrong, but for now, the Governor will return to the job he was elected to perform.
____
The Associated Press contributed to this post. Republished with permission.
82 comments
My Take
January 21, 2024 at 3:17 pm
Now back to ruining Florida.
SteveHC
January 21, 2024 at 4:19 pm
lol. But yes, especially if the waters’ algae and bacterial problems are not effectively dealt with.
SteveHC
January 21, 2024 at 4:20 pm
– Let alone the insurance problems.
Impeach Biden
January 21, 2024 at 4:42 pm
You can leave any time. Ask yourself why people move here from Blue States?
MH/Duuuval
January 21, 2024 at 7:00 pm
If we take Trump as a model, they move to Florida because they are cheapskates and enjoy lording it over Florida’s underpaid working class.
Or, if you happen to have a trust fund, move to Florida and get a 1000-year guarantee that your fund won’t get taxed. Such a deal, eh?
MH/Duuuval
January 21, 2024 at 7:26 pm
Convicted for insider trading, Chris Collins got a pardon from Trump and found warm refuge in Florida — where crime is hardly a political liability, and comebacks are always possible. (Headline in today’s WaPo)
Florida Artificial Intelligence 📉
January 21, 2024 at 8:02 pm
To die of COVID?
Earl's Long Suffering But Heavily Medicated Wife
January 22, 2024 at 11:41 am
Knock wood.
Michael K
January 22, 2024 at 12:35 am
There’s this thing called the weather. Old people like warm the weather. Young people do not like the restrictions,
TJC
January 22, 2024 at 3:47 pm
Also, no state income tax.
Tom
January 22, 2024 at 7:44 am
Despite the politics and because of the weather. The weather is always nice and politicians come and go.
MH/Duuuval
January 22, 2024 at 10:59 am
So, you’re okay with 5 or 6 months of fretting about the next hurricane making landfall on your community?
Tom
January 22, 2024 at 1:34 pm
We took a direct hit from Ian and survived. It was nerve wracking but if your house was built in the last 10 or 12 years and is up to code, you survive. Not much point worrying about what might or might not happen. As the saying goes, if you want to be happy, don’t watch the news.
MH/Duuuval
January 22, 2024 at 2:54 pm
Today’s code may protect your house from wind damage, but today’s hurricanes move more slowly and the primary damage is from high water.
Dont Say FLA
January 22, 2024 at 9:07 am
Now that Covid relo’s are over, people once again move to Florida because they’re old and don’t need a job anymore so Florida’s lack of decent jobs outside of tourism is fine by them, they’re old and it’s typically warm in Florida but gets really cold where they move from, plus they can sell their house in their high-demand real estate market, move to Florida, buy a house in a low-demand real estate market, and have at least a million bucks left over because Florida’s inland real estate is pretty well worthless outside the tourist areas.
MH/Duuuval
January 22, 2024 at 11:01 am
Inland real estate may be relatively cheaper, but inland housing is being scooped up by private equity, which then rents out the property at inflated prices. (This inflation goes to MAGAmites allowing capital to rule.)
Pathetic Desperation
January 21, 2024 at 3:26 pm
Back to Taliban Florida. What a pathetic man who veil’s himself as a lawyer and veteran with no conscience as to the destruction Trump has done and continues to do attacking our democracy. I guess he wants to be one of the oligarchs in the Hungarian model of the GOP America
My Take
January 21, 2024 at 3:28 pm
Hoping for a high appointment is my guess.
MH/Duuuval
January 22, 2024 at 11:02 am
In Tallahassee they love Viktor Orban.
ScienceBLVR
January 21, 2024 at 3:28 pm
Tho I don’t normally partake, can I get an Amen, Brother!
Now, focus on getting Trump convicted of his many crimes..
SteveHC
January 21, 2024 at 4:17 pm
– Precisely.
Impeach Biden
January 21, 2024 at 3:45 pm
DeSantis has a bright future ahead. This wasn’t his time as Trump is the elephant I. The room. I expect him to be back in 2028. Now back to running a state with a balanced budget, no state income tax, and a place thousands move to every month. Many thanks to DeSantis. To all of you Democrats fleeing high taxes, crime, etc. Remember you left “Blue” states. Do not turn Florid “Blue”. Learn from Kalifornia.
God Bless President Biden
January 21, 2024 at 3:57 pm
“Casey, why is our home uninsured?!?”
God Bless President Biden
January 21, 2024 at 4:01 pm
No state income tax?
DMV Fees for licenses, registration, pleasure craft etc etc ARE TAXES.
Water and sewage fees per month? Taxes.
Turnpike Tolls?
You’re so gullible.
Impeach Biden
January 21, 2024 at 4:12 pm
Compare your annual auto registration fees to any other state out there. Why not move to New York or Kalifornia and let us know how those state taxes fees compare to Florida.
MH/Duuuval
January 21, 2024 at 7:02 pm
Wages tend to be higher and services better although MAGAmites are everywhere working to subvert republican government and the social contract.
Impeach Biden
January 21, 2024 at 7:55 pm
You are delusional. If services and other freebies you want exist there then why don’t you move. Then you can start complaining about your taxes and look at the poor infrastructure that states like Kalifornia and New York have. People and companies are leaving those “Blue Dumps” for Florida and Texas. Ask yourself why did Kalifornia lose a congressional seat for the first time in its existence? Of course you will spin it.
Florida Artificial Intelligence 📉
January 21, 2024 at 8:03 pm
You didn’t just compare life in Manhattan to life in Boca, did you?
I hope you did.
Not Pushaw
January 21, 2024 at 8:41 pm
Who wants to live in Manhattan? People are leaving there in droves.
Dont Say FLA
January 22, 2024 at 8:46 am
IBS never have left the state and doesn’t know anybody else who left the state to go work in NY or California. Dollars work different there. Like pesos in Mexico work different from dollars in Florida. Like yen work different over in Japan. Every withdraw 30,000 from an ATM? I have. 30,000 of what, though?
Yes, Florida and NY and California all use the US dollar as their currency, but no, they are not equal, so why keep on with the false equivalency comparisons?
LOL @ Ignoramuses never left the South, probably never left the state, definitely never left North Amerik-duh
The Dude
January 21, 2024 at 4:26 pm
Do you fill out a state tax return in Florida annually? Yes or No. That is the simplest way to tell if you pay state income tax in Florida.
Florida Artificial Intelligence 📉
January 21, 2024 at 8:04 pm
Local simpleton talks simplicity, taxes and more at 11.
Tom
January 22, 2024 at 7:51 am
No but I did fill out a check for auto insurance which went up $180 a year despite me never having had an accident and likewise my home insurance ($900 a year) not to mention the highest inflation in the country. You’re right that if you don’t like it, leave but it’s hardly some well managed utopia.
MH/Duuuval
January 22, 2024 at 10:25 am
Flood insurance, already high, doubled last year. Did MAGAmites in Florida Legislature fix this problem? Only if bringing in wealthier folks is the answer.
Michael K
January 21, 2024 at 5:01 pm
And don’t forget property tax, sales tax, real estate excise tax, and more…
MH/Duuuval
January 21, 2024 at 7:04 pm
The Dude is a one-dimensional person. Little light enters and no light exits.
The Dude
January 21, 2024 at 7:21 pm
You just proved to everyone that reads this board how dumb you are.
Dont Say FLA
January 22, 2024 at 9:10 am
“No state income tax” isn’t something to brag about. That’s a tell there’s not enough income in the state to bother taxing it.
Elmo
January 21, 2024 at 3:55 pm
Watching DeSantis puke all over himself in front of a national audience. That was beautiful. Glad the cat was out of the bag for all to see. Glad the arrogant prick got what was coming to him.
God Bless President Biden
January 21, 2024 at 3:58 pm
🏁🏁🏁🏁🏁🏁🏁🏁🏁🏁🏁
Magic 8 Ball sez ‘told ya’ 🎱
SteveHC
January 21, 2024 at 4:12 pm
Sure took him long enough. Maybe he finally spent/wasted all of the “campaign’s” donated funds, who knows. Let’s hope he doesn’t now take his anger and crustration out on everyone in Florida who disagrees with him and his idiotic ideology war.
SteveHC
January 21, 2024 at 4:15 pm
– FRUSTRATION not “crustration”, not yet ready to label him as being a frustrated crustacean lol.
rick whitaker
January 21, 2024 at 4:20 pm
RON, WHO?
My Take
January 21, 2024 at 4:38 pm
Perfect
Tom
January 22, 2024 at 8:10 am
Do we get a two for one? Is Earl gone as well?
Earl's Long Suffering But Heavily Medicated Wife
January 22, 2024 at 11:46 am
Earl is resting quietly. His head exploded yesterday, poor dear.
Dont Say FLA
January 22, 2024 at 12:07 pm
Mama Imma come stay with you till Pop’s done with his bender okay?
Michael K
January 21, 2024 at 4:36 pm
The good news is he’s finished – he’s damaged goods. The bad news is, that the Republican legislature did enormous damage to good people and institutions in this state to feed Rhonda’s ego and far-fetched political fantasy of another Camelot. Now he’s a lame duck – deeply flawed, wounded, and a total failure. He burned $139 million of other people’s money and made Florida the laughingstock of the nation. I wish he would have the decency to resign and move to Hungary.
Tom
January 22, 2024 at 7:55 am
Just the legal defence bills for all his ill conceived legislation will run into millions. The courts are practically laughing at how poorly written some of it is.
Dont Say FLA
January 22, 2024 at 8:42 am
Yarvard and Hale should rescind Rhonda’s honorary (aka athletic scholarship) degrees since the little guy clearly got no idea how law works
Ocean Joe
January 21, 2024 at 4:40 pm
He was Trump with a brain but no personality. Dems fretted over which one was more dangerous. He was. I’m relieved he’s out and has burned bridges with Trump who will still be around to spoil things for him in 2028.
Now if only Biden would drop out and take Harris with him.
We are in need of a moderate leader who will reject the nonsense of far right and left. Good luck Mrs. Haley, but unlike McCarthy of old, even a weak showing by Trump in NH will have no impact on a guy who wants to be president to stay out of jail.
Tom
January 22, 2024 at 7:57 am
100% agree. I’m not optimistic though, but we might get lucky.
MH/Duuuval
January 22, 2024 at 3:00 pm
Trump’s legion of supporters, rich and poor, will provide him with the money to keep appealing his court cases until the election is past. Then, perhaps, a reckoning.
Beth
January 21, 2024 at 4:52 pm
Poor pathetic little Ronnie back to worshipping his traitorous sexual predator master. All the trump scum are enemies of the United States and need to have their careers destroyed
MH/Duuuval
January 21, 2024 at 6:47 pm
Sales taxes and flat charges for services are regressive. Income and wealth taxes are progressive, meaning higher-income people are paying their fair share.
This explains why a disproportionate percentage of recent transplants to Florida are from the upper end of the scale: They’re cheap. They want to privatize profits, but socialize their losses.
This is the MAGA replacement plan in action.
The Dude
January 21, 2024 at 7:25 pm
Do you work or are you just a freeloader of the state and federal government? Have you paid your student loans as well or do you want to transfer that responsibility to someone that does not have that debt because they were responsible citizens?
Dont Say FLA
January 22, 2024 at 8:40 am
Dud sure loves his ad hominess. ‘Cause he got nothin’ to say that supports the ideas implanted in his head by voluntary daily mega-dosing at the alter of the magic box.
Impeach Biden
January 21, 2024 at 7:29 pm
What do you define as fair share? What kind of economics are they teaching you zombies nowadays at Bernie Sanders U.?
MH/Duuuval
January 22, 2024 at 10:29 am
Why should the secretary of a corporation owned by a billionaire pay a higher tax rate than the billionaire?
How could DJT pay — two years In a row — federal income tax of less than $800.
Dude — so busy being superior doesn’t get that his pocket is getting picked by rich folk who use this money to get government to give them more advantages..
Andrew Finn
January 21, 2024 at 6:53 pm
Well, well, well — It looks like Donald Trump will be the “CANDIDATE SELECT” and Ron DeSatan is the “CANDIDATE REJECT” for this race. So much for “America’s Governor” —- NYUK – NYUK – NYUK !!!! Now Ronnie can go back to destroying Florida for the time he has left and the be tossed on the political trash pile of forgotten losers. Adios Meatball !!!! ——– Ya gotta love it !!!!
Dale A Arnold
January 21, 2024 at 6:54 pm
Bye Felicia!!!
My Take
January 21, 2024 at 7:00 pm
It would have been fun watching Nikki kick ,him around some more, but she really needs to go after Trump. Another Nikki can kick failed Rhonda around the state.
MH/Duuuval
January 21, 2024 at 7:08 pm
Unfortunately, it won’t take Dee long to return to form, bullying those who disagree with him
the truth
January 21, 2024 at 7:07 pm
Good, now take care of Florida, get rid of the Woke, DEI, the trans too.
MH/Duuuval
January 21, 2024 at 7:15 pm
It will be amusing to watch Dee FAIL to put back into a public park your white female enslaver on her throne. And the Right Rev. Black can’t do it, either.
Ron Forrest Ron
January 22, 2024 at 8:35 am
Ron is your only “Woke, DEI, trans” problem. If Ron weren’t telling you about how much of a problem those were, would you be experiencing any problem with them? NOPE. NOT A ONE.
PeterH
January 21, 2024 at 8:44 pm
After your campaign has been on life support for a month it’s time to pull the plug and find greener pastures to grift.
My Take
January 22, 2024 at 12:10 am
Why is the word “suspend” used instead of “end”?
Can it be restarted ?
Michael K
January 22, 2024 at 12:42 am
I always knew those boots were made for walking. After walking all over good people, he nice slithers back in well-deserved disgrace. Now the clean up begins.
Earl's Long Suffering But Heavily Medicated Wife
January 22, 2024 at 11:55 am
Yes, so it can be restarted as soon as Mango Mussolini a is convicted felon and Republicans realize that Independents will not allow that crime family back into the White House. It’s what all of those feckless candidates have been waiting for. It’s their only out since they don’t dare criticize their Orange Jesus. They’re too afraid. So instead of dropping out, they “suspend” in hopes they can reactivate their campaign on the day America celebrates finally flushing Dump and his crooked band of morons down the toilet.
My Take
January 22, 2024 at 12:36 am
What DeSScamus deserves of course is Trump’s having to drop out for some reason in a month or few.
Ron: “If only I had held out longer!”
Casey : “Put a sock in it, LOSER!”
Dont Say FLA
January 22, 2024 at 7:46 am
The only questions about Rhonda’s campaign are whether Casey got her foot in the door with some billionaire and, if so, which one?
MH/Duuuval
January 22, 2024 at 11:09 am
Ron became an instant millionaire by promising to write a book. Plus, he has two more years of subsidized housing and cheap but excellent health care.
Dont Say FLA
January 22, 2024 at 12:06 pm
A million bucks won’t last two years once Tacky O moves on up from the Walmarts to the outlet malls. She (feels that she) needs a billionaire.
Dont Say FLA
January 22, 2024 at 7:45 am
Rhonda didn’t have to Resign to Run but maybe they should have. That way perhaps they wouldn’t have had to Resign From Running.
LOL @ Rhonda. You got what 99% of people wanted to you to get.
Rhonda got sent back to the trailer park they were mistakenly let out of. YAY!
But they endorsed Trump? LOL @ Rhonda you Moe. You should have endorsed Haley. Then you might have had a chance in 2028 after everybody finally accepts that DJT is a crook and a liar. Roundabout of 70% of people in USA already accept that.
Trump’s goose is cooked and Rhonda just tied their goose to that cooked goose. Some folk never learn, I suppose.
Dancing Outlaw
January 22, 2024 at 8:32 am
Does the little bully now lose their secret service detail?
Are they protected only by the folks who didn’t quit from Rhonda’s special state good squad the day they realized what was going on with that group?
Asking for a trans drag queen friend.
MH/Duuuval
January 22, 2024 at 10:31 am
Dee will need to recall the Floridians he sent to the border to provide adequate protection for the tail he’s trying to hide between his legs.
MEATBALL IS FINISHED
January 22, 2024 at 10:42 am
PRAISE THE LORD
MS NBC
January 22, 2024 at 12:34 pm
Ron actually accepted our offer to be an MSNBC host.
Now we have to figure out how we can let Ron “host” a show while we have somebody host-worthy joining him on air the whole time for every episode without him ever catching on to the fact that he isn’t really the host.
Oh wait, Ron’s a Mo. It won’t be that hard to trick him into thinking he’s the host. We’ll just have Casey on, too.
Sqoo
January 22, 2024 at 1:14 pm
I’ll miss the dozen or so articles a day on this site about how the latest poll shows Ron with 8% support in South Dakota.
Tom
January 22, 2024 at 1:45 pm
I think they’re trying to ban kids under 16 from using social media now – stupid like this will keep the articles flowing and cost the state more millions to defend. Welcome back my friends to the show that never ends to quote EL&P
Joe
January 23, 2024 at 11:29 am
No mention yet of the fake Churchill quote used by Tiny D as he Finally Backed Down? He goes out as he came into this campaign: flailing abjectly, full of shit.
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