When Ron DeSantis' campaign press secretary called him Saturday night to cancel the next morning's “Media Buzz” interview, it set in motion a chain of events that would lead to his resignation less than 24 hours later. I never imagined it would happen.
I was disappointed and somewhat annoyed, since we had gone to great lengths to meet the Florida Governor's wishes.
But Mr. DeSantis canceled all interviews on Sunday programs (including “Meet the Press” and “State of the Union”) so he could fly to New Hampshire, which was mired in single digits, the next morning. It was explained to me that it was for the sake of it. Last stand before Tuesday's primaries.
And I thought, of course he has to do what's best for his campaign. No candidate can and should not put the media first. Handshakes with actual voters are preferred.
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Mr. DeSantis suspended his 2024 presidential campaign on Sunday and endorsed Mr. Trump. (DeSantis 2024)
I tweeted that the governor canceled our interview because we were promoting it, and I thought that was it. I had no idea how his decision would be reflected in the day's top news.
“DeSantis is doomed,” shouted Drudge’s banner headline.
Was canceling some Sunday shows really that big of a deal? Will the average voter care, as opposed to the self-centered media community?
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However, DeSantis did not leave for New Hampshire yesterday morning. So I was convinced that everything was fake.
According to knowledgeable sources, here's what actually happened. The plan was to go to New Hampshire when DeSantis' publicist was apologetically canceling interviews with me and others.
Former Republican presidential candidate Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks at a campaign event at Wally's Bar in Hampton, N.H., Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer) (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
But the next morning, the governor returned to Florida and had a series of conversations with his family and executives. As many observers have said, there is a growing consensus that DeSantis has no path to victory. It's over. Mr. DeSantis has begun notifying large donors. Trump predicted his own departure in an interview I broadcast with FOX's Bret Bayer.
Hours later, DeSantis posted a video saying he had “prayered and thought about” his decision to leave. “The vast majority of Republican primary voters want to give Donald Trump another chance,” he said, adding that while he has “differences of opinion” with the former president, “the old Republican guard… I can't go back, so he has my support.” ”
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In case you were wondering, this is clearly aimed at Nikki Haley. After an argument in which they called each other liars, they could no longer stand each other. And DeSantis had promised to support the candidate.
Ironically, his bailout might help Haley a little bit since it's a two-person race in New Hampshire.
Pressed by CNN's Dana Bash about whether he would ultimately support Trump, the former South Carolina governor said, “I'm going to put this together so that Joe Biden and Donald Trump don't matter at all.'' I'm going to finish it,'' he said, dodging it.
The Trump campaign said it was “honored to receive the endorsement from Gov. Ron DeSantis” after months of bashing the man the candidate called DeSanctimonious. Two top Trump campaign officials, Chris Lacivita and Susie Wiles, wrote a memo titled “Nikki Haley must win New Hampshire. Listen to her own supporters.” published and included many quotations.
Republican presidential candidates Nikki Haley (left) and Ron DeSantis (right) are pictured side by side. (Getty Images)
There is little question now that DeSantis and his campaign made a lot of mistakes and somehow burned through some $130 million with little success. There was overspending, endless resets and rebuilds, and constant tug-of-war with his Never Back Down Super PAC. As we neared the end, some days were managed by campaigns and other days by PACs.
Perhaps the biggest mistake, and I mentioned this to DeSantis in a previous Fox interview, was staying in the conservative cocoon too long. He should have been in the mainstream media from the moment he entered the race, instead of waiting until the last month or two. By then, DeSantis was far down the polls.
And he ultimately admitted in a radio interview with Hugh Hewitt that he regretted that decision and should have talked to CNN, MSNBC and other broadcasters sooner.
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Mr. DeSantis was also very restrained in his criticism of Mr. Trump, becoming a little harsher towards the end, leading media analysts to wonder how he could defeat the front-runner while still rolling with the punches. .
DeSantis worked hard and finished second in Iowa, but it was too late.
