Ron DeSantis’s presidential calculus

Published February 24, 2023 12:36pm ET



Former President Donald Trump was out this week doing what he does best — tossing MAGA hats into a crowd, handing bottles of water to locals near the Ohio toxic train wreck, and charming supporters with banter about how he knows the McDonald’s menu better than anyone else. He has the common touch.

It contrasted starkly with President Joe Biden’s distant monitoring of the disaster and with the hapless Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. But there’s a silver lining for Biden in Trump’s strong week and polling gains. After all, he’d love to find himself running again in 2024 against the foe he vanquished two years ago. Trump may be the only Republican heavyweight who wouldn’t beat Biden. So, the incumbent and his handlers won’t see it as all bad news that the orange man is enjoying some limelight.

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