Ron DeSantis has taken his enthusiasm for the anti-vaxxer cause to a new level. He is now refusing to answer questions about whether he has taken the booster. His silence has generated negative comments from no less than Donald Trump. Given that Trump supports the vaccine and that anti-vaxxers are unpopular with the general public, what in the world is DeSantis up to?
Three things. First of all, as I have noted before, he is all in with the notion that elections are about base mobilization, not attracting votes from swing voters. This approach probably makes sense in 2022–not necessarily in 2024, if he runs for president. Second, extreme right-wing ideas can become the orthodox positions of the GOP with frightening speed. Third, DeSantis is positioning himself to run from the right against Trump if the circumstances call for it. I doubt he would do it, but the election is years away, and you never know . . .