It is clear that DeSantis believes the GOP base is looking for a more electable, more competent, more conventional version of Trump. He can provide tangible results on wokeness; Trump only provides noise and drama. Is he right?
No, because Trump’s base relishes his transgressions. They respond emotionally to his endless cycles of outrage, blue team response, and cries of victimization. What most of us see as corruption and incompetence assures them that he will never sell them out. They will cheer him on when he burns it down; that is what they want, too.
DeSantis’ plodding style says “establishment” to the base. No matter how much red meat he delivers to them, he can’t speak for them the way Trump does. He would be wise to stop trying.