It seems to be a foregone conclusion that it's a two-horse race, but there's a lot of time on the clock.

It's not impossible that a moderate conservative could take advantage of this GOP identity crisis.

If there's a Trump/Desantis split, and a solid right-center candidate emerges, things could get tricky.

Beyond that, the worst-case scenario for Republicans would be Trump going all Trump and running independently if he doesn't get the nomination, which would ensure the Democrats keep the White House.

Haley is probably in the position you describe.

It's either Trump or DeSantis. 3rd place will be lucky to get 5%.

The more people in the race, the better chance Trump has to win it.

If Haley wants to play spoiler, she should run as an independent. She won't even be a speedbump in the GOP primaries.

DeSantis has the only chance to bring the moderate conservatives back and likely with the help of someone like Haley for VP. Donald is DOA for moderates to be fooled again.

agz win said:

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DeSantis has the only chance to bring the moderate conservatives back and likely with the help of someone like Haley for VP. Donald is DOA for moderates to be fooled again.

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Imagine what DeSantis has to support to get the moderates to back him. Talk about poisoning the well.

I like this Vivek Ramaswamy guy for down the road, but won't happen in 2024.

Youngkin is one who could draw some interest.

I think DeSantis has a stronger record of accomplishment, and I like that he wields power unapologetically to dismantle the woke agenda in a less abrasive -- and more effective -- way than Trump.

But you're right... it's too early to call the race or even the top two. A lot can change before the primaries. We're roughly a year out.

Bookmark this, if it is Trump-Biden I think that Liz Cheney runs third-party. She won't win but it's a scenario where neither party is excited about their candidate.

Trump is polling over 50% which means it's a one horse race.

Another dark horse in the race Steve Laffey. If he makes it to a debate that's where he shines. Maybe the most intelligent one out there.

agz win said:

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DeSantis has the only chance to bring the moderate conservatives back and likely with the help of someone like Haley for VP. Donald is DOA for moderates to be fooled again.

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Trump IS a moderate. Weird statement.

On one hand, I almost want Desantis to wait four years because Trump is the pigeon on the chess board in this deal. And Trump can't win the general so it's a complete waste of time. This deal is going to be a mess.

On the other hand, if there is any chance in Desantis getting the worst President in American history out of office then I don't want to forego that chance.

torrid said:

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If Haley wants to play spoiler, she should run as an independent. She won't even be a speedbump in the GOP primaries.

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Haley would never do that. She's smart enough (and Republican enough) to know that would only split the Republican vote and literally hand the election to the democrats.

Trump, on the other hand... would do this out of spite, no giving 2 sheets about anything except his own ego.

Ag CPA said:

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Haley is probably in the position you describe.

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I feel like she is angling to be on the ticket.

I don't see the GOP nominating a woman.

She would beat the doors off Biden though.

TxAgswin said:

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Ag CPA said:

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Haley is probably in the position you describe.

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I feel like she is angling to be on the ticket.

I don't see the GOP nominating a woman.

She would beat the doors off Biden though.

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Why? I do. Maybe not with this weird race this year but they would.

zephyr88 said:

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torrid said:

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If Haley wants to play spoiler, she should run as an independent. She won't even be a speedbump in the GOP primaries.

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Haley would never do that. She's smart enough (and Republican enough) to know that would only split the Republican vote and literally hand the election to the democrats.

Trump, on the other hand... would do this out of spite, no giving 2 sheets about anything except his own ego.

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If trump is not the nominee and runs as a third party candidate, he will become "H .Ross Perot 2.0"
and hand the election to the DemoRats
at this point , Desantis is not even running.at this time

Crow Valley said:

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Another dark horse in the race Steve Laffey. If he makes it to a debate that's where he shines. Maybe the most intelligent one out there.

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Never heard of him until now.

Just looked him up. I like him. That's the kind of conservative I miss.

"Restore the 'C' in Conservative" meaning civility. I love it. He also has the line "Unite and Restore America" - that's good messaging in my mind.

Although he's very much a fringe candidate. His website is freaking awful. Like really, really bad. The first thing he needs to do in order to be taken seriously is to hire a web developer.

Haley has zero chance.

DeSantis is going to have to have to really impress, bringing his A+++ game in every phase of his campaign. He is fading, everyone sees it. But maybe this is 5D chess by the MSM.

Ron DeSantis' donors and allies question if he's ready for 2024

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Why? I do. Maybe not with this weird race this year but they would.

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Yeah, it's not impossible, just unlikely. And you're right, definitely not in this cycle.

I think it's almost a guarantee that the running mate will be a woman.

I wasn't trying to throw stones with that comment, but I kind of will - there still exists a bunch of misogyny among conservatives. I don't see the first female President being a Republican.

Prove me wrong.

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I don't see the first female President being a Republican.

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Did you mean "elected" or just first female POTUS?

TxAgswin said:

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Crow Valley said:

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Another dark horse in the race Steve Laffey. If he makes it to a debate that's where he shines. Maybe the most intelligent one out there.

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Never heard of him until now.

Just looked him up. I like him. That's the kind of conservative I miss.

"Restore the 'C' in Conservative" meaning civility. I love it. He also has the line "Unite and Restore America" - that's good messaging in my mind.

Although he's very much a fringe candidate. His website is freaking awful. Like really, really bad. The first thing he needs to do in order to be taken seriously is to hire a web developer.

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Liked the response. If you ever listen to him talk, you'll walk away saying " You know Hes right". I haven't been on his website but will pass the suggestion on. Met him 13 years ago and is a very good friend. If I get him to upgrade Website, you get the credit.

He can't run independently because of sore loser laws

agz win said:

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DeSantis has the only chance to bring the moderate conservatives back and likely with the help of someone like Haley for VP. Donald is DOA for moderates to be fooled again.

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Moderate conservatives like politicians like Bush Sr. and George W., McCain and Romney. DeSantis and some of the stuff he's doing in Florida right now is too far right for all of the moderate conservatives in my family and my group of friends and neighbors. They all see Trump as the more moderate option when the only other choice is DeSantis.

Ags77 said:

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The more people in the race, the better chance Trump has to win it.

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Yep, Trump benefitted from that turd in the punchbowl Kasich refusing to drop out, so that Cruz never had a one on one debate down the stretch.

Trump probably has the highest floor, but the majority will prefer someone else if it comes down to a 2 person race.

My thoughts? Trump ceases his campaign, throws his weight behind DeSantis. At which point in the primaries? Is the only question for me.

Why would he do that if he is polling over 50%?

aggiehawg said:

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My thoughts? Trump ceases his campaign, throws his weight behind DeSantis. At which point in the primaries? Is the only question for me.

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I think Trump plans to see his campaign through to the finish line. He wants to be president again. Also, I have heard that Trump winning the election will help keep him out of jail if all of these court cases keep being thrown his way. Is that true?

Ellis Wyatt said:

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agz win said:

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DeSantis has the only chance to bring the moderate conservatives back and likely with the help of someone like Haley for VP. Donald is DOA for moderates to be fooled again.

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Trump IS a moderate. Weird statement.

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Misspelled "liberal".

The Debt said:

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agz win said:

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DeSantis has the only chance to bring the moderate conservatives back and likely with the help of someone like Haley for VP. Donald is DOA for moderates to be fooled again.

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Imagine what DeSantis has to support to get the moderates to back him. Talk about poisoning the well.

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He already has done this in Florida, this last election.

BigRobSA said:

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Ellis Wyatt said:

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agz win said:

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DeSantis has the only chance to bring the moderate conservatives back and likely with the help of someone like Haley for VP. Donald is DOA for moderates to be fooled again.

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Trump IS a moderate. Weird statement.

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Misspelled "liberal".

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Wait, what?

Somebody on another posted that Rupert Murdoch was a liberal, which was funny and unsettling at the same time. But now TRUMP is liberal?

If Trump is liberal, who is a moderate? I'm scared to even ask what a true conservative looks like.

Do you think that Democrats are lizard people from outer space? Do you sell supplements on a podcast based out of Austin?

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Did you mean "elected" or just first female POTUS?

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Yeah, I guess specifically I meant elected. Fair point considering Biden is getting up there and Trump is same age(?) and he would likely select a female running mate.

Trump's running mate, holy hell what a **** task that would be.

"....So the last guy kept his mouth shut for 3 years, 11 months, and three weeks. Now my millions of supporters want him dead and we're both okay with that. Welcome aboard. Your office is over there. Stay in there until I say you can come out."