Canadian Politics Today

DeSantis hanging tough despite the mainstream media giving Trump endless coverage, and turning him into a sympathetic figure to GOP voters.

Among those likely caucusgoers, 42% say they plan to support Trump — a lead of 23 percentage points over DeSantis, who is at 19%. U.S. Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina follows in third place with 9%. 
https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/politics/iowa-poll/caucus/2023/08/21/iowa-poll-donald-trump-holds-commanding-lead-5-months-to-caucuses/70624481007/

What a colossal failure his campaign turned out to be. Whodathunk massive state overreach to quell dissent wouldn't be popular in a party that is foremost for limited government?

The campaign has barely started. 

What a colossal failure his campaign turned out to be. Whodathunk massive state overreach to quell dissent wouldn't be popular in a party that is foremost for limited government?

Actually state overreach is quite popular in Republican circles. As long as its overreaching in the correct ways... forcing 10 year old girls to give birth to babies of the men who sexually assaulted them, jailing black people who think "maybe there might be a problem with cops shooting black people more than white".

I think the problem is that 1) meatball ron does not have ANY charisma on which to build a cult, and 2) he doesn't have any policies to appeal to people beyond a limited base. (At least Trump could fool people when he first ran to make him think "maybe he won't be so bad towards gay people", etc. With Govenor puddingfingers, we knew right from the start "this guy is a problem")