DeSantis hits Republican poll low as Trump tightens grip on primary

[brooklynite]

The Guardian

Donald Trump may be in legal trouble over his alleged weakness for vice, but his predicament is increasingly placing Ron DeSantis – his chief rival for the Republican presidential nomination – in a political vise.

The Florida governor must join Republican attacks on Alvin Bragg, the Democratic Manhattan district attorney whose indictment of Trump over a hush money payment to a porn star is reportedly imminent, while trying not to lose ground in a primary he has not formally entered.

DeSantis has floated criticism of Trump over the hush money payment – and indeed did so again on Tuesday in an interview with Fox Nation that prompted Trump to say he was “not working for the people of Florida as he should be”.

The same day, however, a new poll showed how Trump, who is also fundraising off his legal peril, has tightened his grip on the primary race.

[Aristus]

1. I would love it if whichever of them loses the primary mounts a third-party bid.

It's probably too much to hope for. In election cycles past, the GOP has managed to restore discipline in a rowdy electorate, and get them all goosestepping to the polls. Is a 1992 repeat anywhere on the horizon?

[brooklynite]

2. Not possible.

Too many States have "sore loser" laws blocking an Independent candidacy.

[Aristus]

3. Still, Trump and Desantis may have followers fanatical enough

to simply stay home and do laundry on Election Day, whichever of them doesn't get the nom.

[PortTack]

6. Been saying that myself for some time! Tfg will tell his cult to stay home..and they will

[DemocraticPatriot]

4. That is not actually true for presidential candidates---

according to my recent research, there are only TWO states where 'sore-loser laws' would prevent an independent PRESIDENTIAL candidacy after participation in a primary campaign--- if I recall correctly, one of them was South Dakota and the other was some other state with few electoral votes.

so so-called 'sore loser laws' would be of little impediment to an independent Trump candidacy. Yes, many states have them, and they apply to practically every other elected office, but not the presidency. I don't know why, but it is what it is.

[JCMach1]

5. Trump will be on the ballot R. Nominee,.or not