Ukraine flap may signal DeSantis ‘growing pains’ ahead of likely 2024 campaign

The way Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) handled a significant foreign policy issue has led to renewed scrutiny of him as the probable 2024 presidential candidate. This situation has caused Republicans to believe he will have to refine his approach should he choose to run for president.

DeSantis, who has yet to declare his candidacy for president, took a stand on Russia’s war in Ukraine in a candidate questionnaire for Fox News host Tucker Carlson, which sparked a barrage of criticism followed by several clarification efforts from the normally assured governor.

Many Republicans think that this debacle does not bode well for DeSantis’s readiness for a nationwide campaign and his understanding of the GOP primary electorate on Ukraine.

“If you truly are interested in running for president of the United States, you’ve got to get better at this,” said a veteran Republican campaign expert who frequently speaks to donors. The expert called the situation “bizarre.”

A few others blamed the people in DeSantis’s orbit for seizing on Carlson’s inquiries as an opportunity to lock the governor into their camp. However, several presidential hopefuls declined to answer the questionnaire.

A spokesperson for DeSantis declined to comment.

After defining the Russia-Ukraine war as a “territorial dispute,” DeSantis attempted to clarify his comments in an interview with Piers Morgan as referring to the battle in the eastern Donbas region and the 2014 capture of Crimea.

DeSantis was branded as “weak” by former Wyoming GOP Rep. Liz Cheney and was criticized by Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Marco Rubio (R-FL) for his effort.

Several GOP operatives dismissed the hiccup as the natural “growing pains” of a new candidate finding his footing on a fraught issue.

It’s not just Republicans who have scrutinized DeSantis’s stance on Ukraine. President Joe Biden’s allies have also seen a chance to put a wedge among the governor and the broad electorate, illustrating the challenge DeSantis faces when trying to evolve his vision ahead of his predicted presidential run.

DeSantis secured a landslide victory in a battleground during the 2022 midterm elections, including Democratic Miami-Dade County, which some Republicans view as a path to regaining the White House. However, it is uncertain whether the governor can gain enough support to defeat Trump.

“Ron has a problem or many problems,” said one strategist. “His challenge is going to be the translation of his popularity with donors, consultant groups, and political powerhouses to the actual voter.”