The 2021 election reinforced the difficult path that lies ahead for Democrats in their efforts to keep unified control of Washington, particularly with President Biden’s numbers having declined. And the jockeying for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination began long ago.
Below are our extremely early rankings of who could be in the running for it — with the important caveat that most or all of the first nine probably don’t run if No. 1 does. As usual, this is in order of how likely their nomination would seem to be.
10. Mike Pompeo: The big question with Pompeo is just how compelling he actually is as a candidate.
9. Greg Abbott: The Texas governor is one of two big-state governors, along with Florida’s Ron DeSantis, who have gone to great lengths to establish their Trump-era-conservative bona fides — as opposed to more traditionally conservative ones.
8. Chris Christie: There is precious little evidence that the GOP will turn against Trumpism anytime soon; anybody betting on that taking place by 2024 had better get some extremely favorable odds. But if there’s one national player who could drive that message, it might be former New Jersey governor Christie
7. Donald Trump Jr.: If the elder Trump doesn’t run and the GOP base continues to place such a high premium on owning the libs over governing chops, virtually nobody else on this list has shown such an ability to give it what it wants
6. Ted Cruz: The question as ever with Cruz is whether anyone really likes him enough, and whether the Trump base would ever trust him after what he pulled at the 2016 convention.
5. Mike Pence: He’s still a former vice president, but one who could sure use the type of party-wide turning of the page that Christie needs.
4. Tim Scott: Scott would enter the 2024 race with more of a chance to craft his own message rather than having to relive old battles. The drawback here is that the spotlight can be harsh, and Scott doesn’t have as much experience with it.
3. Nikki Haley: Haley is the biggest enigma on this list. There’s something to be said for trying to be all things to all people, sure; but it’s been gobsmacking.
2. Ron DeSantis: If there’s no Trump, and there’s a desire for a Trumpism-without-Trump (and without another Trump) candidate, DeSantis is that guy right now — and it’s not very close
1. Donald Trump: If he runs, he’s the overwhelming favorite, and most or all of the above don’t run against him, because what’s the point?
Also mentioned: Rick Scott, Kristi L. Noem, Josh Hawley, Glenn Youngkin, Liz Cheney, Larry Hogan, Tom Cotton
Complete Article: Washington Post
In case of paywall, try: Deseret News (which adds Tom Cotton and Kristie Noem to the list)