It's Iowa Caucus Day, and the Republican primary candidates' paths forward from here on out are on the line. Former President Donald Trump maintains his massive lead in the polls. However, Governor Ron DeSantis (R-FL) said in a recent appearance on Fox and Friends First, "I always like being the underdog," and suggested some Republicans who have endorsed Trump publicly will vote for Gov. DeSantis privately.
"Well, the thing is, I think [Trump] puts a lot of pressure on these guys to do it, like 'endorse or else,' and so some of them do that because they think it is the path of least resistance," said Gov. DeSantis, adding that many who support Trump dislike his trashing of Governor Kim Reynolds (R-IA), who endorsed DeSantis in November.
Moreover, DeSantis reiterated, "We are all Republicans. I want all Republicans to do well. There is a Republican governor who endorsed another candidate, but they are doing well? I am not going to trash them. I am glad they are doing it. I think every Republican should look at Governor Reynolds and say, 'You know what, she is getting the job done.' And I think with Trump, that is not how he sees it. If she does not endorse him, then he trashes her, but you cannot build a movement like that."
Host Steve Doocy then asked what would be considered a victory in the caucus for DeSantis, which could set the trajectory of his campaign going forward.
"I always like being the underdog," the Florida Governor answered, "I mean that has been true. So I think that we have done it right here. I think you are going to see that tonight. I think people are going to say, 'You know what, this guy did a good job.' And I have been up against a lot. I mean, I have had more money spent against me than Biden and Trump combined. I mean, almost $50 million. Now we knew, obviously, the media would be against us. So we have had a lot of things to contend with, and we just kept our heads down, we showed up, we made the case, and I think you are going to see good results," DeSantis concluded.
The latest RealClearPolitics poll puts Trump at 52.5%, South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley at 18.7%, and DeSantis at 15.5%.
But everyone likes an underdog, and we will see the results soon.
