Ron DeSantis’s presidential calculus

Former President Donald Trump was out this week doing what he does best — tossing MAGA hats into a crowd, handing bottles of water to locals near the Ohio toxic train wreck, and charming supporters with banter about how he knows the McDonald’s menu better than anyone else. He has the common touch.

It contrasted starkly with President Joe Biden’s distant monitoring of the disaster and with the hapless Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. But there’s a silver lining for Biden in Trump’s strong week and polling gains. After all, he’d love to find himself running again in 2024 against the foe he vanquished two years ago. Trump may be the only Republican heavyweight who wouldn’t beat Biden. So, the incumbent and his handlers won’t see it as all bad news that the orange man is enjoying some limelight.

It’s Trump’s GOP rivals who are gnashing their teeth. Gov. Ron DeSantis might be more concerned than anyone, as he is still on the fence about running and his poll numbers are slipping as the afterglow fades from his 19-point landslide election win last November.

The Florida governor is spending three late February days with donors in Palm Beach, a gathering that smells strongly like preparation for a presidential campaign. And DeSantis may be recalibrating how long he should wait — is it still the end of the state legislative session in May? — before pulling the trigger.