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JONES: Ron DeSantis Will Never Be The Republican Nominee
The opinion argues that Ron DeSantis’s recent criticism of the Iran war will not make him a viable Republican presidential nominee in 2028. It says his shift towards anti-war arguments came only after election results showed public opposition, while other potential candidates had opposed US support for Israel’s actions and further war for years.
The article cites DeSantis’s comments that Israel sought regime change in Iran, that imposing it would require resources Americans do not want to provide, and that administration officials gave conflicting reasons for the war. It contrasts these remarks with his 2023 trip to Jerusalem, where he signed Florida legislation addressing antisemitic harassment; his office described it as protecting both religious liberty and Israel. The writer argues that this record leaves DeSantis open to questions about where he stood when it mattered.
In short
- DeSantis criticised the Iran war after election results showed public opposition.
- The writer says his earlier record undermines his anti-war positioning.
- The article argues other Republicans may challenge him over that record.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
DeSantis’s recent criticism may not persuade Republican voters that his position on the Iran war reflects durable conviction, given his earlier support for Israel and the timing of his shift. Rivals who opposed further US involvement sooner could argue that consistency matters in a nominee, especially on questions of war and the use of American resources.
The case against
A candidate’s views can reasonably change as events develop and the costs or aims of a war become clearer; earlier support for Israel does not necessarily imply support for regime change in Iran. DeSantis’s stated concerns about resources, public willingness and conflicting explanations could therefore be judged on their merits, while his broader record and appeal to Republican voters—not this episode alone—would shape his prospects.