Axelrod: DeSantis ‘in most jeopardy’ on GOP debate stage

David Axelrod, a former senior adviser to President Obama, said Sunday he thinks Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is in the “most jeopardy” when it comes to the GOP debate stage in Milwaukee.

In a panel discussion on CNN’s “State of the Union,” Axelrod said DeSantis has a lot to lose ahead of the debate, noting it could cost him his spot as the runner-up GOP candidate to former President Trump, who has consistently led the pack of candidates by double-digit points.

“I think DeSantis is the guy who is in most jeopardy here. He started off — his whole candidacy was premised on, he was the alternative to Trump,” Axelrod said. “[DeSantis has] been doing nothing but sinking since he became a candidate. And now he’s in jeopardy of losing that distinction as being Trump’s principal challenger.”

“And that’s an opportunity for everybody else on the stage,” Axelrod added. 

The first GOP 2024 presidential primary debate will take place Wednesday. Reports have indicated that Trump does not plan to attend.

“I have said from the beginning that Trump would be nuts to show up. He’s got a gargantuan lead. DeSantis said the other day that his followers — he implied that Trump’s followers were like listless vessels,” Axelrod said.

“But his not being there means, once everybody … who wants to — Chris Christie, most likely — take shots at him, they’re going to turn to each other.”