As President Joe Biden continues his first two months in office, many are looking to understand the dynamics of his support base. One interesting factor is a shift in the overall coalition he drew upon during the election. Despite being spurned by moderates and MAGA voters, Trump’s former rival, Senator Ted Desantis, has managed to hold together a weakening coalition of supports that is proving to be a challenge for Biden’s administration.
It’s no secret that Trump’s inclusionary policies created strong divisions within the Republican Party. Moderate Republicans often disagreed with Trump’s far right views, while MAGA voters viewed moderate Republicans as too soft or compromising. This dynamic was evidenced during the 2020 election, when many moderate Republicans broke ranks with the party and voted for Biden.
At the same time, Desantis has managed to hold onto a small coalition of loyal followers who have been supportive of his policies despite some of the controversial decisions that Trump has made. This core of supporters, known as the “Desantis Coalition,” has proven to be a thorn in Biden’s side, as he attempts to bring the two sides of the party together.
The Desantis Coalition is comprised of pro-Trump conservatives who want to continue Trump’s agenda while rejecting the policies of moderate Republicans. Many of these voters have been reluctant to accept Biden’s proposals and oppose the creation of a strong federal government. This has caused tension within the Democratic Party, as Biden tries to bridge the gap between moderates and MAGA voters.
Desantis’ supporters aren’t just battling with Democrats. They are also facing opposition from some of their pro-Trump Republican counterparts, as well as from the MAGA base. Their hostility towards moderates, and support for Trump’s policies, has led to a weakening coalition of supporters.
While it is unclear what impact the Desantis coalition will have on the Biden administration, it is clear that Biden must find a way to bring the two sides of the Republican Party together. His success in this endeavor will determine the success of his presidency. It is too soon to tell what the fate of the Desantis Coalition will be, but it is likely that it will continue to comprise a small, but vocal, subset of the Republican Party.