Politico reports:

If Gov. Ron DeSantis is using his current book tour to soft-launch a likely 2024 campaign, he’ll be very happy with the results.

Roughly 250 Florida residents lined up outside a Books-A-Million store in Jacksonville Beach on Thursday morning to meet DeSantis, who started a national book tour this week to sell his autobiography “The Courage to Be Free” — and ostensibly himself.

The crowd made it clear they want DeSantis to run, even it means taking on former President Donald Trump.

“Donald needs to retire and I love Donald,” said Nita Spatola, who was wearing a DeSantis for governor cap and a rhinestone pin that said “DeSantis.” “This is the man who is going to change the direction of this country.”

Steve Watts offered his own blunt assessment about why he prefers DeSantis over Trump: “The former president is a too big for his britches. He thinks his stuff doesn’t stink.” [Continue reading…]