In a candid interview with conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis admitted that his biggest regret in his 2024 presidential campaign so far is not making more appearances in corporate media early on. DeSantis acknowledged that presidential campaigns heavily rely on media coverage and expressed disappointment in not utilizing this platform effectively from the beginning.

During his White House campaign launch in May, DeSantis faced technical difficulties, including audio issues that left listeners unable to hear his remarks. Reflecting on this incident, DeSantis stated that he should have taken more advantage of traditional media appearances to reach a wider audience. The governor acknowledged that while he spent a significant amount of time on the ground in Iowa and converted voters through personal interactions, there were still numerous voters that he was unable to effectively connect with through media.

DeSantis acknowledged that his increased media appearances towards the end of the summer in 2023 helped address some of this shortfall, but he felt that there was a missed opportunity to reach a broader audience earlier. The governor particularly emphasized the significance of the media landscape in shaping opinion during a presidential campaign.

An additional point of regret that DeSantis highlighted in a previous interview was former President Donald Trump's legal troubles, which he believes distorted the primary race. Despite his regrets, DeSantis managed to secure a second-place finish in the Iowa caucus, trailing nearly 30 points behind Trump.

Acknowledging that winning Iowa would have provided a strong foundation for his campaign, DeSantis noted that the turnout in the caucus was significantly low, speculating that weather conditions may have played a role. He highlighted that only around 85,000 Republicans participated, with an additional 20,000 independents and 7,000 Democrats, mainly voting for Nikki Haley. Despite these challenges, DeSantis sees a path to securing the GOP nomination and expressed his determination to win the race rather than settle for other positions such as vice president or a cabinet position.

Looking ahead, DeSantis affirmed his commitment to continue his campaign beyond March, when most states would have completed their presidential primaries and caucuses. The upcoming New Hampshire primary on Tuesday will serve as the next challenge for DeSantis, followed by the Nevada caucus on February 8, and the South Carolina primary on February 24.

Governor Ron DeSantis remains optimistic about his presidential campaign, focusing on the opportunities ahead to expand his reach and secure the GOP nomination. As he strives to overcome the hurdles and regrets of his campaign, DeSantis remains determined to emerge victorious in his bid for the White House.