Yes, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is running to be the Republican nominee for president. He just hasn’t made it official yet. Most political observers expect him to run and the general public is becoming interested in finding out who he is and what he offers. Case in point, the book sales for his memoir, “The Courage to Be Free: Florida’s Blueprint for America’s Survival,” outsold first week sales of books written by Trump, Hillary Clinton, and Barack Obama.

Even the Washington Post had to admit that DeSantis is running, stating the obvious, and reporting he is beginning to staff up in early primary states. Readers are curious to see what DeSantis has to say. His book explains his success in governing Florida. Make America Florida could be a campaign theme.

“The Courage to Be Free: Florida’s Blueprint for America’s Survival,” sold 94,300 copies in its first week, according to NPD BookScan, which tracks retail sales of US print books. The numbers go up to March 4 and include pre-orders but not e-books that people download onto their Kindles or other electronic devices.

Clinton’s memoir “Hard Choices,” about her time working in the Obama administration before mounting her 2016 presidential run, sold 86,200 copies in its first week, according to BookScan. Former President Barack Obama’s book “The Audacity of Hope,” as the then-Illinois US Senator became a rising star in the Democratic Party, sold 67,500 copies in its first week of sales, according to BookScan.

Trump’s 2015 campaign book “Crippled America” sold 27,687 copies in its first week, BookScan shows. At the time, the real estate mogul and reality TV star was launching a bid for the White House that many political insiders saw as a long shot.

It’s common practice for potential presidential candidates to publish a book to introduce themselves to voters and make a case as to why they would be a good president. DeSantis is on a book tour now and it is viewed as a soft launch of his presidential campaign. He’s been raising big bucks for Republicans across the country, including headlining Lincoln-Reagan dinners and other fundraising events. For example, the Harris County (Houston) Republican Party raised a million dollars last weekend from their Lincoln-Reagan dinner, a history-making record. U.S. Representatives Chip Roy and Monica De La Cruz were also featured as speakers. DeSantis also was the featured speaker at the Dallas County Republican Party’s Lincoln-Reagan last weekend. Those appearances came after his sold-out appearance at the Reagan Presidential Library. He’s on a roll.

He made his first trip to Iowa on Friday. The Des Moines Register did a little editorializing as it reported on his trip.

He railed against the “woke ideology” that has “infected” American institutions such as education, health care and business.

“There’s certain little enclaves in our country that may be popular,” he told a crowd of several hundred people at a Davenport casino Friday morning. “But it’s not popular with the vast majority of people. And I think it showed. From what we showed in Florida, not only can you have a good agenda and deliver, you can make big inroads with the electorate. And that’s exactly what we did. To go from a 32,000 to 1.5 million (vote) margin, it doesn’t happen by accident.”

After Davenport, he traveled to Des Moines where he met with lawmakers privately at the Iowa Capitol. He spoke to a crowd of about 600 people at the Iowa State Fairgrounds. Iowa plays an outsized role in helping choose the GOP presidential nominee and DeSantis is off to a good start there. Governor Kim Reynolds introduced him and spoke about her friendship with DeSantis. Attendees seem to like what they heard from him.

“I think he has the potential to be another Reagan,” said Davenport resident Donald Halterman, who attended the event with his wife, Joyce. Both gushed about DeSantis’ record, particularly when it comes to education, and his potential as a likely presidential candidate.

“I was a supporter of Trump. I still support Trump,” Donald Halterman said. “I just liked this man. … His personality I think is what this country needs.”

Some Republicans are getting antsy and are working to push DeSantis to declare his candidacy. Former Trump administration official (and Attorney General of Virginia) Ken Cuccinelli launched a PAC to support DeSantis. His is a high-profile defection from the Trump camp.

But Cuccinelli announced Thursday that rather than support Trump’s third bid for the White House, he is launching Never Back Down PAC, a new political action committee that will support DeSantis’ potential 2024 presidential run.

Cuccinelli’s decision to back DeSantis over Trump in the Republican primary is one of the most high-profile defections by a former Trump stalwart in the early stages of the campaign season. It comes at a time when potential and declared candidates are jockeying to line up support.

The financial support will be good, of course, but I don’t think DeSantis needs a lot of strong encouragement at this point. He’s made his decision. He’s running. Reports are that he is privately telling people that he is running.

Trump will be in Iowa on Monday. Nikki Haley has been there, as have Mike Pompeo and Tim Scott. Iowans expect face time with potential or announced candidates. Trump is making it his mission to try to knock out DeSantis before he gets into the race. He’s flailing on Truth Social against DeSantis. He accused DeSantis of trying to ‘kill ethanol’ – an important issue to Iowa farmers.

‘Why on earth (farmer’s love earth!) would the wonderful people of the GREAT State of Iowa vote for Ron DeSanctimonious when he voted and fought to KILL Ethanol (and will definitely do so if given the chance),’ Trump wrote on his Truth Social website Thursday night.

‘He will be in Iowa on Friday to beg for mercy. I supported Ethanol, FIRED NAFTA, & made USMCA & China Trade Deals!’

While in Congress in 2017, DeSantis co-sponsored legislation that would have immediately ended the Renewable Fuel Standard, a mandate that requires renewable fuel to be blended into the nation’s fuel supply.

One of those requirements is met by corn starch ethanol. Iowa produces more corn than any other state.

As I said, DeSantis is off to a good start. He’s smart to wait until the Florida Legislature finishes its session to make his announcement. He’s gaining steam nationally and that’s important as we head into the thick of the primary season. The field is very small right now, with only Trump, Haley, and Vivek Ramaswamy as declared candidates. You’ll notice that Trump is only attacking DeSantis. He knows who his competition will be.