Karl Rove says Iowa 'do or die' for DeSantis

GOP strategist Karl Rove is really hoping Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis will somehow win the Iowa caucuses or come in a close second to former President Donald Trump, of whom Rove is not a fan.

DeSantis needs to "do or die" in Iowa, or it's over for him, Rove said in a Fox News interview that aired on Saturday.

“Iowa is do or die. He’s putting a lot of effort there. He has the governor of the popular governor, Kim Reynolds. He won the support of a key leader in the evangelical community, Vander Plaats,” Rove said.

Rove is choosing to believe that Trump will finish first in Iowa with under 50% of the vote, and that either DeSantis or former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley will finish a strong second.

Currently, Trump is polling at an average of 47% in Iowa, with DeSantis at 17% and Haley at 14%.

Such a finish there would significantly diminish both DeSantis and Haley's chances of moving forward in the race.