Ron was more of a threat before he branded himself as an extremist. One of the strategic problems Republicans will face moving forward is that the things one needs to do and say to win a Republican primary make you unpalatable for a General Election.
Tim Scott, Chris Sununu, Asa Hutchinson, and Nikki Haley would be dangerous in the General but will never make it out of the Primary.
DeSantis is putting all his energy in to winning the Primary, and in so doing, damaging his brand, and making himself unelectable for the General.