DeSantis Forced To Adjust Campaign Strategy As Support Falters

Florida Republican Governor Ron DeSantis is being forced to adjust his political strategy after former President Donald Trump and his MAGA allies have attacked DeSantis in recent weeks.

“DeSantis began the year with clear momentum in the nascent GOP presidential primary, topping former President Trump in head-to-head polling,” The Hill’s Max Greenwood wrote, before suggesting DeSantis’ momentum is “stalling.”

DeSantis has been attacked for his response to Trump’s rumored New York indictment, his comments about the Russia/Ukraine conflict, and his association with GOP establishment figures like Paul Ryan.

His response is WEAK
It sounds like Karl Rove or Jen Bush wrote the response. Attempting to take both sides and doing so unsuccessfully. He’s going to ruin himself politically w weak and crappy responses like this. #DoneWithDesantis

— 🇺🇸America First Stacy🇺🇸 (@Discoveringme40) March 20, 2023

The Florida governor began to shift his persona and developed a more aggressive tone in an interview with Piers Morgan this week. DeSantis finally responded to Trump’s criticism of him, calling the Trump attacks “just background noise.”

“It’s not important for me to be fighting with people on social media. It’s not accomplishing anything for the people I represent,” he added.

He went on to criticize Trump’s leadership during his administration, suggesting Trump’s agenda led to “daily drama.”

“I also think just in terms of my approach to leadership, I get personnel in the government who have the agenda of the people and share our agenda. You bring your own agenda in, you’re gone. So, the way we run the Government I think is no daily drama, focus on the big picture and put points on the board and I think that’s something that’s .very important.”

The Florida governor also took a hit at Trump for not firing Dr. Anthony Fauci.

Desantis is asked to name some differences between him and Trump: “I would’ve fired somebody like Fauci .. I also think my approach to leadership .. No daily drama, focus on the big picture, and put points on the board.” pic.twitter.com/X73ehgm4hl

— Ron Filipkowski (@RonFilipkowski) March 22, 2023

DeSantis’ comments with Piers Morgan were one of the first times the governor blatantly criticized Trump. The former president responded to DeSantis’ criticisms on social media.

“While I am fighting against Radical Left Lunatics, Persecutors, and unfair Prosecutors who want to destroy us all, Ron DeSanctimonious is not working for the people of Florida as he should be, he is too busy chatting with a Ratings Challenged TV Host from England, desperately trying to rescue his failing Campaign—But it’s my fault, I put him there!” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

One GOP strategist told The Hill that Trump’s constant pressure on DeSantis is going to make the Florida governor’s expected 2024 run suffer before it is even announced. “Look, the donor class knows who Ron DeSantis is and what he has done. But a lot of voters don’t. Donald Trump recognizes that he has a chance to define DeSantis before DeSantis has a chance to get out and tell his story.”

That strategist cited a Morning Consult poll released this week which revealed DeSantis’ support in a hypothetical GOP primary had reached its lowest since December. Compared to Trump’s 54 percent of support, DeSantis sits at 26 percent.

“As Trump awaits potential indictment on charges related to a 2016 hush money scheme with adult-film star Stormy Daniels, he has posted one of his largest polling leads in the 2024 Republican primary. The latest survey shows 54% of potential primary voters support the former president, compared with 26% who are backing Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, tying his expected opponent’s lowest level of support since tracking began in December,” the poll noted.