Donors and DeSantis supporters are starting to debate whether he should run in 2024 or wait until 2028

[image error]

Donors and supporters of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis are beginning to debate whether the potential Republican 2024 presidential nominee should run in the next election cycle — a bid that would put him against former President Donald Trump — or wait until in 2028, according to reports.

According to a report by NBC News, donors and DeSantis supporters are having doubts about the prospect of the governor’s possible presidential bid. According to the report, one of the main issues appears to be the governor’s ability to take on Trump – who has been critical of the governor for months – head-on.

According to the report:

At a Sunday lunch after the annual Red Cross Ball in Palm Beach, Florida, a group of 16 prominent Republicans, described by one attendee as a mix of DeSantis supporters and Trump ‘skeptics’, discussed doubts about the governor’s position going forward if he clashes with the former president.

One attendee told the outlet that these people believe DeSantis’ future is better secured without confronting Trump directly this election cycle.

“He will be healed” by the former president, according to the participant.

The report also highlighted new hesitancy by some of DeSantis’ supporters, including what NBC News described as “billionaire conservative freight-transportation mogul Richard Uihlein” and his wife, who gave around half a million in contributions. to DeSantis’ re-election campaign. NBC News, citing someone “familiar with the strategy” around their spending, said, “The brakes are pumped,” in part because of DeSantis’ waning status in recent surveys. And, indeed, Trump continued to grow in survey after survey, even garnering 50 percent or more as DeSantis appears to be losing momentum, especially after news of Trump’s pending indictment and what some conservatives see as the governor insufficient response. On Monday, two days after Trump initially announced his suspicions of an upcoming arrest, DeSantis said journalists that his administration “will not be involved” in a “circus made by certain Soros [backed] DA,” essentially dismissing it as a non-issue.

Meanwhile, recent polls show a boost for Trump as DeSantis’ numbers fall or remain flat. For example, a Harvard/Harris survey released this week found that Trump first the hypothetical 2024 GOP primary field of 26 points over DeSantis. This week’s Morning Consult survey told a similar story, with Trump expansion his lead over DeSantis at +28% in the past week alone. DeSantis, however, has sadly stated that he does not base his governance or his approach on fickle polls.

NBC News continued, noting that he had spoken to several GOP strategists and donors, asking if they thought it was possible for DeSantis to make a comeback.

An individual described as a “Republican campaign operative who regularly speaks to donors” said it was possible DeSantis had peaked and added that the governor’s response to Trump’s possible indictment “really indicates how he was far behind the eight ball”.

“DeSantis is on a book tour. He’s raging in the country and his polls are down,” another strategist said, noting that Trump, who is potentially on the verge of indictment, is rising in the polls.

“It’s just not a good look for DeSantis,” the individual added.

Another donor told the outlet he doesn’t believe DeSantis can “ignore” Trump for too long. However, DeSantis, who regularly avoids outright criticism of Trump publicly, pointed to some issues with Trump during his recent interview with Piers Morgan, criticize aspects of his leadership style, but continues to dismiss Trump’s criticism as “noise” as the former president has stepped up his attacks.

“Now that Ron DeSanctimonious is finally admitting he’s in the race starting to fight back, and now that his polls have crashed so he has no other choice, let me explain the facts,” began Trump in a Truth Social thread this week:

DeSantis, however, has yet to announce a presidential candidacy and he is rumored not to do so until the end of Florida’s legislative session.

Via NBC News:

“Ron DeSantis’ looming candidacy is absolutely keeping people out,” said a Republican strategist who, like others, spoke on condition of anonymity to speak candidly about the presidential candidates. If DeSantis comes in and proves to be a strong candidate, “it probably holds.”

“And if he doesn’t – and that’s an arbitrary assessment to some extent; what is successful? — then you might see others continuing to watch it or possibly getting in on the fun,” this person added.

While some still have positive feelings about the prospect of a 2024 DeSantis bid, Republican advisers are skeptical.

“We always believed DeSantis was going to be very disciplined,” one said. “Disciplined, disciplined, disciplined.”

“And he kind of proved this week that he wasn’t. He was a guy who didn’t want to talk about Trump, and here he’s taking pictures almost a year before Republicans started voting,’ the individual added, as other agents said that DeSantis had missed a great opportunity after Trump announced what appeared to be an upcoming arrest.

“What DeSantis should have done was respond immediately and say, ‘Under no circumstances will the Free State of Florida allow this political lawsuit,’” an agent told the outlet.

“What that would have done is cast DeSantis as alpha and Trump as beta. He could have set himself up to look like Trump’s protector, which would have driven Trump crazy,” the individual added.

DeSantis has continued to remain coy about his political future, but told Piers Morgan during this week’s interview that he isn’t technically running against anyone “yet.”

RELATED – Kinzinger: When They Face Off, ‘Trump Will Start Wiping The Floor With Ron DeSantis’

Not all news on the site expresses the point of view of the site, but we transmit this news automatically and translate it through programmatic technology on the site and not from a human editor.

goadnews

Victoriafox