The Daily – Inside the Sputtering Campaign of Ron DeSantis

Intro

In this episode of “The Daily,” the struggles of Ron DeSantis’ 2024 Republican presidential campaign are explored. From difficulties connecting with voters to internal challenges with campaign finances and staff shakeups, DeSantis is facing an uphill battle. This podcast delves into the factors contributing to his campaign’s sputtering start and the potential implications for his presidential aspirations.

Main Takeaways

Struggles with Connecting with Voters

• Ron DeSantis’ 2024 Republican presidential campaign is currently struggling both externally and internally.
• He is having difficulty connecting with voters and his message is not resonating.
• DeSantis’ campaign faced three successive resets, which could define him as a candidate who’s being defined by his own campaign’s upheaval.
• DeSantis is struggling to connect with Republican voters, according to a recent poll.
• The poll shows DeSantis losing to Donald Trump by a landslide in a hypothetical 2024 primary.

Internal Challenges and Campaign Finances

• Internally, DeSantis has faced challenges with campaign finances and staff shakeups.
• DeSantis raised $20 million in a short amount of time but faced problems with the type of money he was raising.
• A lot of the money he raised exceeded the amount he can spend in the primary, so he can only spend it in the general election if he becomes the nominee.
• DeSantis spent a lot of money on private planes and unsustainable events.
• He lacked small donors, which are increasingly the lifeblood of national campaigns.

Timing and Strategy

• DeSantis had to make a choice between jumping into the race early or building out a policy portfolio first.
• DeSantis and his advisors decided to focus on passing conservative laws in Florida to build a foundation for his 2024 candidacy.
• This strategy left a vacuum in the national media and campaign that Trump could exploit.
• Eventually, DeSantis enters the campaign, but by then, Trump has already rallied the Republican party behind him.

Electability and Iowa Focus

• DeSantis’ campaign has downsized its ambitions to being an Iowa-based campaign, as Iowa is the first state that votes in the 2024 primary and has an outsized impact on shaping the race.
• DeSantis is focusing on Iowa because it is the place where he could potentially take a chunk out of Trump and show that the former president isn’t so inevitable in 2024.
• Republican voters in Iowa are receptive to the electability argument, with some expressing concerns about Trump’s baggage and his ability to beat Biden twice.
• Voters in Iowa are open to finding somebody who isn’t Trump due to concerns about losing in 2024.
• Electability is still seen as the right strategy for DeSantis to make the argument to Republican voters that he is the best alternative to Trump.

Summary

Struggles with Connecting with Voters

Ron DeSantis’ 2024 presidential campaign is facing significant challenges in connecting with Republican voters. Despite his previous success as the Florida governor, DeSantis is struggling to resonate with voters and is losing to Donald Trump in a hypothetical 2024 primary. The campaign’s multiple resets and internal upheaval further compound these difficulties.

Internal Challenges and Campaign Finances

Internally, DeSantis’ campaign has faced obstacles with campaign finances and staff shakeups. While he raised a substantial amount of money, a significant portion exceeded the limit he can spend in the primary. Additionally, the campaign’s excessive spending on private planes and unsustainable events, coupled with the lack of small donors, indicates a failure to engage working-class and middle-class Republican voters.

Timing and Strategy

DeSantis made a strategic choice to focus on passing conservative laws in Florida, aiming to build a foundation for his 2024 candidacy. However, this strategy allowed Trump to dominate the national media and campaign landscape. By the time DeSantis entered the race, Trump had already secured significant support within the Republican party, making it challenging for DeSantis to position himself as a leading alternative.

Electability and Iowa Focus

Recognizing the importance of electability, DeSantis has shifted his campaign’s focus to Iowa, where he hopes to challenge Trump’s perceived inevitability in the 2024 race. Republican voters in Iowa are receptive to the electability argument, expressing concerns about Trump’s baggage and his ability to defeat Biden twice. DeSantis aims to present himself as the best alternative to Trump, capitalizing on voters’ openness to exploring other options.

Conclusion

Ron DeSantis’ 2024 presidential campaign is currently facing significant hurdles in connecting with voters and positioning himself as a viable alternative to Donald Trump. Internal challenges with campaign finances and staff shakeups further complicate his campaign’s trajectory. However, DeSantis is strategically focusing on Iowa, where he aims to challenge Trump’s dominance and make the case for his electability. The outcome of this campaign will have significant implications for DeSantis’ presidential aspirations and the broader Republican landscape.