MIAMI.- In the increasingly exciting political scenario leading up to the 2024 elections, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, is about to face a ‘whirlwind’ in the first debate of the Republican Party and, therefore, the candidate has a strategy mainly focused on his strongest rivals.
According to an internal DeSantis campaign memo, the Florida governor says he is ready to be “the center of attack.”
The memo, sent to donors and supporters by the new campaign manager, James Uthmeier, paints a clear picture of the situation. He points out that the Republican primary is, in essence, a “two-man race” between Ron DeSantis and former President Donald. Trump.
However, some political specialists do not expect Trump to participate in the debate scheduled for Wednesday, August 23 in Milwaukee. If the former president does not attend, the most likely thing is that the debate will not have the importance that many expect.
Prepared for attacks
The DeSantis campaign said it is prepared to be the target of desperate and false charges by other candidates and the mainstream media, the memo states.
Aides to the Florida governor are clear that the first debate is the “biggest opportunity” for other candidates to grab headlines by attacking the governor.
The memo follows an apparent attempt by a DeSantis-supporting super PAC to present debate “new strategies” to the Republican presidential campaign.
According to the super PAC Never Back Down, DeSantis should “hammer” businessman Vivek Ramaswamy and defend Trump if he is attacked by former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie. In addition, he offered advice on how many times he attacked President Joe Biden and the media.
A recent Kaplan Strategies poll of ‘primary voters’ found Ramaswamy tied DeSantis with 12%.
DeSantis’ vision
In contrast to the super PAC’s suggestions, DeSantis’ campaign memo states that his goal on the debate stage “will be to lay out his vision to defeat Joe Biden, reverse America’s decline, and revive the American Dream.”
It highlights that viewers back home will see a “fighter” who “volunteered” to serve our country and deployed to Iraq after 9/11.
It is also intended to show DeSantis as the father who seeks to restore the promise of America to future generations and as the champion of freedom who has stood the test of time and, once again, as governor, is willing to defeat the left.
So, as the debate’s first big battle looms on the horizon, DeSantis prepares to face it on a stage where many eyes will fall on the governor remaining in the race as a strong rival to Trump.
