Analysis: On the DeSantis 'Reset'Guy Benson
July 19, 2023
It's being called a "reset" and a "reboot" by various media outlets. The campaign may dispute those characterizations (they may prefer 'growing pains'), but the terms seem to apply to some extent, as Team DeSantis pivots on several fronts. His team has cut some of its sprawling staff and is reducing expenditures, while also sitting down for interviews beyond its previous diet of curated outlets -- including with CNN's Jake Tapper and on Megyn Kelly's podcast. The Florida Governor acquitted himself well with Tapper yesterday afternoon, offering focused and cogent answers on a host of issue, ranging from new potential legal trouble for former President Trump to military recruitment concerns to trans athletes competing in women's sports. He is seeking to build and keep momentum that has backslid in recent weeks, during which Trump's GOP primary lead has expanded both nationally and in a number of states. He's been floating in the low-to-mid 20's, basically stagnant, while Trump garners majority support. That's a commanding lead.
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DeSantis' star skyrocketed because of his excellent, focused, economically-triumphant governance in Florida, culminating in a positivity-infused re-election bid and a victory of historic proportions. DeSantis can't run a general election campaign yet, for self-explanatory reasons, but channeling more of what got him to this point, rather than pounding away on the relentlessly right-wing 'culture war' issues might be in order. He can't and shouldn't shy away from some of those cultural battles, but perhaps they've been over-emphasized. Ultimately, regardless of tactics and messaging, DeSantis -- or anyone who wants to seriously challenge Trump -- will need to achieve two things: (1) Consolidate the Trump-skeptical elements of the Republican-leaning electorate, and (2) win over some sizable swath of Trump supporters. The former task will be difficult, but could become easier if any when the field is significantly culled ahead of the start of voting next year. The latter job will require connecting with and winning over many more voters exactly like this one:
https://twitter.com/DeSantisWarRoom/status/1681090763231309824That is the voice of a Trump loyalist who just isn't convinced he can win again, or be effective if he does. DeSantis' response is basically pitch perfect: ("But here's the thing -- the question for us now is what are we going to do about it? It's not about me; it's about you, and standing up for you...We will be focused, we will be disciplined, and we will make it happen"). They might want to seriously consider turning the exchange into an ad. And even though it will frustrate the fraction of right-leaning voters who want Republicans to take a tougher line against Trump, this is a smart way to answer a question about yet another looming indictment -- especially the bit about needing to look forward, versus constantly relitigating previous fights and dramas:
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Source:
https://townhall.com/tipsheet/guybenson/2023/07/19/the-desantis-reset-n2625898
