In Manchester, New Hampshire, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has asserted his readiness for the first Republican presidential nomination debate on Wednesday. He aims to communicate his message effectively and counter attacks from fellow contenders.
DeSantis, a conservative governor, brushed off a leaked debate strategy memo originating from advisors at the DeSantis-affiliated super PAC, Never Back Down. Speaking to Fox News Digital, he disassociated himself from the memo, stating that he hadn’t read it. This memo, publicized by the New York Times, created a stir and was seen as a misstep for DeSantis.
The leaked memo offered potential debate talking points and suggested that DeSantis should defend former President Donald Trump, who is the dominant frontrunner for the GOP nomination. It also proposed targeting Vivek Ramaswamy, another contender whose popularity has been rising in polls.
DeSantis commented on the matter during a brief Fox News Digital interview following a Never Back Down campaign event in Manchester. He indicated that the issue had been set aside.
DeSantis has been working to reshape the narrative following a series of setbacks over the past few months. These setbacks led to negative media coverage, highlighting issues such as overspending, staff reductions, leadership changes, and other challenges within his campaign.
Although Trump’s lead over DeSantis has expanded over the summer, the governor remains in second place in most polls, ahead of other Republican contenders.
DeSantis’s campaign asserted that at the upcoming debate, hosted by Fox News in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, every candidate, both on and off the stage, will likely target him. In response, DeSantis stated that he viewed these attacks as an indication of his perceived threat to other candidates and interests.
When asked whether his debate strategy involves countering attacks from rivals, DeSantis affirmed that they would defend themselves but also focus on showcasing their leadership to address the country’s challenges.
A recent memo from DeSantis’s campaign, distributed to donors and supporters by campaign manager James Uthmeier, emphasized that DeSantis would be the “center of attacks” during the debate. The memo indicated their readiness to handle false accusations from competitors and the media.
Earlier in the week, DeSantis noted in a local radio interview that he believes retail-style politics, vital in states like Iowa and New Hampshire, will help him narrow the gap with Trump.
During his busy day in New Hampshire, DeSantis participated in the Old Home Day Parade in Londonderry, engaging with supporters along the route. He also briefly met with Chris Sununu, a prominent Republican governor from New Hampshire who has collaborated with various Republican White House hopefuls.
Sununu, who has been critical of Trump within the GOP, expressed confidence in DeSantis’s potential to make strides in New Hampshire through grassroots engagement and retail-style politics.