In a surprising admission of vulnerability, Steve Cortes, a spokesperson for Ron DeSantis’ presidential campaign, acknowledged that they are currently trailing behind in national polling and described DeSantis as the “clear underdog” in the race against former President Donald Trump.[0] Cortes made these remarks during a Twitter spaces event, where he emphasized the need for honesty and blunt assessment of the campaign’s current standing.[1] He also admitted that they are down by double digits in the first four states that hold significant importance in the primary race.
Despite the challenging situation, Cortes expressed confidence in DeSantis’ ability to close the gap once his personal and political story is shared more widely on the campaign trail.[1] He believes that DeSantis, as the “next natural evolution” of the America First movement, can outperform expectations and attract large audiences with his life story, political record, and winning agenda for the presidency.[2]
Bryan Griffin, a spokesperson for the DeSantis campaign, also voiced optimism about their chances, highlighting DeSantis’ track record of over-delivering on promises as the governor of Florida.[3] Griffin argued that Trump would have to explain to Republican voters why he didn’t fulfill his promises during his first term as president, while DeSantis has the vision and ability to restore the country, clean out Washington, D.C., and lead the Great American Comeback.[4]
However, not everyone is as confident in DeSantis’ prospects. Jeff Timmer, a veteran GOP political strategist working for the anti-Trump Republican PAC, the Lincoln Project, called DeSantis the “worst candidate” he has ever seen. Timmer’s remarks gained attention on social media, with many questioning his assessment of DeSantis’ abilities.
The admission of vulnerability from within DeSantis’ campaign is a departure from the usual projection of confidence. Cortes’ blunt assessment and acknowledgment of the campaign’s challenges provide insight into the internal dynamics of the race. Despite the uphill battle, Cortes expressed his intent to win and emphasized the potential positive impact of a competitive primary on Trump’s performance in the general election.
When asked to comment on the situation, Cortes responded that while Trump possesses significant experience in presidential debates, he believes DeSantis can outperform expectations and reach large audiences with his life story, political record, and winning agenda.[5]
The article also mentions DeSantis’ plans for reducing the size and scope of government, as well as pushing back against woke ideology and leftism in American institutions. DeSantis believes that if Congress doesn’t cooperate, he can use government agencies to achieve these goals.
Despite being behind in national polling, the DeSantis campaign remains determined and confident in their candidate’s ability to secure the nomination and defeat President Biden in the general election. They view the campaign as a marathon, not a sprint, and believe that DeSantis has a strong path to victory.
In conclusion, the article highlights the challenges faced by Ron DeSantis’ presidential campaign, as acknowledged by his spokesperson Steve Cortes. Despite being behind in national polling and trailing in key nominating states, Cortes and the DeSantis campaign remain optimistic about their chances. They believe that DeSantis can overcome these obstacles and attract large audiences with his life story, political record, and winning agenda.[6] However, there are differing opinions on DeSantis’ prospects, with some critics calling him the “worst candidate” they have ever seen. The article provides insights into the internal dynamics of the campaign and the confidence of the DeSantis team.
0. “Ron DeSantis Team Admits They’re ‘Way Behind’ In The Polls” UPROXX, 3 Jul. 2023, https://uproxx.com/viral/ron-desantis-team-admits-way-behind-polls
1. “Top Ron DeSantis Backer Causes Waves As He Admits Trump Is The ‘Runaway Frontrunner'” Benzinga, 4 Jul. 2023, https://www.benzinga.com/news/23/07/33105305/top-ron-desantis-backer-causes-waves-as-he-admits-trump-is-the-runaway-frontrunner
2. “DeSantis super PAC spokesman acknowledges campaign is ‘way behind’ Trump” CBS Miami, 5 Jul. 2023, https://www.cbsnews.com/miami/news/ron-desantis-super-pac-acknowledges-campaign-behind-donald-trump
3. “DeSantis PAC official says 2024 election an uphill battle: ‘Trump is the runaway front-runner'” Washington Examiner, 3 Jul. 2023, https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/campaigns/desantis-pac-official-2024-election-uphill-battle
4. “‘We are way behind’: Top DeSantis PAC official sounds alarm” POLITICO, 3 Jul. 2023, https://www.politico.com/news/2023/07/03/desantis-pac-2024-election-behind-00104572
5. “DeSantis super PAC spokesman acknowledges campaign is ‘way behind’ Trump” Local 3 News, 4 Jul. 2023, https://www.local3news.com/regional-national/desantis-super-pac-spokesman-acknowledges-campaign-is-way-behind-trump/article_1f79a1b2-e5c5-564d-afca-d45fc0c14d65.html
6. “DeSantis PAC spokesperson calls Trump the ‘runaway front-runner’” Yahoo Life, 3 Jul. 2023, https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/desantis-pac-spokesperson-calls-trump-202155560.html
