News/Commentary

DeSantis rumors ramp up as ABC News reports he may bypass exploratory committee

May 6, 2023 | | Print Article

Rumors are swirling in a frenzy over Gov. Ron DeSantis potentially throwing his hat into the 2024 presidential race with the latest one claiming that he is skipping forming an exploratory committee to launch a full election campaign in June.

ABC News is reporting that DeSantis will bypass the exploratory committee and jump straight into the fiery contest for the White House now that the Florida legislative session has ended. If so, the development will pit the popular conservative against former President Trump who is leading by a large margin and is wildly popular himself.

There will be a ferocious fight for big-money donors if and when DeSantis declares his candidacy. Trump is embroiled in investigations while DeSantis’ only current detractor is Disney. But that fact has drawn even more supporters to the former president. A battle between the two conservative titans will no doubt rock the Republican Party.

DeSantis has done an admirable job rebuilding his state after being hit not only by the pandemic but by Hurricane Ian in 2022. He won his reelection bid in a historic landslide election. The Florida governor obviously feels his track record speaks for itself and he has not been attacking Trump. The former president, however, has relentlessly hit out at DeSantis.

ABC News is reporting DeSantis is getting ready to step into the fray, evidently hoping it will divide the GOP even further just before a presidential election where President Biden is running once again.

“Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is moving more aggressively toward making his 2024 presidential campaign official, with sources telling ABC News the governor’s team is leaning toward skipping the launch of an exploratory committee altogether and is instead expected to launch a full presidential campaign next month,” ABC News reported, hedging its bets by using the phrase “leaning toward.”

“The decision to skip the exploratory committee comes as DeSantis caps off an aggressive legislative session that saw him push a hard-line conservative agenda and dive head-first into numerous culture wars while facing increasing attacks from his likely opponent, former President Donald Trump,” the media outlet asserted.

ABC News then proceeded to stir the pot, pointing out with gusto Trump’s attacks on DeSantis.

“Since March, the pro-Trump super PAC Make America Great Again Inc. has spent nearly $10 million on attack ads targeting the governor,” the media giant reported. “DeSantis will enter the race with just months to go until the first Republican primary debate — and although he has yet to formally announce, his team has already quietly begun debate prep, sources familiar with the preparations have told ABC News, including reviewing past debate performances.”

“Still, sources said the governor’s strategy heading into the debates will be more focused on introducing the governor on a national stage rather than getting into a sparring match with the former president. However, the team has been paying close attention to how to help manage the governor’s facial reactions in the upcoming debate, sources said,” ABC News continued.

And the outlet delivered a jab at DeSantis for good measure at the conclusion of its piece.

“Former DeSantis challenger Heather Beaven is one of the few candidates who have faced the former governor on a debate stage. Beaven, a Democrat who lost the 2012 congressional race to DeSantis, described him as someone who was very well rehearsed and knew his information well — but appeared unable to pivot in unscripted moments,” ABC News claimed.

“He goes right to anger. There’s no humor punch-back,” Beaven told ABC News in an obvious hit at DeSantis. “There was him in control, and then flashes of fiery temper.”

The final decision on strategy will be made by DeSantis and his wife, Casey as it should be.

The looming faceoff between DeSantis and Trump will be something to watch.

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