Staff Reports
In a surprising turn of events, the DeSantis presidential campaign has recently faced some challenges, leading to a shake-up among staff members. Some media outlets have labeled the campaign as “cash-strapped,” but the fundraising numbers suggest that this may be a strategic move rather than a result of financial troubles. In fact, DeSantis raised an impressive $20 million in the second quarter, surpassing former President Donald Trump’s fundraising of $17.7 million. Additionally, a Super PAC supporting DeSantis is sitting on a whopping $130 million. So, it seems that money isn’t the main issue here.
DeSantis Campaign Fires Staff Amid Big Fundraising Quarter, Dipping Poll Numbers https://t.co/S3WbPeKtuF
— RedState (@RedState) July 18, 2023
The concern for DeSantis’s supporters and donors lies in his declining poll numbers. According to RCP’s average of polls, Republican support for DeSantis has dipped below 20% for the first time since mid-May. This downward trajectory has prompted speculation that DeSantis might experience a flameout similar to Scott Walker.
I’m running for president to lead our Great American Comeback. pic.twitter.com/YmkWkLaVDg
— Ron DeSantis (@RonDeSantis) May 24, 2023
To address these concerns, the DeSantis team held a meeting in Tallahassee, Florida, where they reassured donors that it’s normal for presidential campaigns to go through growing pains. An internal assessment of the campaign revealed that they had hired too many staffers too quickly in the beginning. While the second-quarter fundraising numbers look good, $3 million of that amount is reserved for the general election, and most of the money came from big donors rather than small-dollar donors.
Interestingly, the staff changes also coincide with a shift in DeSantis’s campaign strategy. Rather than solely focusing on culture war topics, he is now embracing a “Great American Comeback” narrative. It seems that DeSantis has reached a ceiling in the polls and is searching for a way to chip away at Trump’s lead. This change in tone will also likely be a topic of discussion in DeSantis’s upcoming interview with CNN’s Jake Tapper.
DeSantis faces the challenging task of surpassing Trump in the Republican primary while defending himself against attacks from other candidates. The campaign has expressed confidence in DeSantis’s ability to get the job done, but he will need to demonstrate his nimbleness and effectiveness soon. The future success of the campaign may depend on this reset.
Overall, the DeSantis campaign is going through a period of transition and adjustment. It remains to be seen how these changes will impact DeSantis’s chances in the presidential race. However, with significant fundraising and a determined candidate, it would be unwise to count DeSantis out just yet.
