DeSantis Losing Ground in GOP Presidential Race
Freedom Wire

DeSantis Losing Ground in GOP Presidential Race

In the ever-evolving landscape of American politics, the 2024 GOP presidential race is already heating up. Former President Donald Trump, the leading candidate for the Republican nomination, recently sat down for an exclusive interview with Breitbart News to discuss his one-time chief rival, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. Trump’s assessment of DeSantis’s campaign was less than favorable, suggesting that the Florida governor is “crashing badly” and will soon be “superseded” by other candidates in the race.

DeSantis, who recently laid off dozens of campaign staffers in an attempt to reset his struggling campaign, has been facing an uphill battle in the GOP primary. Trump wasted no time in mocking DeSantis’s attempts to “reboot” his campaign, remarking that this is already his third attempt at a fresh start.

According to Trump, DeSantis owes his initial success to the former president’s endorsement in the 2018 Florida gubernatorial primary. Prior to Trump’s support, DeSantis was trailing behind Adam Putnam, the then-Florida Agriculture Commissioner. However, as soon as Trump endorsed him, DeSantis’s campaign took off like a rocket ship. Trump emphasized that it was his endorsement that propelled DeSantis to victory, not the governor’s own merit.

Trump did not hold back when it came to criticizing DeSantis’s personality and campaign performance. He asserted that DeSantis “has got no personality” and deemed him a “lousy candidate.” These scathing remarks indicate Trump’s lack of confidence in his former rival, suggesting that DeSantis lacks the charisma and appeal necessary to secure the Republican nomination.

Furthermore, recent polls have supported Trump’s skepticism. In South Carolina, DeSantis has slipped into third place as former Governor Nikki Haley has surged ahead in a Fox Business poll. Additionally, national surveys have shown DeSantis falling into a tie with businessman Vivek Ramaswamy for second place, with Ramaswamy even surpassing DeSantis in Ohio polling.

While DeSantis struggles to gain traction, Trump continues to dominate the GOP primary field in almost every poll. Whether it’s in Iowa, New Hampshire, or Michigan, Trump consistently leads with substantial margins, often in double digits. For instance, an Iowa Republican Caucus survey showed Trump with a commanding 24-point lead over DeSantis. Similar trends are observed in other states, with Trump enjoying near or above majority support while DeSantis falls further behind.

These consistent poll results reinforce Trump’s position as the frontrunner and cast doubt on DeSantis’s ability to secure the nomination.

Adding to DeSantis’s challenges, his campaign has been marred by missteps and controversies. One notable incident occurred when Florida’s new education standards downplayed the severity of slavery. While conservatives generally embraced the plan, some black conservatives, including elected officials such as Reps. Byron Donalds, Wesley Hunt, and John James, as well as Sen. Tim Scott, criticized DeSantis for this particular line in the curriculum. Instead of rectifying the issue, DeSantis and his campaign launched a vicious attack against Rep. Donalds, who had endorsed Trump over DeSantis for the 2024 election.

Trump, when asked about DeSantis’s decision to attack Donalds, expressed his disapproval and praised Donalds for his endorsement. Trump emphasized that attacking such a respected congressman was a mistake on DeSantis’s part and highlighted Donalds’s growing influence and reputation.

As DeSantis’s campaign faces mounting challenges, it remains to be seen whether he can recover and regain his footing. Trump’s scathing assessment and the decline in DeSantis’s poll numbers suggest that he may struggle to maintain his position as a top contender in the GOP primary. With other candidates like Nikki Haley and Vivek Ramaswamy gaining ground, DeSantis’s path to the nomination becomes increasingly uncertain.

In the unpredictable world of politics, anything can happen. However, for now, it seems that Ron DeSantis has an uphill battle ahead if he hopes to secure the Republican nomination for the 2024 presidential race. Trump’s dominance and the growing support for other candidates pose significant challenges for DeSantis’s campaign.

Written by Jon Archer - August 8, 2023