Posted on 09/04/2023 6:35:16 PM PDT by SeekAndFind
The Republican presidential primaries continue to heat up as the candidates vie to become the main challenger to former President Donald Trump, who still maintains a considerable lead over the rest of the field. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who has stayed in 2nd place in the polling, has experienced a slump in his campaign, which has allowed entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy to pose a significant threat to his position.
Perhaps this is the reason why DeSantis-aligned organizations are reportedly targeting the upstart. But if DeSantis manages to fend off Ramaswamy’s ascension, when will he finally begin taking on Trump?
Politico obtained an audio recording in which Jeff Roe, head of the pro-DeSantis super PAC Never Back Down, bragged about the organization’s role in a slew of attacks against Ramaswamy:
The top strategist for Ron DeSantis’ super PAC privately told donors that Vivek Ramaswamy posed a threat to the Florida governor — and bragged that the super PAC was behind an avalanche of opposition research targeting the rival candidate.
“Everything you read about him is from us,” Jeff Roe, the leader of the DeSantis-aligned Never Back Down told the gathering of donors. “Every misstatement, every 360 he’s conducting or 180 that he is going through in life, is from our scrutiny and pressure. And so, he’s not going to go through that very well, and that will get worse for him.”
Roe was speaking just hours before the first GOP primary debate, in remarks captured in an audio recording obtained by POLITICO. During his question-and-answer session, he conceded that if Ramaswamy had “a big night” at the debate, it could prove problematic for DeSantis. “That’s not great for us, short term,” he added.
Tricia McLaughlin, a spokesperson for Ramaswamy’s campaign, responded to the report:
"When DeSantis’s Super Pac campaign, Chris Christie, the New York Times, MSNBC and the rest of the bipartisan establishment are all going after you at the same time, you know you’re right over the target.
"America watched Vivek dominate the debate stage, it’s no wonder Never Back Down is pissing away another $20+ million after Labor Day."
The entrepreneur became a magnet for criticism after the debate over his flip-flopping on certain issues. He has also been pilloried for some of his fantastical ideas, including raising the voting age and endorsing a federal ban on children using social media. Yes as DeSantis’ campaign experienced some considerable setbacks, Ramaswamy has risen in the polls, some of which show him tied or beating the governor.
It makes sense that Team DeSantis would be concerned about the immediate threat Ramaswamy seems to present. If they do not manage to turn the campaign around, their candidate could easily be surpassed by the entrepreneur. But, with DeSantis’ name recognition, performance as governor, and popularity among the conservative base, his team still has a favorable chance of remaining the primary challenger to Trump. It begs the question: When will DeSantis start taking on Trump with full force?
If the governor wants the GOP nod, he will have to take on the frontrunner at some point. Perhaps his campaign is playing the long game while he builds his war chest and continues establishing his conservative credentials. However, this won’t work forever. Republican voters want someone who is willing to get in the mud and throw some kicks and punches. DeSantis has shown he can duke it out with the press on several occasions, but he has yet to display this attitude when it comes to his main primary opponent.
Focusing on Ramaswamy might be wise as a short-term strategy, but the clock is ticking. As more candidates drop out of the race, the governor will have to do what is necessary to solidify himself as the best choice for the Republican Party. If DeSantis wants to break further away from the pack, he will have to take on the other “big guy.” This will be the true test of his political acumen. At some point, DeSantis will have to slay the dragon and take on the man who has defined Republican politics since 2016: Donald Trump.
DeSantis just messed up by running this time.
He can’t fix it because he isn’t Trump and never could be. He has a lackluster personality and poking at Trump only makes matters worse for him.
NO RAMASWAMY!!!! NO NO NO NO NO!!!!
Can you tell I don’t feel comfortable with this man?? I will NOT vote for him period....something is fishy with him.
RE: DeSantis just messed up by running this time.
And Ramaswamy is simply running for national name recognition or a possible Cabinet position.
RE: NO RAMASWAMY!!!! NO NO NO NO NO!!!!
Calm down for goodness sake. He’s not going to win the nomination.
Hey idiot journalist...it is a runaway. President Trump is up 50 points on both.
He needs to win an election or 2. Community organizer doesn’t count.
RE: Community organizer doesn’t count.
You’re confusing him with someone we all dislike.
I agree with that.
RE: President Trump is up 50 points on both.
Errr... the latest poll has Trump up by “a mere” ( note the quotes ) 37 points over DeSantis.
See here:
https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/4179879/posts
I have no doubt Trump is going to be our nominee..
I just do NOT WANT Trump picking Ramaswamy for a VP....he is very suspicious to me. I believe Mark Levin feels the same and a lot are beginning to see “ through him”...His comments about Israel caused red alerts to go off here!!!
“something is fishy with him”
For me the adjective that comes to mind is ‘slick’.
That adjective has also been used on The Conservative Treehouse.
Now ‘slick’ can be good and ‘slick’ can be bad.
Hopefully, time will tell.
One other thought comes to mind, that of a sapling in a strong storm.
“I will NOT vote for him period....something is fishy with him.”
You are not alone. Swampy is on record for us taxpayers footing the bill of these mentally disturbed sexual perverts changing their sex (no such thing) while in the military. Look it up, even read it here a few ago on a questionnaire. This is sick in several ways and if Trump picks him as VP then I will not vote.
“DeSantis...lackluster personality”
America prospered under Calvin Coolidge.
‘Slick Willie’ had personality and considerable substance.
See short clip at https://www.tiktok.com/@americanpolitiks/video/7275043823070235946
I will vote Republican even if Liz Cheney is the Republican nominee.
I will vote Republican even if Chris Christie is the Republican nominee.
I will vote Republican even if Mike Pence is the Republican nominee.
I will vote Republican because a Democrat would be worse.
“We must, indeed, all hang together or, most assuredly, we shall all hang separately.”
https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/benjamin_franklin_151597
The Swamy as veep, NO.
RE: Mark Levin feels the same and a lot are beginning to see “ through him”...His comments about Israel
Source:
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-756793
Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy will consider enlarging US military aid to Israel if elected, he told Israel Hayom on Wednesday ...
“The reality is that the three billion in aid that we give to Israel is a tiny drop in the bucket for the US military budget,” he said. “A lot of that work is done here in the United States of America. It’s actually accretive to the US and our interests. And so, in a certain way, it would be silly for us to want to skimp or cut that when in fact, it’s not just in Israel’s interest, but that’s in our own interest, even nationally, in building our industrial base.”
He added that the US won’t cut the aid until Israel says it doesn’t need it anymore.
1. Where is Ramaswamy on abortion?
2. Where is Ramaswamy on Israel?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.