Posted on 06/25/2022 3:26:12 PM PDT by SoConPubbie
According to Ed Rollins, the campaign strategist behind the 1984 Reagan reelection who’s now working with a DeSantis PAC, it’s increasingly looking like a Trump 2024 presidential run is sure to happen.
Speaking on that, Rollins was quoted by the Epoch Times as saying, as of June 14th:
“The information that I’ve gotten the last several weeks is Trump is definitely running”
That could be wrong, however, as it is not congruent with what he said in a pro-DeSantis fundraising email on June 10th. In that email, he said:
“Donald Trump is not running, that’s why we have to prepare for Ron DeSantis running for President if we’re going to have any shot at restoring Donald Trump’s America-First agenda and getting America back on track.”
However, explaining away the difference, Rollins, in his interview with the Epoch Times about the potential for a Trump run and a DeSantis run, said:
“We’re not working at all against Trump, At that point in time, I didn’t know if he [Trump] was running or not. What I’ve said since has made it clear is that he [DeSantis] won’t run against Trump.”
But he does seem to think that DeSantis would be a better candidate, which is why he has kept the DeSantis machine rolling despite being reasonably certain that Trump will run, though the Epoch Times implies that if Trump does run and DeSantis then decides not to do so, then the fundraising apparatus would be turned to helping Trump win.
That might be the most likely situation as, regardless of whether DeSantis and Trump end up competing or if DeSantis backs off beforehand and doesn’t fight Trump, it’s looking like Trump will dominate the field.
Recent polling reported on by the Morning Consult, for example, found that more than half of the GOP supports Trump over anyone else, and though DeSantis was the closes runner up, he still only had 16% of the vote compared to Trump’s 53%. The Morning Consult, reporting on that, said:
June 4-5 survey, 53% of GOP voters said they would vote for Trump over at least a dozen other potential candidates if the 2024 Republican presidential primary were held today — down just 3 percentage points from his potential vote share in a survey conducted before 2022’s primary season heated up.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis — who for the second year running defeated Trump in an unscientific straw poll of conservative activists at the Western Conservative Summit in Colorado over the weekend — saw his support tick up from 13% to 16%.
16% isn’t bad, and it beats Mike Pence by a few points, but it’s still light years away from Trump’s whopping 53%. Assuming that result holds even somewhat constant heading into 2024, Trump will be the GOP pick; though DeSantis is a rising star and a wonderful candidate, Trump is Trump and it’ll be hard for anyone, even DeSantis, to top him.
So perhaps the DeSantis fundraising will continue, but unless Trump changes course dramatically, it’ll end up in his campaign coffer when he fights Brandon or whoever the Democrats put up.
I watched that speech, too.
He is running, no doubt at all.
And DeSantis isn't going to announce until after he's secure his gubernatorial re-election.
There are no such laws. Trump himself last officially filed his campaign paperwork for re-election on January 20th, 2017. The day he was sworn into office.
That’s how I heard it, too. Sounds like he’s running for sure.
Would an announcement typically be made after the November election?
Somebody behind the scenes needs to make PDJT an offer he can’t refuse to clear the deck for DeSantis…
If he were to run against Trump, he’d likely destroy his political “career”.
I too think DSantis should run against Trump.
DeSantis could end up being the VP pick. And he would be good in that role and good for 2028.
Trump needs a good VP.
‘Anybody who was actually listening rather than wishing as hard as they could knew DeSantis was not going to run if Trump runs. DeSantis has been saying it for some time. “
I doubt you can document DeSantis said this because he didn’t.
What? No back stabbing or fake scandals to push? What the hell kind of a campaign strategist are you, Rollins?
agree-Trump is waiting on midterms-I’m a Trump fan but watching him over the last year, you can see age is starting to impact him, (nothing like Biden though) and really think Trump could do more good as king maker as he has been doing
Trump is fine and as good as ever. Go away.
Not going away, I campaigned, donated and worked for Trump and will again, what will will you do?
Obviously you do not care for Trump as a person and more obviously have not been watching him this year on his interviews or stage appearances, I’ve watched almost all, at least a dozen of people I know who worked their butt off for Trump are concerned for him -he’s aging, we all are , it happens.
Can’t be denied by anyone who is rationale.- or maybe you are a youngster who thinks age has no bearing or you have discovered the fountain of youth and will supply Trump some.
Oh shut up. I have watched him serval times this year. He is fine. Go stuff it.
No. Wow several times! ROFL -no wonder-try beign at one of his rallies, watching him, he is older-its just a fact
Listen, Trump will not be getting younger, I care for the man, not your ego.
Age effects people for sure. Some more than others.
Lots of time it is a slow process but it’s there.
Agree,- just saying the man has given a lot, and he is getting older and slowing down, just one of several examples Trump missed some softball questions on Varney & Company when Varney was trying to set him up to say how he would do better than Biden on economy-awkward pause-maybe he was distracted-idk-it wasn’t the rambling of Biden but it sure was Donald of 2016,
I suppose the best argument for Trump running, who would be 82 at the end of his term, is that even at 3/4th he is sooo much better than any Dem.
He’s hinted at it in public dismissing any 2024 talk and he’s said it explicitly to those close to him according to sources I believe.
meant to say
“WAS NOT” but it sure was Donald of 2016
old guy mistake on my part
Yep I know a little about old guys making mistakes......
Memory or lack there of is a bitch..
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.