DeSantis nears presidential campaign launch far from peak popularity but signaling a new readiness to take on Trump

CNN ^ | Updated 10:07 PM EDT, Mon May 15, 2023 | Steve Contorno and Jeff Zeleny

[conservative98]

DeSantis is preparing to launch his White House bid before the end of the month, according to two sources with knowledge of the planning. His political operation is currently moving into a new headquarters in Tallahassee while a super PAC closely aligned with the Florida Republican builds out a national campaign from Atlanta. Next week, he will meet with top fundraisers in South Florida, where he is expected to signal to them that it's time to start asking their wealthy friends for checks.

Though some donors have grumbled about his recent performance and worry he's already badly damaged by Donald Trump's repeated attacks, within DeSantis' insular team of trusted advisers, the roll out of his presidential campaign is right on schedule.

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He is poised to enter the race with as much money behind him, if not more, than anyone in the race not named Trump, with the intention of breaking fundraising records on the day he enters the race

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the buildout of the campaign has taken place for weeks absent a candidate, and though Trump currently holds a solid lead in GOP primary polls, DeSantis survived

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"The infrastructure is in place ready to launch," said Nick Iarossi, a Tallahassee lobbyist close to DeSantis. "There will be no ramp up. Everyone is anxious to get started and push back against attacks and narratives. But you can't count someone out who hasn't started. Trump tried to kill him in the cradle and that didn't work."

But the lofty expectations for his presidential candidacy have dramatically leveled off since DeSantis swept to a commanding reelection victory in Florida last fall. He is about to jump into the 2024 race in a far shakier position than most Republicans had imagined when the New York Post declared him "DeFUTURE."

[conservative98]

[thefactor]

I already have my DeSantis 2024 t-shirt. I look forward to wearing it on my Costco shopping trips.

[wiseprince]

Screw Desanctimonius. Support Trump to take down these pukes and do the job you spen 10s if not 100s of millions to get just a year ago. His actions will always make me distrust his intentions.

[dpetty121263]

Well The Donald now supports abortion so I pray many vote Desantis or just says home...Me included..

[allendale]

Virtually all politicians have their personality and character flaws. Yet both Trump ad DeSantis when given executive power demonstrated leadership, instituted sound, productive policies and did well for the people. Sadly for the country these two leaders who would have formed a very formidable team for the 2024 election are at each other’s throat in a needless death match. What fool convinced DeSantis to run and damage his career? A Trump/DeSantis ticket in 2024 would win and in 2028 DeSantis would have become President himself. The Democrats and the globalists are now ecstatic. It was one thing for De Santis to be friendly with Rove and the at their core blobalist Bush cabal, but it was an entirely stupid thing to let is ego be massaged and listen to them.

[dpetty121263]

Well Donald couldn’t take down a NY Ham sandwich at the rate he is pissing off his base..The Donald has turned on the Pro lifer’s, Gun Owners, Christians, Conservatives.. and embraced the Queers, Trannies, Leftist women...

[Fido969]

Every week it’s: “Desantis is getting ready to announce!”

[Fido969]

Vice President is usually a dead end.

[MountainWalker]

I wonder how far along Trump could drag his minions before they eventually bailed.

[wiseprince]

Yea, ok. Still wouldn’t support Mo. Below is the list of people I would support for President:

Donald J Trump

If it’s not him I won’t care about the outcome. Biden is the same as the Repukes to me.

[Alberta's Child]

Nobody with presidential aspirations would want to be a VP these days. The personality of a typical VP is one of a dull, boring loser.

If DeSantis wants to run in 2028 he’d be better off serving out his term as governor.

[dpetty121263]

Back during the Christmas holidays Trump had a large gathering of GOP Log Cabin Queers and Trannies at Mar Largo where he said he embraced them and rejected Christians. That was enough for me..Recently Don Jr said during an interview that nobody in the inner circle has told Donald he was wrong..

[wiseprince]

Is Desanctimonius calling for a 100% national ban on abortion? Will that be his position? If not, why is he willing to justify murdering babies in certain circumstances? Just curious

[desertsolitaire]

I prefer President Trump. What could make his next term more effective? What might President Trump’s strategies be to bypass the blocking of potential nominees he wanted last time, making him “settle” for deep state tools and plants who undermined him? I am assuming and see no reason not to believe this was true last time. What is a possibly different approach THIS time that won’t result in the same crap along those lines? Do you think repubs in Congress will have changed enough to bypass that problem for President Trump in picking his team? This is not sarcasm, it is a sincere attempt to face reality and plan ahead.

[dpetty121263]

A real life true believer...I get it..

[wiseprince]

Yea, it was supposed to be May 11th. I guess he’s a bit delayed. Really showing his ability to make decisions without delay. Romney without the sideburns

[ballplayer]

Sure The lying traitors at CNN will talk anything or anyone that opposes Trump.

[dpetty121263]

Well the problem is not Desantis, it is the morally bankrupt American woman who demands no consequence sex and who have fell into the pack of NOW nags..My body, my choice...

[conservative98]

DeSantis’ PAC has spent millions already on ads and mailers & DeSantis has done dozens of events across the country. The result? DeSantis has gone from 34% support in January to 18% support today.

The more people learn about Ron DeSantis, the less like him! https://t.co/tnsKLcIzXg— Alex Bruesewitz 🇺🇸 (@alexbruesewitz) May 16, 2023

Morning Consult Poll: Trump Posts Biggest Lead Yet Over DeSantis

Trump — 61% (+43)
DeSantis — 18%
Pence — 6%
Haley — 4%
Ramaswamy — 4%
Cheney — 2%
Abbot — 1%
T. Scott — 1%
Hutchinson — 1%

May 12-14 | 3,571 registered votershttps://t.co/dQctcc1IMp pic.twitter.com/C2zq0HPApK— InteractivePolls (@IAPolls2022) May 16, 2023

*I'll also add they don't like DeSantis supporters who post lies about Trump on websites. The more they hear from these people attacking Trump and MAGA, the less they like DeSantis. This has been going on for 2 years now.