Florida Democrats taunt Ron DeSantis for “DeSastre” turnout

Light crowd awaits Ron DeSantis in Kissimmee

Does crowd size matter?

Florida Democratic Party officials taunted GOP counterparts Saturday by contrasting pictures of Andrew Gillum greeting large crowd with those at a poorly attended Ron DeSantis event.

“Today’s abysmal turnout for the DeSantis Campaign is par for the course for a floundering campaign that has endured setback after setback,” said Kevin Donohoe, FDP spokesman.

“It’s telling when a candidate for Governor can barely rustle up a dozen supporters for a campaign ‘rally.’ Ron DeSantis is panicked, running a low-energy campaign, and can’t find a message that resonates with voters. After a rough couple of weeks, things are getting worse—not better for Ron DeSastre.”

FDP Executive Director Juan Peñalosa sent out a link to a video of a Kissimmee rally posted today by Reuters reporter Joey Roulette. Accompanying a notice DeSantis actually ran late to the event, the video panned to a largely empty auditorium.

The DeSantis event in Kissimmee starting a bit late. "The congressman will be here in a few seconds" pic.twitter.com/LR66G7iTUF

— Joey Roulette (@joroulette) September 29, 2018

Meanwhile, the party sent out links to canvassing and campaign office opening events around the state.

Terrie Rizzo, FDP chair, tweeted pictures of a major crowd in Palm Beach County, where actress-activist Alyssa Milano campaigned for Gillum today.

Palm Beach County is ready to make the Blue Wave real and #BringitHome for @AndrewGillum @NelsonForSenate and all @FlaDems #FlaPol pic.twitter.com/iJOqYHC0GO

— Terrie Rizzo (@TerrieRizzo) September 29, 2018

FDP released footage of Gillum giving a “Bring It Home” stump speech to an outdoor crowd.

#BringItHome pic.twitter.com/7rjka5EnkB

— Florida Democrats (@FlaDems) September 29, 2018

Agriculture Commissioner candidate Nikki Fried also addressed the major gathering.

When we VOTE, we WIN!

This year, we’re going to TAKE BACK our state and build a Florida that listens to the will of the people—that reflects the priorities of the people! #TeamNikki @FlaDems pic.twitter.com/voSPsuWRjT

— Nikki Fried (@nikkifried) September 29, 2018

But beyond that, regional candidates also drew attendance to events.

Congressional candidate David Shapiro held a joint canvassing event with Democratic state House candidates Tracy Pratt and Liv Coleman in decidedly Republican Manatee County, but pulled in a sizable crowd.

HUGE Turnout today for our Manatee County canvass with @Tracypratt4FL, @LivColemanFL and the @DemocratManatee party! #FL16 #FlaPol pic.twitter.com/w8bJ5R8oxt

— David Shapiro (@Shapiro4FL16) September 29, 2018

In Orlando, state Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith dispatched a door-knocking team for his re-election campaign and for the Democratic ticket.

It’s a beautiful Saturday for door knocking in HD 49 & for talking FAIRNESS and EQUALITY with voters! #BringItHome pic.twitter.com/QdSw6F5MCV

— Rep. Carlos G Smith (@CarlosGSmith) September 29, 2018

Peñalosa picked on the fact the Republican Party of Florida’s Twitter feed Saturday, meanwhile, pushed National Coffee Day.

Of course, that all preceded the 2018 Victory Dinner for Republicans in Lake Buena Vista. Where DeSantis and Senate candidate Rick Scott faced a more sizable crowd.

https://twitter.com/FloridaGOP?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor