A.G. Gancarski
Can a tactic that worked in 2022 in Florida work nationally next year?
That’s the question the Ron DeSantis campaign will test starting Thursday, in a state where the Governor has run in a distant second place in polling of late.
First Lady Casey DeSantis is heading to Iowa Thursday, where she will appear with Gov. Kim Reynolds to launch a “Mamas for DeSantis” group in the city of Johnston.
“As the mom and dad of young children, Gov. DeSantis and First Lady Casey DeSantis know that when parents are engaged, America prospers. We need every mama and every grandmama in every corner of the country to stand up and fight back by electing Ron DeSantis president of the United States of America,” reads an event invitation that has been reported by multiple outlets.
The “Mamas for DeSantis” branding was called a “Million Mama Movement” back in 2022, when it leaned on personal branding including the DeSantis family’s three small children and the First Lady overcoming cancer, as well as the fight for “parental rights.”
Mrs. DeSantis hopes that mobilizing women can help the Governor in a state where he needs it.
The latest poll from Victory Insights shows Donald Trump more than doubling his support over the Florida Governor among likely caucus participants. Trump is preferred by 44% of respondents, with DeSantis taking just 21%.
Other candidates struggle by comparison.
U.S. Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina has 6% support and former United Nations envoy Nikki Haley and former Vice President Mike Pence each have 5%.
In a hypothetical two-way matchup between Trump and DeSantis, the two seem to split the vote for other candidates. Trump takes 49% and DeSantis 32%, suggesting not all supporters of marginal candidates are Never Trumpers.
The polling memo pushes back on favorable polling advanced by the DeSantis Never Back Down super PAC, polling the Governor trumpeted at a state event about Mexican border security held in Arizona last month.
“Never Back Down reported a 10-point margin between the two front-runners, but our numbers show Trump leading by 23 points among the crowded field. Even if the race narrowed to a head-to-head contest against DeSantis, Trump would maintain a lead of just over 16 (percentage points). No matter how you spin it, Trump is ahead in Iowa by a significant margin.”
At least one poll is better for DeSantis from last month: A June National Research Inc. poll commissioned by American Greatness shows the Governor trails Trump, 39% to 24%.
Other polls aren’t so strong for DeSantis.
An Emerson College survey from May shows Trump ahead of DeSantis, 62% to 20%.
In a McLaughlin and Associates poll conducted in late April, Trump led DeSantis in a full field of names, 54% to 20%. A hypothetical two-way battle between Trump and DeSantis also goes the former President’s way, 57% to 35%, with 8% undecided.
The Race to the White House polling average shows Trump ahead of DeSantis in the Hawkeye State, 45% to 23%.
19 comments
Shelby justice
July 5, 2023 at 8:53 am
The governor needs to stop flying around. Park your butt in Florida where you were re-elected. You are becoming a disappointment
Fighou
July 5, 2023 at 9:28 am
see
Michael K
July 5, 2023 at 9:31 am
No new ideas. No city on the hill, just anger that’s shrill and promises of ever more cruelty and division.
It’s not about the children, at all. It’s a grass tops effort to energize a dull and lifeless campaign – lipstick on a pig as they say in Iowa.
Dont Say FLA
July 5, 2023 at 11:34 am
All Rhonda got is a twist on George HW’s motto. Rhonda offers “a million points of whyte.”
PeterH
July 5, 2023 at 11:27 am
If Republicans would only send an additional $50 million to the DeSantis campaign….. he might have a chance of breaking his assigned 15% threshold!
Dont Say FLA
July 5, 2023 at 11:33 am
Casey decided their best chance is leaving Rhonda at home? Smart move, but I think it’s a little too late. Rhonda’s been on their campaign tour in enough places around Iowa that, already, Everybody Hates Rhonda. Once folks have encountered Rhonda, there’s no coming back from that.
Marshmallows in Potato Salad
July 5, 2023 at 4:16 pm
Casey in Miami esta no bueno; comidas typical es pico y Casey es blanco.
My Take
July 5, 2023 at 5:07 pm
Peering into Casey’s visage gives one a bit of pause. No, no hint of trans, none off that. Still, some hint that this is someone–or something– else. Not demonic, not evil, but not fully human. An entity driven by a simpler set of instructiòns than, say, the lovìng human mother. Likè a cyborg perhaps. Or half so.
(Rightwingers shouldn’t get all the “theories” fun.)
Dont Say FLA
July 5, 2023 at 10:00 pm
It’s either the Grinch in there, or an Anthony. Has anybody seen either of the Grinch or Casey Anthony in recent years? I know I haven’t seen either one. I figure the Grinch and Casey Anthony are one and the same, and they’re now donning a DeSantis meat suit, trying to reel in Elon Musk and, maaaaaybe, the White House too, but I’m not sure on the White House thing. Pretty sure that is just a diversion.
Joe
July 6, 2023 at 2:57 pm
Sometimes that Casey, she looks right into ya. Right into your eyes. Y’know the thing about Casey, she’s got… lifeless eyes, black eyes, like a doll’s eyes. When she comes at ya, doesn’t seem to be livin’… until she bites ya.
My Take
July 5, 2023 at 6:02 pm
When this princess first kissed the toad, was she surprised that he remained a toad?
To this day.
My Take
July 6, 2023 at 3:13 am
What will be her and Rhonda’s demeanor when he fails in 2024?
What does he do for two more years as governor? Showboating will ave lost much of its purpose.
And then what?
Dont Say FLA
July 6, 2023 at 9:24 am
Any or all of these will happen upon Rhonda’s personal exemption from Resign to Run
1- Rhonda will get laughed at everywhere they go, just like happens now
2- Parades in white boots and matching sheets + pointy hats outside of Disney World, just like happens now
3- There’s not enough Democrats in Florida, so Raging Rhonda will rage against Florida’s GOP, blaming them for Rhonda’s Camp-tastrophe, calling them groomers, claiming they were born women, etc etc, yawn. Same things happen now, but they will be redirected inward, bouncing around within Florida’s GOP
Mother Superior Slapshot, Bishop Hedman Academy
July 6, 2023 at 12:29 pm
My goodness me, you people! All these negative comments about the Governor and his wife. Can you not find one nice thing to say about either of them?
Not one?
Really?
I can’t either, but bless their hearts nonetheless.
Mr. Haney
July 6, 2023 at 1:27 pm
What exactly is she running for? Who’s taking care of her kids?
Joe
July 6, 2023 at 2:28 pm
Taking the pipsqueak off the trail to preserve his campaign… it’s cowardly and won’t make any difference, but have fun in Iowa, Casey!
Mammary Mom
July 6, 2023 at 3:47 pm
Mammaries For DeSantis 🔘🔘
Michael K
July 6, 2023 at 10:44 pm
Sort of detracts from the truth that the uterus is truly the object of control.
My Take
July 6, 2023 at 5:19 pm
Who CAN like DeSSantis?
What is there to like?
Sure, some can find him useful in gaining or keeping various advantages, but why would anyone like him?
An obnoxious bully and thug.
Useful just for beating up others you don’t like.
Comments are closed.