Governor Ron DeSantis of Florida made a noteworthy departure from the majority of Republican voters by stating in a recent interview that Donald J. Trump lost the 2020 election. His comments come at a time when Trump’s G.O.P. rivals are testing new strategies against him.
In an interview with NBC News, DeSantis confidently stated, “Of course he lost. Joe Biden is the president.” This is a notable shift for DeSantis, who had previously avoided giving direct answers on whether he believed the election was stolen and campaigned for election deniers during the 2022 midterms.
DeSantis’s change in strategy serves to strengthen his argument against Trump by highlighting the Republican Party’s poor performance in recent elections under Trump’s leadership. It also suggests that Trump’s legal troubles have created an opportunity for his competitors.
While DeSantis’s remarks are accurate, they may put him at odds with the Republican base. According to a recent CNN poll, approximately 70% of Republican voters believe that Biden’s victory was not legitimate. Trump himself continues to insist that he was the rightful winner.
Prominent candidates like former Governor Chris Christie and former Vice President Mike Pence have spoken out strongly against Trump, but their arguments have not resonated with Republican voters. Christie is polling at around 2% nationally, and Pence has not yet qualified for the first Republican debate.
DeSantis still expressed concerns about the 2020 election in the interview, citing issues such as mail-in ballots, private donations to election administrators, and social media companies limiting the spread of a report about Hunter Biden’s laptop. However, he emphasized the need for Republicans to fight back rather than denying the election’s validity.
Although election denial may work in Republican primaries, it does not fare well in general elections in battleground states. A CNN poll found that 60% of independent voters believe Biden won the election.
DeSantis’s comments may alienate some of Trump’s hard-line supporters, but they could also help alleviate concerns of big-money donors. Some donors have withheld contributions due to DeSantis’s more conservative approach. His campaign has faced a fundraising shortfall and staff layoffs.
In recent weeks, DeSantis has taken a more moderate approach, giving interviews with mainstream news outlets and engaging with reporters on the campaign trail. He has criticized Trump for his age, failure to “drain the swamp,” and the party’s “culture of losing.” However, he has still defended Trump against criminal charges, portraying them as political weaponization.
Overall, DeSantis’s remarks indicate a gradual shift rather than a direct confrontation with Trump. He rarely mentions Trump by name in his stump speeches, only addressing the topic when asked by attendees or reporters.
Some Republican candidates, such as Senator Tim Scott and former Governor Nikki Haley, have acknowledged the overall legitimacy of the 2020 election while supporting efforts to tighten voting measures in Republican-led states. These measures have faced criticism from civil rights and voting rights activists for potentially disenfranchising low-income and minority voters.
In conclusion, Governor Ron DeSantis’s recent comments on the 2020 election demonstrate a departure from the Republican orthodoxy. While they may put him at odds with the Republican base, they also highlight his attempts to distance himself from Trump and appeal to a broader audience. DeSantis’s shift in strategy could have implications for the Republican primary and general election in 2024.
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