The Florida governor has stuck to his old talking points, and the focus on retail politics has been less than smooth.
In an effort to revive his presidential campaign, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis hosted an event in New Hampshire, offering attendees a chance to drink beer with him for just $1. However, despite the low price, only about two dozen people attended the event at the New Hampshire Home Builders Association. This low turnout reflected a broader issue in DeSantis’ campaign: a lack of momentum and interest in his bid for the White House. His campaign had promised a new approach, but the focus on retail politics seemed to lack any substantial change.
DeSantis’ campaign strategy, while intended to make him more approachable, seems to be falling flat. Despite efforts to increase his visibility through events in Iowa and New Hampshire, his message hasn’t resonated with voters. He had hoped to revitalize his candidacy by engaging with voters directly in diners and town-hall forums, but the results have been less than promising. DeSantis’ economic policy speech in Rochester, New Hampshire, for example, was delivered to just 100 people, showing how little impact his new strategy has had.
Attendees at his events have also been critical of the lack of change in DeSantis’ campaign. Jim Tobin, who attended the governor’s economic policy speech, remarked that DeSantis’ campaign would likely not be trying so hard if his poll numbers were higher. This sentiment highlights a broader issue: DeSantis is stuck in a campaign cycle of rehashing old talking points, with little sign of any breakthrough moments that could energize his base.
Despite his declining poll numbers and the struggles with his campaign events, DeSantis and his team insist that they are sticking to their plan. Campaign spokesman Andrew Romeo emphasized that DeSantis will continue to focus on his policy agenda and make the case for why he is the best candidate to lead the country. The campaign also takes issue with the media’s focus on “clickbait” stories, framing their candidate’s actions as diligent work for every vote.
One of the key pillars of DeSantis’ plan is to leverage his success in Florida and export his policies to the national stage. However, his reliance on culture-war issues, which dominated the early days of his campaign, continues to be central to his rhetoric. While DeSantis has made some attempts to broaden his message with economic and foreign policy speeches, he often returns to the familiar talking points that have defined his tenure as Florida’s governor.
The criticism of DeSantis’ campaign isn’t just about low attendance or lack of excitement. The deeper issue lies in his failure to adapt his approach in a way that resonates with voters outside of his home state. As he continues his bus tour and meets with potential voters in key states, the question remains whether his message can evolve enough to spark the kind of enthusiasm needed to shift the dynamics of the Republican race.