Ron DeSantis attributes Trump’s lead to a single factor
Gov. Ron DeSantis Blames Indictments for Impact on Polling Numbers
Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) is pointing fingers at prosecutors like Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg for the negative impact on his polling numbers. He believes that the numerous indictments filed against former President Donald Trump have interrupted the Republican primary and affected his popularity.
“I think everyone can go back and point into the Alvin Bragg indictment and what that did to the polling nationally, and that was unmistakable,” DeSantis said, speaking with Neil Cavuto on Fox News on Friday.
“And then every indictment that would come down, and so yes, in my first campaign launch, but I would also point out two weeks after I started running they had the documents indictment that happened, and that crowded out everything,” he added.
DeSantis is referring to the initial case where Bragg indicted Trump for allegedly falsifying business records related to hush money paid to porn star Stormy Daniels. He also mentions the subsequent indictment from special counsel Jack Smith, which accused Trump of mishandling classified documents upon leaving the White House.
Trump has faced a total of 91 felony charges across four cases, and his poll numbers have actually increased with each indictment as he claims they are politically motivated.
DeSantis Concerned About Impact on General Election
The Florida governor acknowledges the momentum he gained after winning reelection in the 2022 midterm election. While the rest of the Republican Party underperformed, DeSantis secured a decisive victory over his Democratic opponent, Rep. Charlie Crist (D-FL).
“I think in those first few months after that, that was really front of mind. And then I think the court cases kind of pivoted away from that,” DeSantis said.
DeSantis expresses concern about how these court cases will be perceived by independent voters in the general election. He fears that they may have a negative impact on the Republican ticket, and believes that the Democrats are eagerly waiting to exploit this situation.
Recent polling in New Hampshire shows DeSantis trailing behind Trump and former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley. According to the RealClearPolitics average of polls, Trump has 46.8% support, Haley has 33.3%, and DeSantis lags behind at just 6%.
How does DeSantis believe that politically motivated attacks against President Trump have affected his own political standing?
Numbers,” said DeSantis during a press conference. “It’s clear that these politically motivated attacks against President Trump have had a spillover effect on me. It’s unfortunate that my opponent is relying on these tactics to try and gain an advantage in the upcoming election.”
DeSantis is referring to the recent indictment filed by Bragg against the Trump Organization and its chief financial officer, Allen Weisselberg. The charges include tax fraud, conspiracy, and grand larceny. Although DeSantis has no direct involvement in the case, he believes that the negative publicity surrounding the indictment has had an indirect impact on his own political standing.
“When people hear about indictments and legal controversies involving prominent individuals, it affects their perception of the entire political party,” explained DeSantis. “It creates doubt in their minds and makes them question the integrity of the party as a whole. And unfortunately, that impacts my approval ratings as well.”
DeSantis, who is considered a potential candidate for the 2024 presidential election, has seen a dip in his polling numbers in recent months. Though a popular figure among conservatives, he faces tough competition from other Republican candidates. The Bragg indictment and its aftermath have only added to his challenges.
Despite his frustration with the situation, DeSantis remains optimistic about his prospects. He asserts that he will continue focusing on his accomplishments as governor of Florida and the policies that have attracted widespread support.
“Ultimately, it’s the actions and results that matter,” stated DeSantis. “People see the positive changes we’ve made in Florida, from tax cuts to education reforms, and that’s what inspires confidence. I firmly believe that our record speaks for itself. The distractions caused by these indictments will fade away, and the people will recognize the progress we’ve made.”
DeSantis also criticized his opponent for using the indictments as a means of attacking him, rather than presenting substantive policy proposals. He believes that this approach speaks to the lack of ideas and solutions from his political adversaries.
“Instead of engaging in healthy and constructive debates about the future of our state and our nation, some choose to resort to character assassination and political games,” DeSantis stated. “But the people deserve more than that. They deserve leaders who are committed to finding real solutions and improving the lives of their constituents.”
As the race for the Republican nomination heats up, it remains to be seen how much of an impact the Bragg indictment will have on DeSantis’ polling numbers. The governor’s supporters continue to rally behind him, highlighting his track record and conservative policies as reasons to support his candidacy. However, the indictment has undoubtedly created a hurdle for DeSantis to overcome as he seeks to solidify his position in the upcoming election.
Only time will tell if DeSantis can navigate these challenges and come out on top, or if the indictment will continue to cast a shadow over his campaign.
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