Here’s a fact that should unsettle the Ron DeSantis campaign: Since before he even announced he was running for the Republican presidential nomination in late May, his poll numbers have trended downward. That’s the opposite of good, and he has so far given no indication that there’s a plan to change it.
So here’s a free idea for the governor: Play to your strengths. Your strength is in your mastery of issues and policy. And the best way to display that strength is by crushing the people who challenge it. Those people are the media.
There are three fundamental truths in life. One plus one is two. When it rains, the ground gets wet. And when DeSantis confronts his corrupt critics in the press, voters fall in love.
We’ve seen it a million times. The clips of DeSantis raining verbal beatdowns on reporters who attempt to distort his policy record are legendary among his fans. He corrects the narrative and humbles a dork all at once. There is no downside.
Do it on live television. And when it’s dealing with newspapers, DeSantis should record videos of himself reading deceitful coverage and dismantling it with the facts. Then post it on Twitter. It would be an instant hit.
But for whatever reason, DeSantis has decided his campaign will not be about displaying his strength. He has instead opted to chat with Elon Musk, Sean Hannity, and others who already like him. Meanwhile, every other prominent Republican running for the nomination has
