DeSantis urged to defend Trump and ‘hammer’ Ramaswamy in debate.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis Urged to Take Unconventional Approach in Presidential Primary Debate
Get ready for a surprise at Wednesday’s Republican presidential primary debate in Milwaukee. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is set to shake things up with an unconventional strategy that might catch the audience off guard.
A strategist for a super PAC unofficially affiliated with DeSantis’ campaign has shared some intriguing documents. According to The New York Times, Jeff Roe, the chief strategist for the Never Back Down PAC, has urged DeSantis to defend his chief rival for the nomination.
Last week, Roe shared strategy memos on the website of his consulting company, Axiom Strategies, advocating for this atypical debate strategy.
The memos specifically advise DeSantis to criticize businessman Vivek Ramaswamy, who is currently in third place but rising in the polls. Ramaswamy, who has donated to Democratic candidates, is to be portrayed as an “inauthentic conservative.”
Furthermore, the consultant suggests that DeSantis openly defend former President Donald Trump in response to potential attacks from former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, who has positioned himself as the most outspoken anti-Trump candidate.
“There are four basic must-dos,” the memo advises DeSantis, using the name “GRD” for the candidate to potentially avoid legal issues related to campaign coordination with super PACs.
- Attack Joe Biden and the media 3-5 times.
- State GRD’s positive vision 2-3 times.
- Hammer Vivek Ramaswamy in a response.
- Defend Donald Trump in absentia in response to a Chris Christie attack.
The documents were initially available on the Axiom website but were later removed after inquiries were made by The New York Times. Neither the super PAC nor the DeSantis campaign has responded to requests for comment.
While this advice may seem unusual to some, it is not without precedent in the Republican primary. In the 2016 GOP primary race, Chris Christie aggressively targeted Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, seeking his voters rather than those of the front-runner, Trump.
However, some conservatives, including Trump critic Ann Coulter, have dismissed this campaign advice as political hogwash.
More of the worst campaign advice I’ve ever seen:
<<4. Defend Donald Trump in absentia ...>>
Are you retarded?https://t.co/ENLAY1CT8p
— Ann Coulter (@AnnCoulter) August 17, 2023
Another memo from Never Back Down suggests that DeSantis scrutinize Ramaswamy’s belief in the religion of Hinduism. The memo also highlights Ramaswamy’s defense of the Hindu caste system practiced in India, which is seen as conflicting with American principles of equality and meritocracy.
It is worth noting that Trump has indicated he will not be attending any GOP debates, while both DeSantis and Ramaswamy are expected to be present.
Source: The Western Journal
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