Gov. DeSantis to launch full campaign next month, skipping exploratory committee.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis Poised to Enter Presidential Race

Last week, NBC News reported that Florida Governor Ron DeSantis was preparing to enter the presidential race in mid-May. Now, ABC News has contradicted that report, stating that DeSantis is moving more aggressively towards a full presidential campaign and is expected to skip the exploratory committee altogether.

DeSantis’ Strategy for the Debates

Sources have revealed that DeSantis’ team is already prepping for the primary debates, including reviewing past debate performances. However, the team is more focused on introducing the governor on a national stage rather than getting into a sparring match with former President Donald Trump. One former adviser has expressed concern about DeSantis’ tendency to get visibly shaken by attacks, stating that they are unsure how that would play with Trump standing across from him.

Exploratory Committees: A Half-Measure for the Indecisive

An exploratory committee is just a way to act like a candidate without actually committing to run. They let would-be presidents do many of the things candidates do, such as raising money, hiring a staff, and conducting polls, without technically being one. While they don’t have to report to the Federal Election Commission, they do have to follow its rules. Five-Thirty-Eight says the main advantage of forming one is that you get to make two announcements instead of just one, but they’re not actually necessary.

DeSantis’ Backers Urge Him to Declare Early

Some of DeSantis’ backers are urging him to declare as early as May 11 to counter the national narrative that Trump is the overwhelming front-runner for the 2024 GOP nomination. However, others in the governor’s orbit have argued that that date would be too soon. All emphasized, however, that mid-May is the target.

DeSantis’ Rivals Question His Temperament

Former Democratic rival Heather Beaven has criticized DeSantis’ temperament, stating that he “goes right to anger” and has “a thin skin.” While DeSantis may not have the same facility with words as some of the best candidates, being a smooth talker and always cool-headed is not a requirement for the job. After all, Joe Biden is currently president.

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