Why all other candidates will turn their backs on Ron DeSantis

Center candidate: Ron DeSantis and from left to right Mike Pence, Tim Scott, Nikki Haley and Vivek Ramaswami Photo: Daily Telegraph

First Wednesday night's Republican primary debate effectively fired the starting gun in the 2024 US presidential race.

One candidate can win or lose more than any other when he takes the stage in Milwaukee: Ron DeSantis.

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The Governor of Florida positioned himself as the natural successor to Donald Trump's MAGA movement when he announced his bid for the White House earlier this year.

At the height of a landslide re-election and a string of legislative victories bodies, he immediately attracted the attention of voters and donors as a worthy alternative to Trump.

But since his failed launch of his Twitter campaign, his polls have declined almost indefinitely.

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Prime-time debates are the last opportunity to restart your campaign and silence the doubters.

He must do more than convince Republicans watching at home.

The irritated GOP donor class will also scrutinize his appearance amid growing doubts about his star power.

Everyone agrees that it is needed. «breakthrough moment» to overshadow his lackluster campaign.

Fox News host and debate moderator Bret Bayer records a social media post outside the arena as preparations are underway for U.S. Republican presidential candidates to convene for their first primary debate of the 2024 campaign in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on Wednesday night U.S. time. Photo: JONATHAN ERNST/REUTERS

The 44-year-old governor did little to temper expectations: he hired top GOP debate expert Brett O'Donnell for his training, setting the bar high for his speech today.

But because Mr. Trump remains on the sidelines, Mr. DeSantis acknowledged that he would be a prime target for seven other candidates on stage.

According to his campaign manager James Utmyer, his rivals have «the biggest chance make headlines by attacking the governor.»

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His closest rival, Vivek Ramaswami, has already made it clear that he is ready to fight him.

“I actually prepare a lot less than any other candidate,” he said. in a veiled excavation, adding that he would not use «pre-arranged ready lines of attack.»

The 38-year-old entrepreneur came from behind to challenge Mr. DeSantis, who finished second in the race.

Mr. Ramaswamy, in turn, is likely to face interrogation due to his comments on the September 11, 2001 attacks and past inconsistencies on some positions.

The two men literally share the center According to information released by the GOP National Committee on Tuesday night, reflecting their status in the election.

They will be accompanied by Mike Pence, 64, former vice president, and Nikki Haley, 51, former South Carolina governor and ambassador to UN.

Next up will be Tim Scott, 57, Senator from South Carolina. , and Chris Christie, 60, a former governor of New Jersey who is most likely to hit both Mr. DeSantis and Mr. Ramaswamy.

The two lowest-ranked candidates are the Governor of North Dakotas Doug Burgum, 67, and former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, 72, will close the stage.

While Mr. Trump is away, the former president and leader of the 2024 Republican Party will continue to make a big difference on stage debate.

His allegations are pending. interrogation is expected, and Mr. Trump plans to turn himself in at a prison in Atlanta, Georgia, the next day.

The challenge for all eight candidates present is to find a way to stop Mr. Trump from dominating at the event. he doesn't even bother to attend. The former president is expected to appear in a pre-recorded interview with former Fox News anchor Tucker Carlson, which will air on X (Twitter).