Staffers within Governor Ron DeSantis’ office shared with the New York Times that Ron DeSantis will head to New Hampshire, Nevada, and possibly South Carolina to promote his new book “the Courage to Be Free.”
DeSantis has already done book signings in his home state of Florida and on Friday he visited Iowa.
So why did he choose to promote his book in these five states?
Well it’s because these states are the first states to vote in the 2024 republican presidential primary.
NEW: DeSantis to Iowa, NV and NH in the next few weeks – and possibly South Carolina https://t.co/pLY5pJ2dyP
— Maggie Haberman (@maggieNYT) February 28, 2023
DeSantis Hits the Trail. Just Don’t Call It a Campaign. https://t.co/ztJj16MfRH
— Jeremy / anti-partisan (@Moderateleft) March 2, 2023
Trump is well aware DeSantis is not just promoting a book but rather a presidential run and took to Truth Social and blasted DeSantis for his visit to Iowa.
Take a look:
About 5 minutes ago on Truth Social, President Trump shared his thoughts about Iowa and Iowa voters. He contrasted his positions with those of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.
Iowa is set to hold the first Republican presidential primary (caucus) on January 22, 2024.
— Vince Manfeld (@AureliusStoic1) March 10, 2023
Here’s what the New York Times reported:
Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida will make his debut appearances in three early presidential primary states in the next several weeks, according to two people briefed on his plans, selling his performance in his own state as he lays the groundwork for an expected presidential campaign.
Mr. DeSantis is tentatively expected to appear in Iowa during the first half of March, making stops in Davenport and Des Moines, according to the people briefed on his schedule who requested anonymity because they weren’t authorized to discuss the plans publicly. Shortly after, he is expected to appear in Nevada, an early primary state, followed a few weeks later by an expected trip to Manchester, N.H.
An appearance in South Carolina is also being discussed, according to the people briefed.
Hitting the traditional early primary states as he discusses his new book, “The Courage to Be Free: Florida’s Blueprint for America’s Revival,” allows Mr. DeSantis to unofficially test the waters and introduce himself nationally.
Mr. DeSantis is also expected on Sunday in California at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, a place that has often been a launching pad for presidential candidacies. And there are stops expected in a handful of other states, including New York. There’s also discussion of a stop in Peoria, Ill. Representative Darin LaHood said that Mr. DeSantis’s advisers had reached out about a possible visit to his district there. Mr. LaHood hosted former Vice President Mike Pence, who is considering a presidential campaign of his own, last summer as he made a string of public appearances ahead of a book tour.
A chunk of the Republican electorate, some conservative activists and a number of major donors have already pinned their hopes on Mr. DeSantis as the future of the party as they seek to move on from former President Donald J. Trump. They have praised his aggressive style and use of the powers of his office, and his willingness to dive into battles over cultural issues that have come to define the modern Republican Party.
Mr. Trump still leads the field in a number of national opinion polls, with others showing Mr. DeSantis ahead. A recent Fox News poll showed Mr. Trump leading Mr. DeSantis by 15 points, 43 percent to 28 percent, and a Morning Consult poll showed a wider margin, 18 percent. But it’s the early states where Mr. DeSantis will seek to stake his claim on the nomination if he runs.
In Iowa, Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) decides to test out a new word: “woke-ocracy.” pic.twitter.com/HoUbyEXOtf
— The Recount (@therecount) March 10, 2023
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