Governor Ron DeSantis of Florida is facing mounting internal criticism for his perceived lack of charm and unapproachable demeanor while on the presidential campaign trail, as revealed by insider sources to RadarOnline.com.
Despite trailing former President Donald Trump significantly in opinion polls, DeSantis's campaign team has been pressing the governor to engage more openly with everyday citizens. The aim is to boost his relatability and, in turn, his poll numbers as the 2024 presidential election looms.
However, the Florida Governor has shown a notable reluctance to hold open question-and-answer forums during his campaign stops. His avoidance of media and his volatile reaction towards a New Hampshire reporter querying his lack of audience engagement have further exacerbated concerns about his approachability.
“His stiffness is noticeable, and he needs to loosen up. It’s time for him to step out more and engage with the public," one insider associated with the DeSantis campaign told the Daily Mail over the weekend.
Concerns extend to DeSantis's presentational style, especially as his wife, Casey DeSantis, a former TV reporter, often eclipses him at rallies with her easy charm and adept handling of public and media interactions.
“If his wife, a veteran TV reporter, cannot coach him, then who can?” mused another source in proximity to DeSantis’s campaign.
Campaign strategists are now studying methods to remedy DeSantis's lack of appeal, such as organizing visits to small-town eateries or arranging more intimate gatherings with select voter groups.
Simultaneously, as previously reported by RadarOnline.com, DeSantis is grappling with criticism from his major 2024 rival, ex-President Trump. Trump has been forthright in his remarks about DeSantis, confessing at the recent GOP convention in North Carolina that he isn't kind to the Florida governor.
Senior adviser to Trump's 2024 campaign, Jason Miller, recently pointed out DeSantis's struggle to resonate with voters since launching his presidential bid. He said, “Ron DeSanctimonious’s underlying issue is his dislike for people, which poses a major hurdle for a presidential aspirant."
According to an average compiled by Real Clear Politics, DeSantis lags more than 30 percentage points behind Trump in the polls. Yet, there might be a silver lining for DeSantis. A recent poll indicates he's gaining ground on the former president in the pivotal state of Iowa.