Although President Trump spent most of his time at Tuesday’s rally in Tampa speaking about his administration’s accomplishments, he also used it as an opportunity to throw his support behind a couple of candidates in key
President Trump said it himself - an endorsement from him can change the course of an election, and that has certainly been the case in Florida’s Republican gubernatorial primary.
President Trump, endorsing U.S. Representative Ron DeSantis, called the candidate for Florida’s Governor, “A proud veteran, my great friend, a tough, brilliant cookie.”
DeSantis, acknowledging the important role the president’s endorsement has had told the crowd, “It’s a true honor to be standing here, endorsed by the President of United States.”
DeSantis spoke only briefly. He listed several of the Trump administrations policies which conservatives would favor, told the crowd he would appreciate their vote in the primary August 28.
The President acknowledged there is a self-serving element to his endorsements. Frustrated by what he calls Democratic obstructionists, his agenda would face less resistance with more GOP victories.
“We need to elect more Republicans. We need more votes,” said President Trump.
Trump’s endorsement of Ron DeSantis has turned Florida’s GOP gubernatorial primary upside down.
The president never mentioned DeSantis’s primary opponent - Florida Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam - by name.
But polls show Desantis, who was once behind - now leads by double digits.
“Right now, it gives an edge to DeSantis, but there are still a few weeks for Putnam to try to come from behind,” said political analyst Susan Macmanus, “But he’s running defense. And obviously DeSantis is running offense now.”
The president didn’t quite as formally endorse Florida’s governor in his senate race, urge the crowd to vote for, in his words, “One of our nation’s truly great leaders, Rick Scott.”
The president had no problem mentioning Scott‘s opponent - incumbent Democratic Senator Bill Nelson by name, branding Nelson has a liberal Democrat.
Scott, faces a much tighter race, and skipped the Trump rally instead attending a fundraiser.
Likely a political strategy, and a state polarized by the president, according to Macmanus.
“He respects the fact that Rick Scott has got a tough contest when it gets to the general election, and that Rick Scott is going to have to appeal to some Democrats and some no party affiliation voters,” said MacManus.
The president didn’t say when or if he would be back for another rally, but urged his supporters to vote in the primary, celebrate their victories only briefly, and then get back to work for the November general election.
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