A confidential Ron DeSantis campaign memo obtained by NBC News shows the Florida governor is trying to reassure donors that he remains a viable candidate, despite reports suggesting otherwise.
The document, which is dated July 6, suggests a path for victory exists by focusing on early states and not surrendering New Hampshire while holding back spending on “Super Tuesday” battleground states.
The memo indicates the campaign’s belief that former President Donald Trump’s commanding lead in the polls is softer than the raw numbers suggest.
“Early state voters are only softly committed to the candidates they select on a ballot question this far out -- including many Trump supporters,” the memo said.
“Our focus group participants in the early states even say they do not plan on making up their mind until they meet the candidates or watch them debate.”
The memo suggests the DeSantis campaign believes Trump supporters could be persuadable.
"Soft Trump voters and America First conservatives do not look kindly on Trumps record on guns, the deficit and spending, Transgenderism, ‘and his family's his cozy relationship with the Saudi Royal Family," the memo said.
The memo indicates DeSantis aims to emphasize his own biography while trashing rivals, noting Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) is a likely target of such attacks.
"While Tim Scott has earned a serious look at this stage, his bio is lacking the fight that our electorate is looking for in the next President,” the document says. “We expect Tim Scott to receive appropriate scrutiny in the weeks ahead."
The document also suggests the DeSantis campaign views Vivek Ramaswamy, Doug Burgum, Nikki Haley, Mike Pence and Chris Christie as pedestrian candidates.
"We've found low to no interest in Vivek, Burgum, and Nikki while far too many voters will not consider Pence and Christie for them to feel remotely viable."
