Ron DeSantis' refocused campaign may include going after Donald Trump, but he's not stooping to Trump's level just yet.
The Florida governor launched his campaign reboot in New Hampshire by dragging out well-worn rebuttals of the former president's rhetoric days after Trump ridiculed him and his sagging poll numbers.
"The fact that I'm taking the incoming from all of these people, not just him, but a lot of the other candidates, a lot of media — that shows people know that I'm a threat," DeSantis said.
Trump's Word of Caution
Trump warned Republicans in Iowa "not to take a chance" on DeSantis.
He continued disparaging DeSantis at a political rally in Erie County, Pennsylvania, and made fun of him by calling him "Ron DeSanctus."
DeSantis, however, is refusing to retort with the same ferocity. He did not explicitly mention Trump when he spoke to the Iowa Republicans.
He also covered old ground in New Hampshire, complaining to an audience in Rye that Trump had broken his promises to "drain the swamp" and build a wall along the border with US- Mexico and eliminate the national debt.
DeSantis is anticipated to start setting out clearer policy differences from Trump, beginning with the economic initiatives he intends to introduce in New Hampshire.
DeSantis' cautious stance toward Trump coincides with his campaign's overall considerable recalibration, which includes cost reductions and the departure of more than a third of his staff as he continues to behind in the polls and wealthy funders begin considering alternative candidates.
DeSantis is currently amid a multi-day campaign swing in New Hampshire and continues to hold the second-place position in polls of probable GOP primary voters.
Meanwhile, lower-tier candidates have started to take more direct aim at Trump as the GOP presidential field continues to struggle with handling the polling frontrunner, who still enjoys the backing of a sizeable chunk of the party's base.
What do you think about Trump constantly mocking other candidates?
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