DeSantis denounces leaked memo from PAC with debate strategy: 'I haven't read it'
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) distanced himself from a debate prep memo leaked earlier this week from a political action committee (PAC) supporting his 2024 presidential campaign, saying he hasn’t read it.
“On the memo, it’s not mine. I haven’t read it,” DeSantis said in a brief Fox News interview Saturday. “It’s just something that we have and put off to the side.”
The memo from Never Back Down PAC suggested to DeSantis that he defend former President Trump during the first GOP debate in Wisconsin next week. According to reports, Trump won’t be in attendance — choosing instead to sit down with former Fox News host Tucker Carlson.
The advice from Never Back Down also instructs DeSantis to “take a sledgehammer” to rival Vivek Ramaswamy, who has surged in recent months in polls as DeSantis’ campaign has failed to pick up steam since he joined the race in May.
A recent poll from Emerson College even showed DeSantis and Ramaswamy tied at 10 percent each, trailing Trump, who leads with 56 percent.
DeSantis's campaign previously denied knowledge of the memo when it was leaked Thursday.
“This was not a campaign memo and we were not aware of it prior to the article,” the campaign said. “We are well accustomed to the attacks from all sides as the media and other candidates realize Ron DeSantis is the strongest candidate best positioned to take down Joe Biden.”
DeSantis and his campaign say they expect him to be the main target on the debate stage, arguing that It's proof he's doing something right.
“When you’re over the target, that’s when you’re taking the most flak. If you look, really in the last 6-9 months, I’ve been more attacked than anybody else,” DeSantis said. “People know that I’m the biggest threat."
The governor is still placing second in national polls, on average, though his support has waned in recent weeks. He has about 15 percent support in national polling averages, compared to Trump’s field-leading 53 percent and Ramaswamy’s 8 percent.