Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) is taping a robocall for Senate candidate Joe O’Dea, a boon for the Colorado Conservative, after erstwhile President Trump urged Republicans to ditch his campaign.
Endorsement and Attack
In the robocall, which the O’Dea campaign supplied to the Washington Examiner on Sunday, DeSantis says the country needs real leadership.
So, he backs Joe O’Dea for Senate — Joe O’Dea for Colorado! He said he had observed Joe from afar and he’s glad about it.
DeSantis’ endorsement of O’Dea separates him from Trump in the midterms. It also fuels anticipation the two could clash in the 2024 GOP presidential primary. Just days previously, the former president called O’Dea a “RINO” for freely discussing their disputes.
NEWS: @GovRonDeSantis is recording a robocall for @ODeaForColorado, a boost for the underdog #COSEN contender after TRUMP essentially urged grassroots conservatives to abandon his campaign. https://t.co/rvwttYAaId @dcexaminer
— David M. Drucker (@DavidMDrucker) October 23, 2022
In a liberal state that seldom elects Republicans statewide, O’Dea’s approach of differentiating himself from Trump and adopting moderate positions on some topics is smart.
Bennet leads O’Dea 49.5% to 42% in RealClearPolitics and all six recent polls.
The former president prioritizes personal devotion over growing the GOP’s presence in blue areas.
The past president wrote a lengthy condemnation of O’Dea on Truth Social, the Twitter-like platform he started, on Oct. 17. O’Dea, 60, is running for public office for the first time.
My problem with this endorsement is Joe O’Dea said he will be our party version of Manchain. It would be a major deal if DeSantis decided to endorsed Walker. Why not endorse Don Bolduc who Trump hasn’t endorsed yet? Those would be good endorsements. Not everything is about Trump. https://t.co/b1b9uGG1rK
— The Calvin Coolidge Project (@TheCalvinCooli1) October 23, 2022
Trump said Joe O’Dea is a RINO trying to run against the elected Democrat for the U.S. Senate in Colorado.
O’Dea is declaring he wants to ‘distance’ himself from Trump. Trump then added that MAGA would not vote for foolish loudmouths. “Good luck Joe!”
DeSantis is reelection-bound in Florida.
Next to Trump, DeSantis is the most prevalent Republican among grassroots Republicans nationwide. The O’Dea movement is confident that DeSantis’ approval two weeks before Election Day will drum up support among waning GOP base voters.
They’re a minority in Colorado, but O’Dea needs them to defeat Bennet.
Additional Support
DeSantis insists O’Dea is not a professional politician in the robocall. He’s a builder. He started from scratch. He’s a fighter and leader.
Bennet votes 98% with Biden. The results were disastrous for Americans. His state needs fresh leadership.
DeSantis says Joe’s focused on the border and crime. He’ll stand up to both parties’ big spenders and cut red tape. He urges Colorado voters to vote for Joe O’Dea.
The Colorado Republican’s campaign focuses on the Florida governor’s comments on O’Dea’s support for border protection and lowering crime.
O’Dea separated himself from Trump on the 2020 election and Roe v. Wade. On immigration, public security, and inflation, he sounds like any other conservative Republican.
O’Dea’s campaign says it can maximize GOP base support with DeSantis’ endorsement. O’Dea plans to use DeSantis’ endorsement and robocall statements in digital ads and voter outreach.
O’Dea has been supported by a who’s who of Republicans targeting the White House in 2024, notably Tom Cotton, Chris Christie, Larry Hogan, Nikki Haley, and Tim Scott.
DeSantis has Rep. Dan Crenshaw’s (R-TX) support.
This article appeared in The Political Globe and has been published here with permission.
