First, it was the DeSantis is everywhere tour that began two weeks ago with the campaign reboot. Now it is time to ‘let Ron be Ron.’

The first step to correcting a problem is to admit you have one. The DeSantis called a group of about 70 of the campaign’s top contributors together to meet at the Stein Eriksen Lodge in Deer Valley, Utah for a campaign retreat weekend. During the hour-long panel discussion with three top campaign officials on Sunday, they admitted that too much money has been spent and the campaign got off to a disappointing start. Campaign contributors were assured that changes are being made.

There was talk that perhaps the campaign manager, Generra Peck, might be one who would be let go or reassigned within the campaign but she led the meeting on Sunday. She said that financial expenditures had been ineffective so far. The campaign will be leaner going forward in an “insurgent” posture. DeSantis will be exposed to voters more. Thus, they will put DeSantis on the campaign trail in smaller, more intimate situations and let him interact with the voters. A campaign fundraiser summed it up. “Let Ron be Ron,” added Iarossi. “That’s what got him here. That’s what made him the leader that he is in Florida. We’re going back to our basics on all of this.”

DeSantis will run more as an outsider, do more media and smaller events. It makes sense at this point in the primary. It isn’t time for big rallies at big venues. He attracts large crowds but the voters don’t get to know him like that. During the primary, especially in the early states, voters expect personal contact with presidential candidates. Let Trump do the bigger events – people already know him.

Peck’s position in the campaign is not in danger.

“The important thing that everyone realized here is the first family has complete faith in Generra and the team,” he said. “The team is going to continue to evaluate the direction, be nimble, and make changes as necessary. But the team is solidly behind her, the donors are solidly behind her. And this insurgent campaign that’s being run is going to allow us to be more efficient going forward.”

The campaign wanted to keep the donors calm and assured that they see what is happening and are working to make corrections. Digital director Ethan Eilon was promoted to deputy campaign manager on Monday.

What is notable about all the cash the campaign is burning through – it isn’t being spent on campaign ads, where most candidates spend the bulk of donations. Instead, the cash has been spent on private jets and donor events. That’s not smart and no wonder the campaign’s first few weeks have been so disappointing. 40% of the money raised in the first six weeks of the campaign has been spent.

The campaign should prioritize more ads on television, especially in early state television markets. Tim Scott has ads up in Texas that I see on a pretty regular basis. He’s moving up in the polls, slightly, but it’s movement. The campaign should also focus on getting DeSantis to talk about policy and how he would contrast with Biden. The woke agenda trashing is important but he has to branch out more from it and bring in policy. Tell voters what he will do for them as they try to make ends meet each month and put their kids in good schools. The economy, school choice, border security, and high crime rates are top issues with voters. Let DeSantis talk about those issues and voters will respond.