NEW: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is leaning toward skipping the launch of an exploratory committee in favor of launching a full presidential campaign next month, sources say.
DeSantis will enter the race with just months to go until the first Republican primary debate -- and although he has yet to formally announce, his team has already quietly begun debate prep, sources familiar with the preparations have told ABC News, including reviewing past debate performances.
Still, sources said the governor's strategy heading into the debates will be more focused on introducing the governor on a national stage rather than getting into a sparring match with the former president. However, the team has been paying close attention to how to help manage the governor's facial reactions in the upcoming debate, sources said.
Former DeSantis challenger Heather Beaven is one of the few candidates who have faced the former governor on a debate stage. Beaven, a Democrat who lost the 2012 congressional race to DeSantis, described him as someone who was very well rehearsed and knew his information well -- but appeared unable to pivot in unscripted moments.
Beaven, who is the CEO of an education nonprofit that became engaged in litigation with the Florida Department of Education earlier this year, said those debate moments did not feel rehearsed. "It's just a thin skin," she said.
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