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The Yalie glad-hander with a legendary pained half-smile campaigned heavily against Fine in the days leading up to the special election, even as he knew it was useless.

The professional host and career glad-hander relishes personal interactions with supporters, and even longtime critics acknowledge his charisma in one-on-one interactions.

DeSantis has also faced persistent whispers that he is not a natural glad-hander, making Iowa a high-profile test of his ability to engage in the retail politics expected in early primary states.

But Youngkin supporters paint him as a worthy alternative with a more affable, less prickly personality, someone who transitioned easily from a corporate glad-hander to a first-time candidate.

Mr. Mettler uses the same language as Mr. McCarthy’s biggest Republican detractors in the House: a glad-hander on the outside but a “hatchet man” behind the scenes; “a creature of Washington” who has spent his time building his own power base instead of the party’s.