Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis kicked off his presidential campaign in Iowa on Tuesday by lashing out at the “elite” that controls the U.S. system, calling himself the boardroom, the government, and the progress of government. He was marketed as an unrepentant warrior who would reverse the tide of ideology. military.
“We must choose a path that will lead to the return of American greatness,” DeSantis told supporters at an evangelical church outside Des Moines.
In a fiery speech, he painted a dark image of America and said he would be the savior of the “malicious ideology” that was taking hold across the country. He described children as facing “indoctrination”. He has ridiculed transgender athletes, denounced the “Wake Up Olympics” diversity program, and blazed a run against Disney.
“Now is the time to impose our will on Washington, DC,” DeSantis said. “And if you don’t win, you can’t do anything.”
The visit will hopefully help DeSantis’ team begin the difficult process of chipping away at former President Donald J. Trump’s lead in early polls for the 2024 Republican primary, in 12 cities in three states. It was the first of a tour of
DeSantis did not mention Trump by name in his speech. But he intended to draw contrasts with the former president in the coming months, including how each leader handled the early days of the coronavirus pandemic more than three years ago, and his ability to win in 2024. Some areas left few questions.
At the press conference that followed, he stepped up the contrast.
DeSantis referred to former New York Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo, a Democrat, saying, “The former president is attacking me now for saying Cuomo handled coronavirus better than Florida did.” Stated. “I can tell you this: There are countless Republicans in this country who would rather live in New York under Cuomo than in Florida in the Free Zone.”
“Hey, his whole family moved to Florida during my time as governor. Are you kidding me?” DeSantis later added of Trump.
The DeSantis campaign’s decision to hold its first in-person event at the Eternity Church in the Des Moines suburb of Clive shows the enduring importance of evangelical Christian voters at the Iowa Republican caucus where the nomination process begins. .
Before the event Mr. DeSantis and his wife Casey DeSantis Campaign aides said he met privately with about 15 local pastors for private prayers about his family and his candidacy.
Eternity Pastor Jesse Newman said in an interview that the DeSantis team had made the decision to start campaigning at the church, saying, “As a pastor, I know they care about the Christian vote.” said. In a brief address to the audience, Mr. Neumann prayed for Mr. DeSantis’ family and appealed for the Lord’s intervention in “the war against globalism and socialism.”
DeSantis was introduced to the state by Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds, who joked that the state is the “Florida of the North” because of its similarly conservative policies.
“They will come here often,” Reynolds said of the DeSantis family.
Wearing a blazer, blue button-down shirt, and no tie, Mr. DeSantis appeared on stage alongside Mr. DeSantis, who also addressed the crowd with a demonstration: the central role she should play in campaign. The auditorium was full to capacity, with 600 seats, according to the pastor, and campaign officials estimated the crowd at more than 1,000 filled the lobby and other areas of the venue.
In his speech, Mr. DeSantis claimed that he fought the Left in Florida and won the election and the many policies enacted during his tenure.
He spoke of signing a six-week abortion ban, calling for the death penalty for those convicted of child sexual abuse, and “sending illegal immigrants to Martha’s Vineyard.” .
Mr. DeSantis included more biography in his speeches during his candidacy than he did before his candidacy. He cited his job as his mother’s nurse, his father’s setting up the Nielsen rating box, and his own minimum wage job.
“I was given nothing,” DeSantis said.
His rhythm felt rushed at times. He spoke so quickly that parts of him were drowned out by the crowd’s applause, but that didn’t slow him down.
Mr. Trump has more eyes on Mr. DeSantis than on other rivals, visiting Iowa on Wednesday and Thursday to meet with local Republicans and faith leaders, as well as a Fox News town hall event in Clive. It is scheduled to be held.
DeSantis sits to Trump’s right on several key issues, including abortion, as part of an effort to rally support for right-wing voters. At a press conference, he accused Trump of leaning left.
“I don’t think he’s an orator,” said Matt Wells, a conservative activist who drove 190 miles from Washington, Iowa, to meet Mr. DeSantis. “But if you ask him about policy, he will do it.
Former Clive City doctor Kenneth Wayne cited DeSantis’ leadership skills, including his military service, as selling points. He said he read Mr. DeSantis’s book cover-to-cover.
“I think this is someone who knows his own heart and doesn’t get blown away by the wind,” said Wayne, wearing a Vietnam Veteran’s hat. “He’s a conservative at heart.”
DeSantis sought to differentiate himself from Trump on social issues, citing Trump’s stance on abortion and the governor’s clash with Disney among others, arguing that he was the more conservative candidate in the race and that Trump would He cites it as evidence that he is a more conservative candidate. Moved to the center.
“I could destroy the left in this country,” DeSantis told Fox News on Monday.
It’s part of DeSantis’ pitch, more broadly, to win a second term in the White House by appealing to Republicans and independents who say they can no longer support the former president. We are focused on delivering on our commitments.
“There are a lot of voters who are never going to vote for him,” DeSantis told reporters on Tuesday. “We have no choice but to accept it.”
