Now that Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is off and running in Iowa, he’s come out swinging against Former President Donald Trump.
While he’s down 30 points on average from Trump in the polls, DeSantis is hoping to highlight some key differences in an effort to flip the momentum.
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He kicked off his campaign in Iowa this week, and for the first time, really swung hard at Trump in a tangible way. Alongside him was an influential GOP power player.
GOP Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds introduced DeSantis at his kickoff event at a large Des Moines church, where she praised him profusely. She hasn’t done that for other candidates, so expect an endorsement to be coming down the line. That’ll give DeSantis a fighting chance in the crucial first primary race.
And for once, DeSantis was relaxed. He came out swinging, bringing up Florida and Trump’s choice to move there.
“He spent so much of his time as president on vacation, he might as well make it permanent.”
DeSantis actually got the audience to laugh. There was no “please, clap,” Jeb Bush moment:
DeSantis seemed to relish going on the attack. It was natural for him.
“I’m gonna counterpunch, I’m gonna fight back. I think unfortunately, Trump has decided to move left on some of these issues. He used to say how great Florida was, hell his whole family moved to Florida under my governorship, are you kidding me?”
And on Disney? DeSantis isn’t backing down.
“We stand for the protection of our children and fight those who seek to rob them of their innocence. And on that point there will be no compromise.”
This pitch — a consistent, policy line of attack — may just impress voters who are looking for a fighter. Sure, DeSantis may have been too cautious pre-announcement. But it appears he was saving his greatest hits for when it would count the most.
The news may spell awkward news for former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, who will be announcing his candidacy early next week. Christie said he wanted to do to Trump what he did to Florida Senator Marco Rubio on the 2016 primary debate stage:
He felt that there was no candidate gutsy enough to swing hard against Trump.
But, DeSantis appears to have heeded the call. Other candidates need not apply? Time will tell.
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