Ron DeSantis vows to send Biden ‘back to his basement,’ rips debt-ceiling deal in Iowa campaign kickoff
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis kicked off his first official presidential campaign event in Iowa on Tuesday night, labeling the country as “careening toward bankruptcy” as a result of President Biden’s debt ceiling deal with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. DeSantis spoke in front of a packed audience at the Eternity Church in Clive, just to the west of Des Moines, marking his first stop on a three-state, 12-city tour, which will also take in the two primary states of New Hampshire and South Carolina.
DeSantis’ campaign slogan for the tour is “Our Great American Comeback,” and he began his speech by buttering up the crowd by referring to his home state of Florida as the “Iowa of the southeast.” He then launched into his campaign pitch of competent, conservative governance, claiming that “leadership is not about entertainment. It’s not about building a brand. It’s not about virtue signaling. It is about results.”
DeSantis highlighted his track record as governor of Florida, signing the heartbeat bill with the strongest pro-life protections in modern Florida history, and referring to Florida as a state that prioritizes deeds over words. In addition, DeSantis also blasted McCarthy’s debt deal with Biden, calling it a green lighting of “$4 trillion in new debt in less than two years.”
With the crisis at the border, DeSantis touched on the infiltration of Mexican drug cartels, claiming that “Millions of illegal aliens have poured into this country including criminal aliens, and even individuals on the terrorist watch list,” and that the cartels were killing their fellow Americans with massive amounts of fentanyl. He also referenced the embattled first son Hunter Biden, stating that he would have already faced jail time if he was a Republican.
Earlier this month, “Never Back Down,” the pro-DeSantis super PAC, announced that 37 Republicans from Iowa’s House and Senate, including Senate President Amy Sinclair and House Majority Leader Matt Windschitl, endorsed DeSantis. This influx of support for DeSantis prompted the PAC to call it “the largest number of endorsements from Iowa legislators at this stage of a GOP primary in modern memory.”
The event, though considered a more traditional stump speech for DeSantis, was a financial success, raising a record $8.2 million in the first 24 hours after the announcement.
FAQs:
Who is Ron DeSantis?
Ron DeSantis is the current Governor of Florida and a member of the Republican party. He was elected as Governor in 2018, and previously represented the state’s sixth congressional district in the United States House of Representatives.
Is Ron DeSantis running for President?
Yes, Ron DeSantis is currently running for President in the 2024 United States Presidential Election.
What is Ron DeSantis’ campaign slogan?
Ron DeSantis’ campaign slogan is “Our Great American Comeback.”
What states is Ron DeSantis visiting on his campaign tour?
Ron DeSantis’ campaign tour covers three states: Iowa, New Hampshire, and South Carolina.
What did Ron DeSantis talk about during his campaign event in Iowa?
Ron DeSantis covered a range of topics in his campaign event, including Biden’s debt ceiling deal with Kevin McCarthy, his track record as the governor of Florida, the crisis at the border, and the embattled first son, Hunter Biden.
How much money did Ron DeSantis’ campaign earn in the first 24 hours after the announcement?
Ron DeSantis’ campaign earned a record $8.2 million in the first 24 hours after the announcement.
DeSantis Pledges to Send Biden ‘Back to His Basement’ and Criticizes Debt-Ceiling Agreement in Iowa Campaign Launch.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis launched his official presidential campaign with a event in Iowa on Tuesday, warning voters that the nation is “careening towards bankruptcy” due to President Biden’s debt ceiling deal with Speaker Kevin McCarthy. The event at Eternity Church marked the first stop on a three-state, 12-city tour, which will also take him to the first two primary states, New Hampshire and South Carolina. DeSantis presented himself as a competent, conservative leader who can deliver results, pointing to Florida’s record of accomplishment. He also spoke about social issues such as abortion and criticized McCarthy’s deal with Biden. The event was a traditional stump speech for DeSantis, after his glitchy 2024 campaign launch on Twitter Spaces last week. Despite trailing Trump in national polls, DeSantis has received significant support in Iowa. The Trump campaign has also dismissed him as a “creature of the swamp” with support from the “establishment.”