CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA — During his final stop on Wednesday in the Hawkeye State, Ron DeSantis gave voters a glimpse of what he might be looking for in an attorney general if he becomes president of the United States.
“I want every time there’s a [hit] piece on you – for it to be posted on your wall... because if they’re not doing that, then that means you’re not doing the job. If they like you in Washington, that means you’re not doing the job. If they don’t fear what you’re doing, that means you’re not making a difference.”
HOT-BUTTON ISSUES
Speaking at length about his accomplishments as governor of Florida, DeSantis touched on hot-button issues such as the left’s agenda to expose children to LGBTQ propaganda, Florida lawmakers’ mission to strengthen parental rights and gender ideology.
Those conservative policies align with what Iowa has passed under the leadership of governor Kim Reynolds. DeSantis told the crowd that Iowa is following his lead and Reynolds is becoming “the Florida of the North.”
“If we’re going to seriously defeat the wayward federal bureaucracy, we need a fighting president who surrounds himself with equally strong fighters. No excuses, no fear of the corporate media,” DeSantis’ campaign spokesman Bryan Griffin tweeted.
If we're going to seriously defeat the wayward federal bureaucracy, we need a fighting president who surrounds himself with equally strong fighters. No excuses, no fear of the corporate media.
— Bryan Griffin (@BryanDGriffin) June 1, 2023
Today in Iowa, @RonDeSantis previewed a directive for his future Attorney General: pic.twitter.com/NeeftEHvm6
SUBSTANTIVE POLICYMAKING
“What he [DeSantis] and his campaign argue is that there’s more substance to what he’s done than maybe perhaps others in the field,” Dr. Chris Larimer, Political Analyst and Professor of Political Science at the University of Northern Iowa told KWWL.
“It’s trying to present a campaign and present and really shape the narrative of their campaign about policymaking, and about electability, and how that contrasts with the former president,” Dr. Larimer added.
DeSantis did not mention Trump by name in his speech on Wednesday evening in Cedar Rapids but took an indirect shot at him.
“There is no substitute for victory, and we need to dispense with the culture of losing that has infected the Republican Party,” DeSantis said. “Outside of Iowa, Florida and a handful of spots, we’ve had three disappointing election cycles in a row, and that’s not going to cut it this time.”
IOWA VOTER RESPONSE
Penny Burnett of Mt. Vernon told KWWL that she is impressed by DeSantis and what he has done in Florida. She came to see DeSantis speak because she was curious about how he would come across in person.
“I think a little less drama is good. I think he has good ideas,” Burnett told the outlet. “He’s followed through with what he said he would do in Florida, and Florida seems like it’s doing pretty well compared with the rest of the nation.”
Burnett said she voted for Former President Trump twice but is unsure who she will vote for in 2024. She said she is also open to hearing from other candidates like DeSantis, who have similar policies as Trump but without baggage.
Rick Walters, who splits his time between Iowa and Florida, also told KWWL that he voted for Trump but is considering supporting a younger candidate in 2024. Walters said he’s not a fan of the attacks and mudslinging.
“I hope this whole election, all the candidates keep the primary and caucus out of the mud and just go to the issues,” Walters told the outlet. “Focus on the president and administration instead of tearing each other down and talk about what we are going to do and the different ideas with the candidates instead of tearing each other down.”
DeSantis returns to the Hawkeye State on Saturday to join Senator Joni Ernst’s annual Roast and Ride fundraiser at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines.
South Carolina Senator Tim Scott, Former Vice President Mike Pence, Former South Carolina Governor and United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley, businessman Perry Johnson, entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy and conservative talk radio host Larry Elder will also attend the Iowa fundraiser.
