New DeSantis Ad Spins Off Iconic 1970s Speech: “So God Made a Fighter”

TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA — The DeSantis campaign’s latest ad recalls an iconic American speech to drive home the image of Florida’s governor as a fighter. First Lady Casey DeSantis first tweeted out the ad on Tuesday morning, adding the caption: “I love you, Ron. On behalf of millions of people, never stop fighting for freedom.”

The ad is a spinoff of legendary radio broadcaster Paul Harvey’s speech “So God Made a Farmer,” delivered at the 1978 Future Farmers of America convention. In the speech, Harvey employs Biblical rhetoric from the creation narrative through the refrain “So God Made a Farmer.”

“And on the 8th day, God looked down on his planned paradise and said, ‘I need a caretaker,’” Harvey’s speech began. “So, God made a farmer.”

The new ad begins similarly, stating, “And on the 8th day, God looked down on his planned paradise and said, ‘I need a protector.’ So, God made a fighter.”

Dynamic black and white images from memorable moments during DeSantis’ first term flash upon the screen as dramatic music plays in the background. The voice of the ad's narrator sounds very similar to Harvey’s voice.

DEFINING MOMENTS

The narrator’s words make several implicit references to defining moments from the past four years, such as the governor’s willingness to reopen the state in 2020 despite widespread criticism from state and national press.

“God said, ‘I need someone to be strong, advocate truth in the midst of hysteria,” the narrator says. “Someone who challenges conventional wisdom and isn’t afraid to defend what he knows to be right and just. So, God made a fighter.’”

Again, the ad speaks to reinforce how DeSantis’ COVID policies benefitted millions of Floridians across the Sunshine State.

“God said, ‘I need somebody who will take the arrows, stand firm in the wake of unrelenting attacks, look a mother in the eyes and tell her that her child will be in school,” the narrator says. “She can keep her job, go to church, eat dinner with friends and hold the hand of an aging parent taking their breath for the last time.’ So, God made a fighter.”

“A FAMILY MAN”

Finally, the ad closes by driving home DeSantis as a husband and father, inspiring his children as their primary role model.

“God said ‘I need a family man. A man who would laugh, and then sigh, and then reply with smiling eyes when his daughter said she wants to spend her life doing what dad does,’ the narrator says. “So, God made a fighter.”