Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, a potential Republican presidential candidate, made a visit to Iowa despite the uncharacteristically cold weather. Speaking from his headquarters in Urbandale, Iowa, DeSantis expressed confidence in his organization's ability to mobilize voters for the caucuses.
DeSantis's political action committee (PAC) has already knocked on over 930,000 doors and recruited nearly 1,700 precinct captains. He believes his supporters will come out in force to support him. Emphasizing the importance of personal connections and grassroots organizing, DeSantis acknowledged that there is potential for voters to change their minds at the caucus sites.
DeSantis is vying for the Republican nomination and believes that he and former President Donald Trump are the only candidates with substantial support among conservative voters. He expects the Iowa caucuses to make this clear. While some voters have mentioned considering former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley, DeSantis urged them to caucus for him, highlighting his strong conservative credentials and track record of success as Florida's governor.
Addressing concerns about his potential performance in the caucuses, DeSantis asserted that his organization has laid the groundwork and is well-prepared. He urged undecided voters to participate, pointing out that the relatively low voter turnout in Iowa provides an opportunity for individual votes to carry significant weight.
DeSantis also discussed his relationship with Donald Trump. While he acknowledged supporting Trump's policies during Trump's presidency, DeSantis criticized Trump's attacks on supportive fellow Republican politicians, such as Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds. DeSantis emphasized a difference in approach, noting that he wants the party to succeed as a whole, regardless of endorsements.
Following the Iowa caucuses, DeSantis plans to visit both South Carolina and New Hampshire, debunking earlier reports that he was skipping New Hampshire. DeSantis sees South Carolina as a favorable electorate due to his strong support from state legislators. He believes South Carolina is a crucial state where candidates must perform well.
Throughout his campaign, DeSantis has had his three young children accompanying him on the trail. While they have enjoyed some experiences, such as seeing snow for the first time and visiting farms and landmarks, DeSantis highlighted the advantage of their young age, as they are shielded from much of the political noise and negativity that comes with a presidential campaign.
As DeSantis continues his campaign in Iowa and beyond, he remains optimistic about his chances and the potential to bring his conservative platform to the forefront of the Republican nomination race.
