Staff Reports
Governor Ron DeSantis of Florida, a rising star in conservative politics, is not one to shy away from a fight. When Speaker Kevin McCarthy made a dismissive comment about DeSantis’s leadership abilities, the governor wasted no time in clapping back. During a press conference, DeSantis reminded everyone that McCarthy owed his position as Speaker to none other than Donald Trump, who had supported his bid for the role. DeSantis went on to criticize the spending bills that McCarthy had voted for, pointing out that they had added a whopping $7.8 trillion to the national debt. In contrast, Florida has run budget surpluses and paid down a significant portion of its debt under DeSantis’s leadership.
DeSantis didn’t stop there. He boasted about Florida’s number one rated economy and the state’s investment in school choice and tax cuts. He made it clear that he was not interested in being part of the D.C. establishment and wore their disapproval as a badge of honor. The governor also highlighted the importance of Florida’s support in the 2022 midterm elections, emphasizing that the state played a crucial role in Republicans gaining the majority in the House. However, DeSantis expressed disappointment at how Republicans had failed to deliver on their promises once in power.
Kevin McCarthy says I’m a little different from Donald Trump. I agree.
In Florida, we run budget surpluses. We’ve paid down our debt. I’ve kept every one of my promises.
Meanwhile, McCarthy and Trump worked together to add $7 trillion — more debt than our country racked up in… pic.twitter.com/TqZih4t8U8
— Ron DeSantis (@RonDeSantis) September 18, 2023
Not only has DeSantis taken on McCarthy, but he has also inserted himself into the spending fight on Capitol Hill. In a phone call with conservative representatives Chip Roy, Thomas Massie, and Bob Good, DeSantis pledged his support and encouraged them to keep fighting for their hard-right policy demands. He believes that both parties are to blame for reckless spending and wants congressional Republicans to hold the line in the current spending standoff.
DeSantis’s willingness to challenge both political opponents and members of his own party demonstrates his strong conservative principles and his dedication to fighting for the people of Florida. He is unafraid to take on the establishment and demand results. As he continues to gain national attention, it will be interesting to see how his no-nonsense approach to governance resonates with voters.
