Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is making waves in the lead-up to the 2024 Iowa Caucuses, a crucial event that marks the first votes for potential presidential candidates. With just 10 days left before the caucuses, DeSantis is putting in the effort to secure the GOP nomination and emerge as a strong contender for the presidency. In a recent interview with the FOX News Rundown podcast, DeSantis discussed his campaign, his opponents, and the challenges he faces.
Iowa holds a special place in the primary contest calendar, ensuring that the interests of the state, particularly in agriculture, are communicated to presidential contenders. Candidates often spend significant amounts of time, money, and effort on old-fashioned campaigning in Iowa, attending breakfasts in diners and shaking hands at county fairs. DeSantis recognizes the importance of this grassroots approach, stating, “I think the candidates who spend all the money on TV but aren’t actually down on the ground visiting folks tend to under-perform.”
While both major parties historically participate in the Iowa Caucuses, this time only Republicans will be observing the ritual. Democrats have chosen to hold their first nominating contest in South Carolina, where the party’s active voters are believed to be more supportive of President Biden. This decision sets the stage for a fierce competition among Republican candidates in Iowa, with DeSantis taking center stage.
DeSantis has been actively campaigning in Iowa, visiting all 99 counties and securing endorsements from popular Republican Governor Kim Reynolds and conservative activist Bob Vander Plaats. However, his relationship with former President Trump, once seen as a close ally, has soured. Trump, who is also seeking the GOP nomination, has refused to take questions from Iowa voters and declined to participate in the upcoming debate. DeSantis believes this will be Trump’s weakness, stating, “He has not been willing to take questions from Iowa voters. He refused to participate in the debate that we’re doing on January 10th. He, of course, has not participated in any debate thus far.”
Despite Trump’s absence from the debate stage, the attacks against DeSantis have been relentless. Trump himself has resorted to name-calling and mockery, while fellow candidate Nikki Haley has launched advertising campaigns against DeSantis. SuperPACs have also spent large sums of money on messaging against him. DeSantis sees this as a testament to his strength as a candidate, stating, “I’ve had $40 million spent attacking me. That’s more than all the other Republicans have had spent against them combined. That’s more than has been spent against Donald Trump and Joe Biden combined in the 2024 cycle.”
DeSantis has not held back either, engaging in a war of words with Haley. He called her a “phony” during a televised debate and criticized her suggestion that New Hampshire’s primary would “correct” the way Iowans voted in their caucus. DeSantis demands an explanation for Haley’s remark, stating, “What does Iowa need to be corrected for? Are you trying to say Iowans, somehow, their voice doesn’t matter and it needs to be corrected? So, it was very disrespectful.”
DeSantis also highlights the importance of other state contests, such as the Nevada caucus, where convention delegates are up for grabs. He notes that Haley is not even competing in the Nevada caucus, which could impact her chances in the overall nomination race.
In terms of polling, DeSantis remains skeptical of their accuracy and potential bias. He points out that many polls were wrong about his re-election in 2022, where he achieved a substantial victory over a Democratic nominee in a traditionally blue state. DeSantis believes that his campaign’s ability to identify committed voters played a crucial role in his success and questions the credibility of published polls.
As the Iowa Caucuses draw near, DeSantis is determined to solidify his position as a top contender for the GOP nomination. He will participate in a televised town hall event on January 9th, where he will have another opportunity to connect with voters and showcase his leadership abilities.
In conclusion, Governor Ron DeSantis’ campaign in Iowa is gaining momentum as he navigates through a crowded field of Republican candidates. With endorsements from key figures in the state and a strong grassroots approach, DeSantis is positioning himself as a formidable opponent. However, he faces challenges from both his rivals and the reliability of polling data. As the Iowa Caucuses approach, all eyes are on DeSantis and his quest for the GOP nomination.
