OPINION: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author's opinion.
In an upcoming memoir that will be released this week, Florida GOP Gov. Ron DeSantis shows his admiration for former President Donald Trump, despite the fact that the Sunshine State Republican has been subjected to criticism from the former president, who likely views him as a potential rival in the 2024 GOP primary.
Excerpts from “The Courage to Be Free: Florida’s Blueprint for America’s Revival” have been released by The Guardian ahead of its Tuesday release. In the book, DeSantis continues his battle against Critical Race Theory, and the elite class, and paints prominent Republicans such as George W. Bush and Paul Ryan as part of the so-called establishment that he believes has caused issues for the party. DeSantis also highlights the need for conservative policies and principles to be at the forefront of American politics, the Daily Wire reported, citing the excerpt.
“Some DC commentators have opined that Donald Trump’s nomination represented a hostile takeover of the Republican Party. But this analysis gets it exactly backward,” DeSantis wrote. “Since Ronald Reagan flew back to California on January 20, 1989, the GOP grassroots had been longing for someone who rejected the old-guard way of doing business and who could speak to their concerns and aspirations. Trump supported policies that appealed to the base in a way that GOP leaders in the DC swamp had been either incapable of doing or unwilling to do.”
In his book, DeSantis acknowledges that Trump’s celebrity status as a developer and television star likely contributed to his success in the 2016 election, helping him to win against Hillary Clinton.
The popular governor also places blame on the media and top Democrats for using the Russia collusion conspiracy theory in an attempt to “undermine” Trump’s presidency. DeSantis goes on to stress the importance of party unity and support for the eventual GOP nominee, no matter who it may be.
DeSantis, who won re-election in Florida last year by a historic 19.4-point margin, has credited the former president with helping him win his initial election in 2018. DeSantis acknowledged that Trump’s endorsement was a major factor in his victory, as it “significantly increased” his name recognition and boosted his overall standing in the race.
“I knew that a Trump endorsement would provide me with the exposure to GOP primary voters across the State of Florida, and I was confident that many would see me as a good candidate once they learned about my record,” DeSantis wrote. “I had developed a good relationship with the president largely because I supported his initiatives in Congress and opposed the Russia collusion conspiracy theory.”
Earlier this month, DeSantis — who has not declared for the GOP nomination — dropped the strongest hint yet that he is contemplating a run.
In Jacksonville to discuss tort reform, the popular GOP governor was asked by a reporter about former UN Ambassador and South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley’s official entry into the race earlier in the day and, specifically, whether DeSantis would be the next to declare.
“Nikki Haley announced her presidential run today, do you plan on following suit?” the reporter asked.
“Hahaha! Wouldn’t you like to know,” DeSantis responded with a laugh.
BREAKING: DeSantis asked if he's running for president
"Nikki Haley announced her presidential run today, do you plan on following suit?"
"Hahaha! Wouldn't you like to know!" pic.twitter.com/skYs9wi3DL
— Florida’s Voice (@FLVoiceNews) February 14, 2023
Meanwhile, former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, who was the late John McCain’s presidential running mate in 2008, has encouraged DeSantis to stand down in 2024 and throw his support behind Trump, who was the first to declare officially for the party’s nomination.
During an interview on Newsmax with host Eric Bolling, Palin spoke about rumors that DeSantis could make a run for the White House in 2024, which would pit him against Trump in the Republican primary. Trump announced in November that he was running for president.
“Do you think DeSantis jumps in?” Bolling asked Palin.
“DeSantis doesn’t need to,” Palin replied. “I envision him as our president someday, but not right now. Everybody I speak with in Florida, they all love him. And he does set the tone for, I’d say every other governor in the nation. I think he’s our best governor and he should stay governor for a bit longer. He’s young. You know he has decades ahead of him where he can be our president.”
“Trump needs to choose somebody who, like him, has nothing to lose. What more can they do to that person personally or verbal attacks or anything else on the family? That person has been through the wringer, so they know what they’re getting into. And that person then can just focus on doing what’s right for the people,” Palin said.
