Florida Governor Ron DeSantis delivered a scathing critique of California’s policies during his recent visit to the state, aiming for the Golden State’s handling of corporations, education, and crime. DeSantis, who has been touring the country to promote his new book, The Courage to Be Free: Florida’s Blueprint for America’s Revival, stopped at the Ronald Reagan Library in Simi Valley, California, where he addressed a crowd of more than 1,300.
Warm reception for Ron DeSantis at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in California today.pic.twitter.com/ERO4xV5n6z
— Citizen Free Press (@CitizenFreePres) March 6, 2023
Avoiding leaks and refusing to be held captive to polls, DeSantis credited his success to surrounding himself with people who shared his vision for Florida. He praised his team’s surgical precision execution, which enabled him to win re-election in 2022 by a whopping 1.5 million votes against his opponent, Charlie Crist.
Always great to be in Southern California with @OCGOP, especially to share the Florida Blueprint to preserve and protect freedom. pic.twitter.com/GViUTtyASr
— Ron DeSantis (@RonDeSantisFL) March 6, 2023
DeSantis’ remarks were in response to Governor Gavin Newsom’s criticism of Florida’s policies, which he claimed had led to the hemorrhaging of California residents who had migrated to the Sunshine State. Newsom recently came under fire for leaving California for “personal travel” after declaring a state of emergency in the wake of a snowstorm and has been a vocal opponent of DeSantis.
During his speech, DeSantis highlighted his commitment to education and parental rights, stressing that parents in Florida should be able to send their children to school without having an agenda jammed down their throats. He referenced his Parental Rights in Education law, which he signed last year, and made it clear that he would not tolerate teaching second graders that they could choose their gender.
DeSantis also took a swipe at California-based Disney, which he claimed had been treated differently by the Golden State than by Florida. He referenced a law he recently signed that stripped the tax-exempt, self-governing status of the Reedy Creek Improvement District, which encompassed Walt Disney World near Orlando, and lauded it as a significant win in the “war against woke.”
As Florida Governor Ron DeSantis embarks on a nationwide tour promoting his new book, The Courage to Be Free: Florida’s Blueprint for America’s Revival, speculation is mounting that he may announce his candidacy for the presidency. DeSantis is scheduled to visit Iowa, the first-in-the-nation primary contest state, on Friday, where he plans to showcase his vision for America. His tour is considered a strategic move to differentiate himself from his opponents and win over potential voters. With his eye on the White House, DeSantis is determined to capture the hearts and minds of Americans across the country.
