DeSantis Impresses in Iowa, Showing Up an Absent Trump

Republican Governor Ron DeSantis of Florida made an impressive showing at the Republican Party of Iowa’s annual Lincoln Dinner on Saturday, wooing the crowd with his energetic speech. DeSantis was in Iowa as part of his effort to position himself as the likely successor to former President Donald Trump ahead of the 2024 presidential election.

DeSantis, who recently signed one of the most restrictive anti-abortion bills in the country, used his speech to lambaste President Joe Biden’s administration on immigration policy, crime and taxes. He also emphasized his own accomplishments as governor, including signing a law that threatened to fine social media companies if they banned politicians and his state’s handling of the Covid-19 pandemic.

While many in the audience expressed disappointment that Trump was a no-show at the event, others were impressed with DeSantis’ performance and saw him as a promising potential presidential candidate. DeSantis’ appearance comes amid persistent speculation about whether Trump will run for president again in 2024, with some Republicans seeing DeSantis as a more viable candidate if Trump decides not to run.

One of the highlights of DeSantis’ speech was his criticism of the Biden administration’s handling of immigration policy. DeSantis accused the president of having an “open borders philosophy” and criticized him for reversing many of Trump’s policies designed to stem illegal immigration. The Florida governor also mentioned his state’s own efforts to curb illegal immigration, which he said had resulted in a significant decline in crimes committed by undocumented immigrants.

DeSantis also touched on the issue of crime, an area where Republicans have sought to score points against Democrats in recent months. He blamed the uptick in crime in many cities on the “defund the police” movement and accused Democrats of being soft on crime. DeSantis touted his own record on crime in Florida, boasting that his state had seen a significant drop in violent crime over the past year.

On taxes, DeSantis took aim at Biden’s proposed tax hikes, arguing that they would hurt small businesses and ordinary Americans. The Florida governor contrasted Biden’s policies with his own record of cutting taxes and regulations in his state, which he claimed had created a more business-friendly environment.

Throughout his speech, DeSantis repeatedly emphasized his commitment to conservative principles and his support for the Republican Party. He also acknowledged that he was not a Washington insider, a fact that he said could work to his advantage if he decides to run for president in 2024.

Overall, DeSantis’ appearance in Iowa was seen as a successful first step in his effort to position himself as a potential presidential candidate for 2024. While it remains to be seen whether Trump will ultimately decide to run again, DeSantis has emerged as one of the leading contenders for the Republican nomination if he decides not to run. DeSantis’ strong performance in Iowa has only added to his growing profile as a rising star in the Republican Party.