Following his participation in the fourth GOP presidential primary debate, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis found himself back in more favorable surroundings. Speaking from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, DeSantis shared his optimism about his expanding support base in Iowa, with the state’s caucuses, which initiate the 2024 primary season, only 39 days away.
DeSantis expressed his satisfaction with his recent debate performances, including the one against California Governor Gavin Newsom. He emphasized his conservative stance and leadership qualities, confident that he is the right person to bring transformative change to Washington. His debates, particularly the one with Newsom, have garnered positive reactions, bolstering his support.
With a strong commitment from tens of thousands in Iowa, DeSantis highlighted his robust organization across all 99 counties in the state. He pointed out the uniqueness of caucuses compared to primaries and the dedication of his supporters to this process.
In Iowa, DeSantis has received significant endorsements, including from Governor Kim Reynolds and Bob Vander Plaats, a prominent evangelical leader. These endorsements, along with his campaign’s momentum, have him hopeful about the upcoming weeks.
However, despite this support and momentum, DeSantis still trails behind former President Donald Trump in the RealClearPolitics polling average for Iowa. Trump also leads in national polls. DeSantis, during the debate, questioned the reliability of these polls, suggesting that the actual voting process should be the focus, rather than early polling predictions.
DeSantis emphasized the importance of allowing voters to have their say, expressing concern over the narrative that diminishes the voice of the electorate. He believes that the outcome on caucus night might be surprising to many, challenging the prevailing narrative with the strong support he’s witnessed on the ground.
