In a new interview, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis rejected the concept that anyone is entitled to a turn at running for president.
In an Outkick video published Saturday, conservative commentator and Outkick platforms’ host Tomi Lahren asked DeSantis for a response to supporters of former President Donald Trump, who say they like DeSantis, but think he should wait until his turn comes in 2028.
Trump is currently leading DeSantis in the race for the Republican presidential nomination, but DeSantis’ response was undeterred.
“First of all, in America we don’t have ‘turns’,” DeSantis said. “People can run if they believe they have something to offer the country. I can tell you as somebody that’s worn the country’s uniform, who served in Iraq, who believes in a cause greater than myself, I believe 2024 is make or break.”
Ron DeSantis on why he’s not waiting until 2028:
“I believe 2024 is make or break. I don’t think we have time for excuses… I’ve shown the ability to defeat the Democrats” and actually deliver on promises. pic.twitter.com/mXFBUQF7be
— Never Back Down (@NvrBackDown24) July 8, 2023
“I don’t think we have time for excuses. We’re not going to get a mulligan on this one,” he said, referring to a term in golf in which a golfer gets to take a shot over without penalty.
“I think I’ve shown the ability to defeat the Democrats – yes at the ballot box by winning Florida by a historic margin, but also on issue after issue,” he said.
He then listed his victories over the left.
“We beat ’em on lockdowns. We beat ’em on education. We beat ’em on ESG. We beat ’em on illegal immigrants. We beat ’em on transgender athletes competing with women,” he said.
“On issue after issue, we didn’t just talk the talk, we walked the walk, and so I’ll run. I’ll beat Biden, but even more importantly than that, I will deliver on all these things, because if we don’t actually deliver, then I think we’re going to be in a hole that’s going to be very difficult to dig out from.
“So, I think I’m the guy that can get all of that done and I think I have a responsibility to offer myself and that’s where I’m coming from,” he said.
The most current RealClearPolitics average of polls in Iowa shows Trump in the lead at 47.7 percent support with DeSantis second at 23.7 percent. No other contender was in double digits.
Mamas across the nation and across party lines have finally found a fighter who will restore sanity, common sense, and truth to America. A fighter with a backbone who will relentlessly fight for family values, protect the innocence of children, and defend the rights of parents -… pic.twitter.com/CtUNF7YNI5
— Casey DeSantis (@CaseyDeSantis) July 8, 2023
In analyzing DeSantis’s bid for the nomination, political analyst Craig Agranoff told Newsweek that the governor’s decision was “a bold one.”
“He is facing an uphill battle against Donald Trump, who is still the most popular figure in the Republican Party, even with his recent legal issues. However, DeSantis believes that 2024 is a ‘make or break’ moment for the country, and he is willing to take on the challenge,” he said.
“Whether or not it was a wise choice for DeSantis to run in 2024 is still too early to say. However, one thing is for sure: It is going to be an interesting race,” he said.
Dillard University professor Robert Collins suggested to Newswek that DeSantis is aware that political currents can pass some candidates by, and that Trump could face a barrier to being elected.
“Some candidates feel that they only get one shot, and if they don’t take their shot in time, the moment will pass them by and the attention of the voters will shift elsewhere,” he said.
“DeSantis is young enough to wait and run for president in a future cycle,” he said.
“However, DeSantis is placing a bet that he thinks that eventually a criminal conviction will remove Trump from the race and give DeSantis a clear shot at the nomination. Since no one knows what the long-term future holds, it’s probably as good a short-term bet as he will get.”
This article appeared originally on The Western Journal.
