Florida Governor DeSantis began campaigning in Iowa, attacking his opponent Donald Trump for being "out of touch with reality" and adhering to conservative principles.
"Unfortunately, he has strayed from conservative principles on issues such as immigration, the Covid-19 response, and federal spending," Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said on May 30 at a campaign event in Iowa, referring to former U.S. President Donald Trump.
This was DeSantis' first campaign event after announcing his candidacy, becoming a leading Republican challenger to Trump. Prior to the campaign, DeSantis had largely avoided attacking Trump, who was considered the leading Republican candidate.
Former President Trump also recently criticized DeSantis's handling of Covid-19, when the Florida governor rejected federal regulations on mask-wearing and vaccines.
DeSantis described Trump's criticisms as "out of touch with reality" and said Republican voters would respond by turning to support him. He said there are tasks that "really require two presidential terms to accomplish," whereas if Trump were re-elected, "he could only hold power for one more term."
"Ron DeSantis is not the kind of person who can truly challenge Joe Biden and make America great again," Steven Cheung, a spokesperson for Trump's campaign, responded to DeSantis's comments.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis at a campaign event in Clive, Iowa, on May 30. Photo: AFP
DeSantis, 44, is beginning his campaign journey after announcing his entry into the White House race on May 24th. Iowa is crucial for DeSantis because the state is one of the earliest Republican primary voting areas in February 2024, and has a significant number of voters who disagree with Trump.
After two days in Iowa, DeSantis will travel to New Hampshire and South Carolina. Trump, 76, is expected to arrive in Iowa on May 31st, the same day DeSantis arrives in New Hampshire. Trump lost to Senator Ted Cruz in the 2016 Republican primary in Iowa.
Todd Jacklin, a voter in Johnston, Iowa, said he wasn't entirely convinced about the Florida governor after attending the event. "I'll keep my options open until February," said Jacklin, 62.
Besides Trump and DeSantis, several other Republicans have also announced their candidacies, including former US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley, former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson, businessman Vivek Ramaswamy, broadcaster Larry Elder, and Senator Tim Scott, 57.
A Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted from May 9-15 showed Trump enjoying 49% support among Republicans. DeSantis was in second place with 19%. Following them were former Vice President Mike Pence, who has not yet announced his candidacy, and Hillary Clinton, with 5% and 4% respectively.
The 2024 US presidential candidates from the Republican and Democratic parties. Graphic: WP
By Như Tâm (According to Reuters, The Hill )
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