Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) drew a sharp contrast between himself and former President Donald Trump on avoiding fights with other Republicans, stressing that President Joe Biden is his true foe.
“Look, I have the responsibility to govern a state and I’ve got to focus on delivering results; I’ve also got to protect the people against Biden’s policies and so when I’m getting in fights, I’m fighting Biden,” DeSantis told the Washington Examiner in an exclusive interview.
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Over recent months, DeSantis has shown a propensity for avoiding back-and-forths with prominent Republicans, unlike Trump.
Leading up to midterm elections, Trump appeared to be chomping at the bit to begin targeting DeSantis, widely regarded as his top potential rival to become the GOP standard bearer in 2024. Before election night, Trump blurted out an insult at a rally — "Ron De-sanctimonious," beta-testing his line of attack.
DeSantis quickly shrugged off the broadside, a pattern in would follow in the successive months amid Trump's sporadic diatribes against him. Whenever asked about Trump's insults, DeSantis usually sidesteps a potential tit-for-tat with Trump, who is a notorious rhetorical brawler, by pivoting to his record as governor.
“I want other Republicans to do well. I don’t want any Republican to do poorly, so I’m not in a situation where taking pot shots against other Republicans is something that I think is beneficial," DeSantis added.
His remarks echo that of former President Ronald Reagan, whose so-called 11th Commandment implored fellow GOP members not to "speak ill of another Republican." It also sets the stage for a potential political showdown with Biden, who is weighing a re-election bid.
Against the backdrop of chatter about his presidential aspirations, DeSantis has eschewed and even scoffed at questions about his 2024 intentions, though he is reportedly eyeing a possible summertime campaign launch.
In the meantime, DeSantis has been laser-focused on eking out policy wins in the Sunshine State, including a recent push to ramp up the migrant flight program, initiatives to root out "woke" influences in academia, and to purge "environmental, social, and corporate governance" from state and local government investment funds, among others.
“I think get it done, keep your eye on the ball, and just keep delivering results and fighting back against the Biden administration,” DeSantis said.
DeSantis is currently polling second behind Trump in a hypothetical 2024 race, according to the latest RealClearPolitics polling aggregate.
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