GOP presidential candidate DeSantis pledges support for Israel in Rock Hill SC speech
Ron DeSantis brought his campaign back to South Carolina’s York County Thursday, speaking at two events in Rock Hill as the candidate seeks to gain ground in the Republican race for president.
DeSantis, 45, a military veteran and the governor of Florida, spoke first in the late afternoon at Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2889 in Rock Hill. The post on Main Street west of downtown was packed with people eager to hear if DeSantis shares the values they do.
The conflict in Israel
The past week’s violence in Israel was the first topic Thursday. DeSantis said President Joe Biden “slept” through the recent violence in Israel and the Middle East where thousands have been killed and hostages have been taken.
“He’s floundering,” DeSantis said of Biden, who was scheduled to address the nation at 7 p.m. ET Thursday about his trip to Israel earlier this week.
DeSantis said that the Biden administration is not taking a strong enough stance against Iran, which he said has funded Hamas, which attacked Israel on Oct. 7.
DeSantis said he supports Israel and its ability to defend itself.
“Clearly the United States stands with Israel and they have the right to defend themselves against Hamas,” DeSantis said.
Desantis said if he is president Hamas will get no money and he will accept no refugees from the Gaza Strip.
“Not one red cent to Hamas,” DeSantis said to applause from the crowd.
DeSantis said in response to a question from the audience he is not in favor of American military involvement there. He said Israel has a strong military and America will continue to support Israel and its self-defense.
DeSantis in South Carolina as first Southern primary approaches
DeSantis is one of several candidates seeking the Republican nomination in the 2024 presidential election. Others include former President Donald Trump, former Vice-President Mike Pence, former S.C. Gov. Nikki Haley, Vivek Ramswamy, and current South Carolina U.S. Sen. Tim Scott.
DeSantis is generally polling behind only Trump nationally, polls show.
South Carolina’s 2024 primary on Feb. 24 will be the first in the South. The outcome of South Carolina’s primary generally is important in determining which candidate emerges as the party’s presidential nominee.
Border security
DeSantis said the American southern border with Mexico remains porous and open.
“It’s a massive security risk for the American people,” DeSantis said.
Drugs, including fentanyl, are coming into this country through the southern border, he said.
Republicans haven’t followed through with border security, either, he said.
“It’s time we do something about it,” DeSantis said.
DeSantis again slams progressive policies
DeSantis, as he did when he spoke in July in Tega Cay in York County, received applause from the audience as he slammed COVID-19 restrictions, “woke” ideology, and other issues that conservatives care about.
The importance of leadership
DeSantis spoke plainly about the need for stronger leadership in the country and abroad, including in Israel: “A leader has to step up and lead.... a leader is judged by results.”
He said government needs to protect freedom and make the country stronger. But the current government in Washington DC is not stopping crime in cities, protecting parents rights or addressing concerns over economic prosperity and opportunity.
“Being here with so many veterans...people have always been willing to step up and do what needed to be done to defend freedom,” DeSantis said. “I will not let you down.”
Will veterans support DeSantis?
Decorated veterans of the Vietnam and Middle East and Afghanistan conflicts who support DeSantis’ campaign spoke early at the event, telling the attendees that DeSantis has the character to lead the country in dangerous times.
DeSantis chose to serve during the war era in Iraq and Afghanistan, which gives him experience and insight into leading, veterans who spoke in his support said.
In conservative South Carolina, the state’s 400,000-plus military veterans are likely crucial to any candidate’s hopes to carry the state in February’s Republican primary.
Later Thursday: Winthrop with Asa Hutchinson
DeSantis and another Republican candidate, former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, spoke later Thursday night at a forum at Winthrop University in Rock Hill.
That Winthrop event was sponsored by the South Carolina and North Carolina Federations of Republican Women. NewsNation is expected to show the Winthrop event on The Hill news site thehill.com, The Hill said in a story on its website.
