DeSantis dings Biden and hails New Hampshire as ‘inspiration’ for Florida
Ryan King
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MANCHESTER, New Hampshire — Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) briefly previewed his 2024 line of attack against President Joe Biden during his keynote at the New Hampshire GOP’s largest annual fundraising gala.
“When you print trillions of dollars, when you spend and borrow trillions of dollars, of course you are going to have inflation,” DeSantis declared. “You want to end inflation, vote Joe Biden out of office.”
DESANTIS TO HEADLINE ‘RECORD-BREAKING’ FUNDRAISER IN NEW HAMPSHIRE DEBUT
Attendees gave DeSantis a warm reception during his keynote at the 2023 Amos Tuck Dinner on Friday, though he was briefly interrupted by protesters who shouted, “Jews against DeSantis.” They came close to him before being booted.
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Echoing his playbook for similar out-of-state appearances, DeSantis touted his achievements in Florida, but he also commended the Granite State for its conservative policies.
“I must admit we draw inspiration from the people here in New Hampshire,” DeSantis said. “More than any other state, you don’t mince words when it comes to your stance regarding liberty. You can say it very clearly, ‘Live free or die.'”
“As a country, we are engaged in a battle to preserve the cause of liberty,” DeSantis also warned.
The speech marked one of his first public ventures into the Granite State, the first GOP primary and the second contest overall. It was delivered at the Armory in the DoubleTree by Hilton Manchester, the largest New Hampshire city.
Perhaps the greatest applause during his wide-ranging, roughly 40-minute speech came when he raised concerns about liberal indoctrination in schools.
“My wife and I are very concerned about what goes on in the school system,” DeSantis said. “Just let them be kids, not having somebody’s agenda shoved down their throat.”
Excitement over DeSantis’s keynote drove a fundraising boon of over $380,000 as of Friday, state GOP Chairman Chris Ager proclaimed at the event, dubbing the haul as the “largest ever” for the New Hampshire GOP.
Over 500 people sat for his speech, including local leaders and political titans such as Republican state House Majority Leader Jason Osborne and former Massachusetts GOP Sen. Scott Brown. A small hodgepodge of demonstrators briefly flashed MAGA and progressive signs outside the complex before his address.
As DeSantis moves toward a likely 2024 primary battle, he has been swinging through key states such as Iowa, Michigan, and Ohio, touting his “Florida blueprint” for the nation despite lacking a campaign. Simultaneously, he has been scrambling to eke out policy victories to bolster his resume.
On Thursday night, DeSantis signed legislation to prohibit abortion after the “unborn child has a detectible heartbeat,” typically around six weeks of gestation, with carveouts for rape, incest, and human trafficking victims. That policy is in limbo amid pending litigation over Florida’s preexisting 15-week ban.
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Unlike past marquee anti-abortion legislation he’s signed, DeSantis did not have a major press event to accompany the signing ceremony. Progressives have hammered Republicans on abortion, sensing a vulnerability.
Abortion went unmentioned in his speech. New Hampshire is one of the least religious states in the country, per some surveys.
Several other declared and rumored 2024 GOP aspirants have already been barnstorming the state. His chief foe, former President Donald Trump, has been widening his lead over the field as of late, boosted by his indictment.
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Earlier in the day, DeSantis delivered a convocation speech at Liberty University and prerecorded remarks at the National Rifle Association’s annual convention. He is set to meet with lawmakers in Washington, D.C., next Tuesday. Then he will make his first public appearance of the year in Spartanburg, South Carolina, next Wednesday.
One obstacle of a DeSantis campaign is Florida’s “resign to run” law, but many observers believe the policy will be adjusted by the state legislature over the coming weeks. DeSantis is expected to announce his 2024 intentions after the legislature wraps up its session in May.