‘I have only begun to fight’: Here are 4 takeaways from DeSantis’ victory speech
Against the backdrop of a tall American flag, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis was welcomed Tuesday by a crowd of cheering supporters who celebrated his reelection victory in Tampa.
“USA! USA,” some repeated. “Two more years! Two more years!,” others chanted.
During DeSantis’ eight-minute-plus speech, here are four things he said — including when he called Florida a “promised land.”
Freedom
DeSantis said Florida is a beacon of freedom — a major theme of his campaign — to not only the United States but also the world.
“We saw freedom and our very way of life in some many other jurisdictions in this country wither on the vine, Florida held the line,” he said.
“Florida was a refuge of sanity when the world went mad,” DeSantis said. “We stood as a citadel of freedom for people across this county and indeed across the world.”
New supporters
DeSantis said he won, in part, thanks to a great political campaign that resulted in people voting for him for the first time.
“We are still tallying the votes, but it is clearly apparent that (in) this election, we would have garnered a significant number of votes from people who may have not voted for me four years ago,” DeSantis said. “I am honored to have earned your trust and your support.”
Promised land
DeSantis said people from other states governed by leftist leaders have found refuge in Florida.
“The woke agenda has caused millions of Americans to leave these jurisdictions for greener pastures,” DeSantis said. “Now this great exodus of Americans, for those folks, Florida, for so many of them, has served as the promised land.”
DeSantis for president?
DeSantis, who in a recent debate didn’t say whether he would leave halfway through his second term to run for president, said Tuesday night that he was proud of the achievements accomplished and that he looked forward to the road ahead.
“I have fought the good fight,” DeSantis said. “I have finished the race in this first term, and I have kept the faith!”
He continued: “We have accomplished more than anybody thought possible four years ago, but we’ve got so much more to do — and [echoing John Paul Jones’ famous quote] I have only begun to fight.”
This story was originally published November 8, 2022 at 11:57 PM.
