'You ain't seen nothing yet': Florida's DeSantis

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
7 Mar 22:19

The Florida Governor has devoted much of his agenda since his reelection last November to bashing Democrats.

Republican Florida Governor Ron DeSantis speaks at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California, on March 5, 2023. (AP)

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis positioned himself Tuesday as the leading Republican alternative to White House candidate Donald Trump.

The 44-year-old DeSantis has devoted much of his agenda since his reelection last November to bashing Democrats over what he sees as an intimidating form of performative liberalism that he dismisses as "wokeness".

The governor's closely-watched "State of the State" address kicked off a 60-day legislative program aiming to expand gun rights, curb diversity efforts at state-run universities, and end what he calls the "medical authoritarianism" of Covid-19 vaccine mandates.

"Now is not the time to rest on our laurels. We have the opportunity and indeed the responsibility to swing for the fences so that we can ensure Florida remains number one," DeSantis said at the address in the state capital, Tallahassee.

"Don't worry about the chattering class, ignore all the background noise, keep the compass set to true north," he added. "We will hold the line, we won't back down. And I can promise you this: You ain't seen nothing yet."

Under DeSantis, state lawmakers are looking at extending a controversial ban on classroom discussion of sexuality and gender identity -- currently in effect through third grade -- to eighth-grade children.

Ahead of DeSantis' speech, a Florida lawmaker filed a bill that would lower the legal abortion threshold from 15 weeks to six.

Republicans control both chambers of congress in Tallahassee, therefore, little significant opposition is expected to any of the program's bills.

Florida was doing great before DeSantis

Hours before the "State of the State" address, Trump took to his Truth Social platform and criticized DeSantis, reprising one of his many nicknames for his rival.

"FLORIDA WAS DOING GREAT FOR MANY YEARS, LONG BEFORE RON DESANCTUS GOT THERE," the former US President considered.

DeSantis has already signed into law measures stripping Walt Disney World of its self-governing status in a move widely seen as revenge for the entertainment giant's criticism of Florida's effort to restrict the teaching of sexuality and gender ideology.

"We defied the experts, we bucked the elites," the Florida Governor said. "We did it our way, the Florida way, and the result is that we are the number one destination for our fellow Americans who are looking for a better life."

At a Sunday event in Democratic-led California, DeSantis bragged about a "great American exodus" from liberal to conservative states.

He will travel this week to Iowa, the host of 2024's first presidential nominating contest.

Trump has hinted at a potential third-party campaign if he loses the nomination, although some states prevent candidates from running as independents if they've already appeared under a party's banner.