Gov. Ron DeSantis opened the American Conservative Union’s annual CPAC conference in Orlando on Friday by urging delegates to follow the example of the late Rush Limbaugh in fighting for conservative policies.
However, during a stemwinder that drew vigorous applause, he never mentioned Donald Trump, his political mentor, who is scheduled to address the conference over the weekend. DeSantis has yet to acknowledge publicly that Trump lost the election.
“The battles ahead will be made more difficult without the voice of one of our greatest field generals, my friend Rush Limbaugh,” the governor said. He had ordered flags flown at half staff at the state Capitol in memory of the late broadcaster.
“Rush displayed the courage of his convictions time and time again. Rush was one of the first to fight and win against cancel culture. Rush showed that fighting the left requires strength, and that conservatism devoid of backbone is doomed to fail,” he continued.
“Standing for the right things comes at a cost. You will be attacked, you will be smeared, and you may even be cancelled by the major organs of the political left. Anyone can spout conservative rhetoric. We can sit around and have academic debates about conservative policy. And I’m not saying you don’t do any of that. But the question is, when the Klieg lights get hot, when the left comes after you, will you stay strong or will you fold?”
The governor, widely considered a potential presidential candidate in 2024 — presuming Trump doesn’t run again — portrayed his state as a national model on factors including COVID-19, its smooth 2020 election administration, and in staring down Big Tech.
He opened with a dig at states that placed their people and economy “under the yoke of oppressive lockdowns” to prevent transmission of the coronavirus.
“To those of you who aren’t from Florida, welcome to our oasis of freedom,” DeSantis said.
“Florida got it right, and the lock-down states got it wrong.”
He highlighted efforts by legislative Republicans, with his own firm backing, to restrict use of mail-in voting that more Democrats than Republicans used during last year’s elections, and punish social media and other Big Tech companies for allegedly sanctioning conservatives.
“When our Legislature convenes next month, it will pass and I will sign the most ambitious reforms yet proposed for combatting political censorship and deplatforming, for preventing Big Tech from interfering in our elections, and for safeguarding the privacy of your personal data,” the governor said.
“In Florida, we are not going to let the terms of the debate in our country be set by oligarchs in Silicon Valley.”
–Michael Moline, Florida Phoenix
Rick G says
Anyone who holds Rush up as an example has no sense of decency at long last…
Sherry says
All I see in the remarks by DeSantis is just more FEAR and HATE mongering. . . Rush would be so proud!
Steve says
I for one hold him up as a BAD Example. I agree and concur with your comment
Fredrick says
“Florida got it right, and the lock-down states got it wrong.”
“To those of you who aren’t from Florida, welcome to our oasis of freedom,”
“Standing for the right things comes at a cost. You will be attacked, you will be smeared, and you may even be cancelled by the major organs of the political left. Anyone can spout conservative rhetoric. We can sit around and have academic debates about conservative policy. And I’m not saying you don’t do any of that. But the question is, when the Klieg lights get hot, when the left comes after you, will you stay strong or will you fold?”
That does not sound like fear and hate mongering? Though if I read an article on Flagler Live in regards to Covid all I see is fear mongering….
Sad Times says
Well, it looks as if there is another Yale, Harvard guy….Who is filled with stupidity. Filled with caring NOT for the people. Caring ONLY for money and power.
When will voters ever get smart….and vote the stupidity out of office?
I guess we are finding out that many citizens, themselves…are equally as stupid…since they vote for these jerks. Unfortunately, nowadays, the Republican Party is no longer what it once was. Voters have yet to discover this truth.
Mark A says
Rush Limbaugh was a nobody but a radio personality full of hatred and bigotry. Ordering American flag to half mast was an insult. DeSantis needs to go.
metoo says
That piece of crap of a governor should do SOMETHING help the elderly get their vaccine shots instead of these political fund raisers focused on the rich. I’m a registered republican but this guy pisses me off.
James says
Desantis will be president one day! The best Governor ever!
mausborn says
Trolling respectable people by honoring that incendiary radio personality might be fun, but what about the governing of Florida? How is the defense of a functioning voting system going? How are preparations for the next hurricane season coming? Any news on gun laws post school shootings?
I’m assuming they mean the CONFEDERATE flag.
If texas leaves the union, can they take florida with them?
David Schaefer says
In your dreams. DeathSantis and Limbaugh are to peas in a pod both spoiled rotten…….
Steve says
According to your group its Trump 2024. For just losing an Election the Idolized One making a complete and total Fuster Cluck of the largest most transparent secure one ever and 34 GOP seats up for Vote most sane folks are scratching there heads saying these folks are wingnuts. Deshamis is a Trump lapdog who blew the C19 response in Florida. NEXT LOL
Rob says
Rush Limbaugh was a mean spirited, divisive instigator in our culture. It seems like forty something percent of our population suffers from some sort of mass group delusion and he is responsible for advancing it. If guys like Limbaugh and Trump repeat falsehood as truth often enough, too many disgruntled minds believe them.
We desperately need sensible, enlightened leaders unlike DeSantis. Help!