DeSantis Established Conservative Bona Fides in 2012

Now that Governor Ron DeSantis (R-FL) will officially announce his 2024 Presidential campaign on Twitter Spaces, it is likely he will now directly address the attacks by former President Donald Trump about being an "establishment," "globalist," "RINO" candidate.

How well do those accusations hold up?

As he prepares to announce his 2024 presidential run, few would deny Gov. DeSantis' conservative bona fides are what allowed him to get as far as he has. 

Back in early March 2012, in his first video interview with The Floridian's Javier Manjarres, DeSantis spoke in favor of pay cuts, pension removal, and term limits for members of Congress.

In looking back at a pre-congressional DeSantis to the now-presidential candidate, Gov. Ron DeSantis, this video interview reveals that he has stuck to his campaign promises and ideological leanings.

DeSantis kept all of the campaign promises he made in the interview.

Manjarres: Come next year, if you're voted into Congress, what are you going to do about the bonuses that members of Congress get? Congressman Bill Posey (R-FL), every year, religiously writes a check back to the House Budget Office, sending back his bonus pay. What do you think? Would you do the same?

DeSantis: Absolutely, no, I would do that. I would support a pay cut for members of Congress simply because we've seen the debt go up so much in the past few years. Why shouldn't members of Congress be judged on their performance? And I think someone like Harry Reid (D-NV) who has not passed a budget out of the Senate in over 1000 days; if they're not performing that core function, then I think you should see their pay reduce as a result of that. And I also don't think that people like me who could go up there should be able to get a pension. A pension for politicians; someone like Barney Frank (D-MA); he's going to have a much better pension than some combat Marine who's done multiple tours and retires as a Gunnery Sergeant. That just doesn't sit well with me.

Manjarres: Now, term limits. I'm sure you're for term limits.

DeSantis: I'm a supporter of term limits. I'd vote for pretty much whatever amendment could pass. I think three or four terms in the House is good. Two terms in the Senate, I think, is probably the max; I wouldn't go higher than that. But if I had to go five terms in the House to get it passed, I would do that. But I definitely think we need to limit Congressional terms.

DeSantis's presidential run against former President Donald Trump will be the biggest political test he will endure.

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