Governor Ron DeSantis promised wins for the Republican party and the American people at the third Republican presidential debate hosted by NBC News in Miami.
“I'm sick of Republicans losing. In Florida, I showed how it's done," said DeSantis at the high point of the debate. “This country is in trouble, and the elites that have put us here, they don't care about you. They don't care that you're having to grapple with higher grocery prices or have higher gas prices. They don't care that your family is less secure, because of the open border that's allowed drugs and even terrorists to come into this country. Well, I care. I am not going to sit idly by and let this country continue its downward spiral. We need leadership, and we need it now. I'll take the hits. I'll take the arrows I'll take the slings. Because ultimately, it's not about me. It's about you. I will fight for you. I will make sure to lead this country's revival, and I will win for you and your family."
We must reverse our country's decline and that is going to require leadership.
I will take the hits. I will take the arrows. I will take the barbs. Because it's not about me — it's about you. It's not about the past. It's about your future.
We are going to fight for you. I am… pic.twitter.com/smHc3H90FT
— Ron DeSantis (@RonDeSantis) November 9, 2023
Gov. DeSantis took a swipe at former President Donald Trump for not coming through on his campaign promises like completing the border wall. President Trump has refused to attend any debates and has instead held rallies near the debates. While the field of Republican presidential candidates debated in downtown Miami, Trump was in the Republican voter-heavy city of Hialeah just 20 miles away.
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"Actions speak louder than words," said DeSantis. "We don't have time for excuses, and it's not something that we're going to be able to have all these distractions. As a veteran, I will get the job done. Now if you look where we are now, it's a lot different than we were in 2016, and Donald Trump's a lot different guy than he was in 2016. He owes it to you to be on this stage and explain why he should get another chance. He should explain why he didn't have Mexico pay for the border wall. He should explain why he racked up so much debt. He should explain why he didn't drain the swamp."
Earlier this week, the Republican Party suffered election defeats in Virginia and a key Governor's race in Kentucky, in which Trump-endorsed Daniel Cameron lost his race. DeSantis also endorsed in the race, but the candidate he openly supported, Kelly Croft, came in a distant third place behind Gov. Beshear and Cameron.
"[Trump] said Republicans were going to get tired of winning. Well, we saw last night - I'm sick of Republicans losing," said DeSantis. "In Florida, I showed how it's done. One year ago here we won a historic victory, including a massive landslide right here in Miami Dade County. That's how we have to do it. So, I promise you this: as the nominee next November I'll get the job done, and as President I will deliver for you.”
Vivek Ramaswamy first stated during the debate that Republicans were a "party of losers" because of the 2023 election night results, and called for RNC Chairwoman Ronna McDaniels to resign from her position.
Publisher Javier Manjarres contributed to this story.
