Miami voters voiced their support for Florida Governor Ron DeSantis ahead of the final GOP Primary debate on Wednesday.
"DeSantis ha hecho que Florida bueno!" exclaimed one man in a "man on the street" segment by Florida Conservative writer Eduardo Neret, translating to "DeSantis has made Florida good!"
This is the third debate Trump has refused to attend.
VIDEO: I asked Miami voters who they're supporting ahead of this week's primary debate
- Despite being thought of as Trump country, several people I spoke to are supporting DeSantis.
- One Trump voter I spoke to admitted DeSantis is the more conservative candidate, and is… pic.twitter.com/4BB3QyMusu
— Eduardo Neret (@eduneret) November 6, 2023
The surprising part of the video is that most of the people interviewed have a positive view of former President Donald Trump.
"If the election were held today what candidate do you think you would be voting for," asked Neret of another man.
"Trump," he replied. "Because basically you know what you are getting."
When that same man was asked about DeSantis's job performance, he replied positively.
"DeSantis is probably tougher than Trump. He is more conservative than you could imagine," he said. "He's doing a great job as Governor. The state is doing fantastic. We did well on Covid. I mean statistically speaking the guy did a fantastic job."
This flies in the face of the narrative that Trump supporters despise DeSantis. DeSantis received a positive response as he took the stage in Orlando at the GOP Florida Freedom Summit on Saturday as supporters waved signs reading "Florida is DeSantis Country."
The room was very pro-DeSantis and pro-Trump.
DeSantis appeared very relaxed, confident, and on his best game as he threw out all of the red meat political talking points attendees came to hear.
"We are the freest state in all of these United States! The Free State of Florida!" exclaimed DeSantis. "We have set the standard on so many things that when things go wrong in other states and other cities around this country, the first place people think to escape for refuge is right here in the Sunshine State. And that is because we have led and we have delivered results."
RON DESANTIS absolutely crushed his speech yesterday at the Freedom Summit in Orlando, Florida 🔥
Watch here in FULL: pic.twitter.com/vQRq5EgaCG
— DeSantis War Room 🐊 (@DeSantisWarRoom) November 5, 2023
He seems like he thinks through everything," a man who said he is registered Independent told Neret. "He doesn't necessarily make a decision based on what the party thinks he should do. And he's not afraid to stand up for what he believes in which is somewhat rare in most politicians these days."
First Lady Casey DeSantis spoke before the Governor at the Summit and introduced him, starting off her address with several well-thought out jokes.
"There is hope because of the shining light that is Florida and our Governor's leadership," said First Lady DeSantis before introducing her husband. "He has proven that you can fight the big fights and you can win big elections. If you have the backbone. If you arm yourself with the facts, the truth and you have faith and if you have the will and courage to fight when it counts. It can be done. We will save this country and you have got one hell of a fighter at the helm. And as you all know he just doesn't fight. He fights and he wins and he wins big."
First Lady @CaseyDeSantis gave an AMAZING speech yesterday in Orlando — you do not want to miss this.
Watch the full speech here: pic.twitter.com/G184BkPYxA
— DeSantis War Room 🐊 (@DeSantisWarRoom) November 5, 2023
Another Miami man told Neret people switch from Trump to DeSantis because they are tired of the "circus".
"If you were a Trump supporter and now you are not a Trump supporter: The number one reason why you switched is because you got tired of the game," a man in his 30s told Neret. "We are tired of the whole circus of it and now we want the product. People are tired of the BS and the whole 'we're gonna do it' and never do it and now we say vamos! Do it!"
During his keynote speech, President Trump was greeted by a massive show of affection and support from the Republican faithful. "We Want Trump! We Want Trump!" was being chanted as the former president spoke. Trump spoke against a backdrop of screens that stated, "Florida is Trump Country."
The third GOP debate will be held on November 8 in Miami at the Adrienne Arsht Center.
Publisher Javier Manjarres contributed to this story.
