Sioux City Journal Editorial Board Endorses Ron DeSantis for President
DES MOINES, Iowa – The Sioux City Journal’s editorial board today released their endorsement of Ron DeSantis for president.
“If Iowans want to send a message to fellow Republicans across the country, they need to get behind Ron DeSantis. He speaks their language.”
Read the endorsement below.
DeSantis represents GOP's best choice in Iowa caucuses
Editorial Board
Sioux City Journal
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis represents the Republicans’ best shot at regaining the White House.
We say this after a presidential campaign that has made Iowa like a second home for GOP presidential candidates.
Try to name those who were in the mix early on and you’ll see how long the race has been. Through it all, DeSantis and former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley have made the most compelling cases to choose someone other than former president Donald Trump for the job.
We realize the former president has a big following, including in Northwest Iowa, but there’s too much baggage, too many uncertainties to consider a second Trump term.
Haley, who as a former United Nations ambassador was part of that White House, told us about his cavalier ways of making decisions. Even though campaign ads tout his desire to “build a wall,”
Trump had the opportunity and didn’t finish the job. He also has countless legal problems, which are major distractions. As challengers like to point out, we don’t need more chaos in government. A second Trump era would ensure it.
That leaves Ohio businessmen Vivek Ramaswamy, The Rev. Ryan Binkley, former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, DeSantis and Haley, all who have met with members of our editorial board.
While Hutchinson and Binkley have been good warriors in the fight, they don’t have the support to make a dent in the big three. Ramaswamy doesn’t either, but he’s a tireless campaigner, suggesting a run for Congress might be a better future path to the White House.
That leaves DeSantis and Haley as the two candidates most likely to win.
Haley is more moderate; DeSantis supports many of the same policies as Trump. Haley likely would be a good choice to court Democrats or independent voters. DeSantis is a better choice to corral former Trump voters willing to leave the fold.
But this is the Republican caucus, not the general election.
From that vantage point, we believe DeSantis is most in line with Iowa Republicans. He has the endorsement of Gov. Kim Reynolds and shares her views about education, abortion and border security.
Haley has softer stands on those issues – ones that likely would play better with Democrats. If she faced Joe Biden in the fall, she would give them a reason to think twice about a second term.
DeSantis plays the Republican cards. He was practically embedded in Iowa (pulling off the full-Grassley, as did Ramaswamy and Binkley) and heard those Republicans and their concerns. He appeals to disillusioned Trump supporters and gives them answers they seek.
There are questions whether DeSantis will pull in a large enough swath of independents or play well in other early nominating states after Iowa.
Who wins the caucuses?
Undefined on the polls, the smart money is still on Trump dominating Monday night. But political tea leaves suggest DeSantis could pull a surprise. His campaign touts a strong ground game that could get committed voters to precinct sites, which could prove invaluable with double-digit wind chills forecast Monday night.
If Iowans want to send a message to fellow Republicans across the country, they need to get behind Ron DeSantis. He speaks their language.
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The Journal editorial board endorses Ron DeSantis in his bid for the presidency.
