Ron DeSantis now says his pitch for Iowa caucus in Florida was a joke

Desantis AP campaign
The Governor wants his supporters to 'just make sure you caucus first and then come down' to Florida.

Florida may be the “Iowa of the Southeast,” but Ron DeSantis is now framing his pitch for satellite Iowa caucuses in the Sunshine State as a joke.

During a radio hit, the Florida Governor urged Iowans to delay travel to the state until after the state’s Jan. 15 candidate selection.

“I’ve joked to the folks that we should figure out if we can get some satellite caucus locations in Southwest Florida because I think there’s quite a bit of Iowans who come down there and, you know, they haven’t had a caucus for, since 2016, on the Republican side. So, what I’ve been telling people is, you know, anyone coming to Florida, just make sure you caucus first and then come down and get that done,” he said on AM 600 WMT.

The Florida Phoenix reported that the state’s Republican Party has no interest in holding out-of-state events, a position that may have led DeSantis to either clarify his quip or change his position.

As Florida Politics was first to report on Saturday morning, DeSantis floated the remote events during a meet and greet event in Muscadine.

“I do know with so many people that go down in Florida, I have to figure out — I may petition the Iowa Republican Party to have some caucus sites in Southwest Florida,” the Governor told supporters. “So people could just go, I mean, do one in Naples, one in Marco Island. You know, whatever you need to do.”

Ultimately, no such petition will happen, of course, clipping the electoral wings of Iowa’s snowbirds. And Hawkeye State Republicans who want to exercise their franchise will need to brave the winter chill for a couple more months, or fly back for the event.

A.G. Gancarski

A.G. Gancarski has been the Northeast Florida correspondent for Florida Politics since 2014. His work also can be seen in the Washington Post, the New York Post, the Washington Times, and National Review, among other publications. He can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter: @AGGancarski


11 comments

  • Michael K

    November 14, 2023 at 9:19 am

    Everything that spews forth from Ron’s mouth is a joke. In fact, he’s a joke.

    We need a leader who thinks before they open their mouth. On a daily basis, Ron demonstrates how unfit he is to serve.

    • Impeach Biden

      November 14, 2023 at 9:56 am

      Yet you support “Dementia Joe”? Read what you just posted. Biden is a mumbling fool. He just got lost at Arlington cemetery. He can’t function without human intervention, cheat sheets, cue cards, teleprompters, etc. etc. Newsflash: Kamala Harris is much younger and yet even dumber.

      • Joe

        November 14, 2023 at 10:08 am

        Fox News has melted your tiny brain, you predictably useful idiot.

        • Impeach Biden

          November 14, 2023 at 10:31 am

          You ignore reality. Seems like your brain has been fried by MSNBC, CNN and The View.

      • Michael K

        November 14, 2023 at 10:55 am

        Actually, I’ve met Joe Biden – he is not a “mumbling fool.” He’s quite sharp and has a distinguished legislative history and deep knowledge of US history and the inner workings of government. But above all else, he knows and respects the Constitution and all Americans in all their diversity – not just those who voted for him. His steady hand has helped America regain its footing after the chaos and vulgarity of the worst president in American history – a selfish egotist who denied his loss in the 2020 election, causing great damage to our nation. You might read a fairly recent David Brooks NYT column following several interviews he’s had with Biden.

        • Impeach Biden

          November 14, 2023 at 11:02 am

          Wow! I had no idea the White House Press Secretary participated on this message board. Good morning Karine and you are still FOS.

          • Michael K

            November 14, 2023 at 11:09 am

            Thanks for the compliment – but alas, I am not as talented as she.

  • My Take

    November 14, 2023 at 9:42 am

    Generalissimo-Presidente ClownSSantis needs a tiny three-island out-of-the-way Caribbean nation of 30,000 . . . in 1930.
    In a medal-bedecked ostentatiòus general’s uniform, with ceremonial sword dragging the floor aside his stubby frame, despite his ludicrous high-heeled cavalry boots.

  • Sandra Price

    November 14, 2023 at 9:55 am

    You nailed it

  • Bwj

    November 14, 2023 at 4:19 pm

    Too bad Rodney Dangerfield isn’t around to teach Ron how to tell a joke.

    • Dont Say FLA

      November 15, 2023 at 10:37 am

      Rhonda don’t get no respect. I tell ya. NO respect!

      But in Rhonda’s case, they don’t deserve any respect. Rodney Dangerfield was far more respectable than Raging Rhondaroid of Florida.

Comments are closed.


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