DeSantis reveals ‘economic independence’ plan amid current national decline.

Fresh⁣ Off of a Well-Received Speech, Gov. Ron ‌DeSantis Unveils His Economic Policy Plan

Fresh off of a well-received speech at the Lincoln Dinner in Iowa, Republican presidential candidate Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) unveiled his economic policy plan in ⁢Rochester, New‍ Hampshire, another critical ⁢early nominating state, on Monday as he attempts to reset his beleaguered campaign.

A⁢ Bold ‌Plan for Economic Growth

DeSantis’s plan for growing the economy includes:

• Eliminating American dependence on China
• Achieving energy independence from foreign nations
• Nixing the use of environmental,‍ social, and governance ​by pension funds
• Ending affirmative action in the economy
• Reforming‍ the nation’s education system
• Ending⁤ illegal immigration
• Reining in the Federal Reserve and ​congressional spending

“Our country is in decline right ​now. We see it with military decline, cultural⁤ decline, but we also see it in‍ terms of economic decline,” DeSantis⁣ said. “And⁣ I’m running for president because⁤ we cannot be satisfied with simply‌ managing this decline a little bit better⁣ than the ​Democrats.”

DeSantis ⁤mainly championed supporting ⁤America’s middle-class families, working-class families, and small businesses hit hard by ⁣the coronavirus ⁤pandemic against Washington, D.C., elites, “corporatism,” ⁤and the ⁢growing influence of China on the ⁤global economy.

“Today ​the⁣ bottom half of households have less wealth than they did in 1989. Meanwhile, the top 10% have⁢ added $29​ trillion in wealth. COVID lockdowns accelerated that trend. It crippled the market share of small businesses and benefited ⁣the ⁤largest corporations,” DeSantis said. “It⁤ diminished the purchasing power of‌ our middle class, and ⁣it upended ⁣our workforce such that millions of⁢ people left ⁣the workforce, and still to this day, have not returned.”

The “Declaration of Economic Independence” speech comes during a crucial moment for the Florida governor’s campaign.

Challenges and Determination

DeSantis has faced declining poll numbers and growing‍ uncertainty ⁤that ⁢his campaign is viable, especially considering former President Donald Trump’s sizable lead in polls of Republican voters.

The‍ governor’s attempts to dethrone Trump have​ floundered in recent weeks. DeSantis’s​ second-quarter campaign finance report showed million raised,⁣ but​ a majority of donors have maxed ⁣out on financial⁤ contributions. The campaign burned‍ through $8 million and has $12 million cash‌ on hand. Also not helping DeSantis: His campaign fired 38 staffers last week, roughly a third of his team.

Results from the first New York ​Times/Siena College poll of the 2024 cycle on Monday showed DeSantis trailing ⁣Trump by 37 percentage ‌points. Republican voters‌ back Trump by 54% compared to only 17% ⁣who support DeSantis, a factor that complicates the governor’s attempt ⁢to solidify himself as the top non-Trump 2024 candidate. However, the poll also‌ showed that no other 2024 GOP hopeful received above 3% support.

Aides signaled that DeSantis’s⁢ speech on Monday⁢ will be “a​ key cornerstone of DeSantis’s campaign as he ramps up his insurgent message.”

DeSantis himself touted his leadership of ‍Florida ⁤during the pandemic when he bucked ‌the advice of national leaders, including‌ Anthony⁣ Fauci, then director of the National Institute ​of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, who‍ urged states to implement lockdowns.⁤ “Leadership⁣ matters. We showed how to get it done. ⁣We beat the elites. We showed ​the⁣ way forward to restore freedom and‌ opportunity for people all ⁣throughout ‍this country. And I will fight as‌ president for the American people just like we fought for the people​ of Florida,” he said.

“We are the number one ‌most desired state to move to ⁤anywhere in the country. That’s‌ just a ⁢fact,” he ⁣later added during a question-and-answer portion when his speech was finished.

During the speech, DeSantis declared he ‍would undo President Joe Biden’s‌ economic plans, including pressuring Americans to buy electric vehicles.⁢ “Biden’s⁤ job ⁣crippling and ideological regulations and executive orders will be reversed by me on day one,” he said.

Although DeSantis appears to be⁢ moving away from cultural issues on the campaign trail, he did criticize the ⁣”indoctrination” of children ⁣in ⁤schools. “We ⁣need our schools from K-12 through ‍university to focus on education, not indoctrination,” he said.

He ​also condemned student ​loan‌ forgiveness,‍ arguing that ‌”it’s wrong to say that ​a truck driver should ⁣have to⁤ pay off ‌the debt of somebody ⁢who got⁣ a degree in gender⁣ studies. ‍This is ⁤not the taxpayers that⁣ should have to do that.”

DeSantis argued that​ he will ​fight for American families if he is elected president next year. “I want a country where Americans that ⁣work hard, Americans⁤ that ‌get the most ⁤out of their God-given ‌ability, are‌ able to get ahead in this ​country,” he said. “They’re able to raise a family and they’re ‌able to lead fulfilling and productive lives. And if ⁤we‍ can’t get that right, then we are not going to succeed as a country.”

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