At the height of his popularity, sometime after the truth of the pandemic came out and before his unfortunate announcement to run for the GOP nomination on what was then Twitter (Now X), Ron DeSantis had the adoration of donors, conservatives, and even some more center-left voters fed up with how far left the Left has gone.
Even non-residents of the Sunshine State were donning t-shirts and displaying bumper stickers that read “Make America Florida.” DeSantis’s results-oriented, data-driven decisions had impressed many. His supporters thought that would be enough to cinch him a victory in the GOP primary.
They would be wrong.
Finding Traction
Unfortunately, in a culture that seems to reward sensationalism over common sense, DeSantis has not been able to gain traction against the goliath personality that is Donald Trump.
DeSantis has much going for him. He is the only candidate to have served in the military. He has a Yale education with Dunedin, FL small-town sensibilities. He articulates his arguments well and does not back down or waver in the face of challenges from mainstream media. He knows constitutional law better than any other candidate in the GOP field, and arguably the entire race other than Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. who spent a lifetime prosecuting environmental enforcement lawsuits against municipalities and industries before entering office. He has a moral compass and a true north that guides his decisions.
All of these assets have been dwarfed by the allegations that DeSantis is “unlikeable” and a traitor to Trump.
Bringing Americans Home
However, DeSantis’s latest move to bring home Americans stranded in Israel once again shows his commitment to his country and those who call it home.
Florida’s Governor partnered with Project Dynamo, a nonprofit that specializes in bringing U.S. citizens home from conflict zones around the world, to remove over 250 Americans from Israel and bring them safely back to the States.
According to Bryan Stern, the co-founder of Project Dynamo in Tampa, the DeSantis administration used state funds from Florida’s Division of Emergency Management, which notified people via X of its services.
The Governor issued an emergency declaration last week that gave the executive branch broad powers to spend money and act.
This is the kind of thing DeSantis is good at. Knowing how – and when – to wield executive power appropriately and legally.
And thank goodness. Because the Biden Administration seems to be less than helpful when it comes to removing American citizens from dangerous situations abroad.
The State Department has begun to charter flights and a boat to help U.S. citizens leave Israel, but they will have to repay the government for the flights which will only get them to Greece, Germany, or Cyprus. Passengers will then be required to arrange for their own transport back home to America and be responsible for any lodging necessary in the interim.
DeSantis isn’t the only one aiding Americans. Florida Rep. Cory Mills also secured charter flights to bring stranded citizens home.
“I have secured a charter plane with 219 available seats that need to be occupied as soon as possible,” Mills posted on X, formerly Twitter. “In contrast to Joe Biden’s charter flights, this service is provided to passengers FREE OF CHARGE.”
Together, both the governor and Mills claim to have returned 400 passengers home safely.
This is the kind of qualified leadership this country needs now more than ever.
Still, if polls are any indication, Republican voters are making clear Ron DeSantis is not who they want. But he is who this country needs, particularly in such fragile and perilous times.
Jennifer Galardi is the politics and culture editor for 19FortyFive.com. She has a Master’s in Public Policy from Pepperdine University and produces and hosts the podcast Connection with conversations that address health, culture, politics and policy. In a previous life, she wrote for publications in the health, fitness, and nutrition space. In addition, her pieces have been published in the Epoch Times and Pepperdine Policy Review. You can follow her on Instagram and Twitter.
