“Who is Ron DeSantis?” the research firm asks.
QUICK FACTS:
- Left-leaning organization American Bridge 21st Century published a series of reports in opposition to Governor Ron DeSantis (R-FL) amounting to about 500 pages worth.
- “Welcome to American Bridge 21st Century’s Ron DeSantis opposition research hub. This website exists to help anyone understand the reality his career, his tenure as Florida Governor, and his record on issues that matter to Americans,” the research firm’s website reads.
- “So, who is Ron DeSantis? He’s a failed governor. He’s a threat to Social Security and Medicare. He’s a corrupt and authoritarian career politician, and he’s a policy extremist who’s out of touch with the voters on every issue,” the website goes on to say.
- The reports detail various Florida “crises” and describe DeSantis as an “extremist on the issues.”
- DeSantis also “constantly makes amateur mistakes and fails to understand even the basics of American foreign policy,” the research firm purports.
- The research comes ahead of DeSantis’ expected 2024 presidential campaign.
RESEARCH POINTS:
- The website asserts DeSantis is a “Bumbling, Corrupt, And Authoritarian Politician” by embracing an “Anti-Democracy Movement” in downplaying “the severity of January 6,” supporting Trump’s moves to overturn the 2020 election and creating an election police force.
- According to American Bridge, Ron DeSantis holds extremist views such as celebrating the overturning of Roe v. Wade, signing abortion bans, supporting oil and gas while denying severe climate change, objecting to health care expansion, and more.
- The organization claims DeSantis spread “misinformation” regarding COVID-19, although DeSantis’ stance on COVID-19 mandates aided in his national popularity.
- The series of reports also claim DeSantis “constantly changed his political positions,” such as his stance on Social Security, Ukraine, disaster relief, and COVID vaccines.
BACKGROUND:
- A super PAC recently raised $30 million in support of a potential DeSantis presidential run.
- ‘Never Back Down’ PAC spokeswoman Erin Perrine said, “Never Back Down has seen a massive surge in support for the movement to make Gov. DeSantis … President DeSantis.”
- DeSantis previously raised more than $200 million in his gubernatorial re-election.
