Republican Trump critics-turned-supporters including Nikki Haley and Ron DeSantis spoke at the second night of the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee.
South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis was among a long-list of Republican speakers who took the stage on the second night of the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on Tuesday evening.
Both governors are former Donald Trump critics turned supporters who doubled-down on their endorsement of the former president in their speeches. Haley’s speech was designed to sway undecided Republican voters who, like her, “don’t agree” with everything Trump says, whereas DeSantis stuck to Republican talking points on major issues for right-wing voters including immigration and the border, underscoring tonight’s theme, “Make America Safe Once Again.”
Trump’s vice presidential pick J.D. Vance – similarly a former critic of Trump – is slated to speak on Wednesday night, and Trump, himself, will give his address and accept the nomination on Thursday.
Haley, a former 2024 Republican presidential candidate who ran in principled opposition to Trump despite having served in his cabinet, said she was “happy” to accept Trump’s “gracious” invitation to speak about Republican “unity” at the convention.
“I’ll make one thing perfectly clear: Donald Trump has my strong endorsement. Period,” she said, earning roaring cheers.
She argued that the country cannot survive four more years of President Joe Biden, which is effectively a vote for President Kamala Harris, Haley argued.
”You don’t have to agree with Trump 100% of the time to vote for him,” she argued. “Take it from me. But [Trump and her] agree more often than we disagree. We have a country to save, and a unified Republican party is essential to saving her.”
She spent the rest of her speech highlighting what she perceived as foreign policy disasters administered under the Biden administration, arguing our enemies knew Trump was “tough” and perceived Biden as “weak.”
“Donald Trump is clear who is our friend and who is our enemy,” she said.
In contrast, DeSantis focused his speech primarily on domestic issues, including immigration and the border as well as education and diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs.
He argued that Democrats are more concerned with “coddling criminals” than protecting its own citizens, including, he said, “our own nominee,” alluding to the numerous legal battles Trump is facing
He also echoed Haley’s sentiments about Biden’s foreign policy blunders.
“Joe Biden has failed this nation,” he said, adding: “Our enemies are not confined to 10 am to 8 pm,” alluding to Biden’s 8 p.m. bedtime announced after the first debate with Trump last month.
DeSantis added: “We need a commander-in-chief who is available 24/7.”
He concluded by saying that his Republican party was able to kill the “woke mind virus” in his state, arguing that electing Trump will allow lawmakers a “chance to do this all across America.”
Source: https://www.the-express.com/news/politics/143410/rns-nikki-haley-ron-desantic-endorse-donald-trump