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Hurricane Idalia could be Ron DeSantis' biggest chance to prove his presidential credentials

'We have a responsibility as Americans to come together and do what we can to mitigate any damage and to protect people,' said DeSantis

TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA: As Hurricane Idalia targets the Gulf Coast of Florida, Governor Ron DeSantis, a contender in the 2024 Republican race for president, is at a crossroads in his career. This distressing moment signifies a pivotal phase in his role as governor and his dreams of becoming president. 

Idalia is being dubbed the "storm of the century" and is poised to wreak havoc on Florida's Big Bend region. Forecasters predict that it could escalate into a Category 4 storm, boasting winds of up to 150mph.

In response, DeSantis has temporarily halted his presidential campaign, redirecting his efforts toward handling the crisis in his state.

How is Ron DeSantis responding to Hurricane Idalia?

In the upcoming days, DeSantis will face difficulties as his management of the hurricane's response and recovery efforts is closely examined by both political opponents and Republican supporters.

Although It is not clear when DeSantis will return to the campaign trail, the governor told reporters that "you do what you need to do" in such circumstances and referenced his prior experience in handling Hurricane Ian, which hit Florida last September while he was campaigning for the governorship in the state.

The impact of Hurricane Idalia has led to a state of emergency being declared in 46 out of Florida's 67 counties.

The storm, which upgraded to a Category 1 hurricane on Tuesday, August 29, is forecasted to bring "life-threatening" storm surges as it is set to make landfall on Florida’s west coast on August 30. 

DeSantis' commitment to prioritizing public safety over political endeavors has been palpable in his statements.

He emphasized, "There’s time and a place to have political season, but then there’s a time and a place to say that this is something that’s life-threatening."

"This is something that could potentially cost somebody their life, that could cost them their livelihood. And we have a responsibility as Americans to come together and do what we can to mitigate any damage and to protect people," he said, as reported by Fox News.

As DeSantis finds himself immersed in the challenges of disaster management, this scenario sharply diverges from a recent event involving Texas Senator Ted Cruz.

The Republican senator, ignited a firestorm of criticism when he opted for a family vacation in Cancun, Mexico, while his home state was grappling with a crippling winter storm and widespread power outages.

Republican Texas Senator Ted Cruz's controversial vacation

Initially, Cruz's staff hesitated to confirm his whereabouts, leading to mounting criticism. Eventually acknowledging his presence in Cancun, Cruz defended his actions by stating that the trip was intended as a getaway for his daughters, aiming to be a "good dad" but he had returned because it "didn't feel right," reported CNBC.

Subsequently, when speaking to reporters, he revealed that he had “second thoughts” as soon as he settled into his seat on the plane in Houston.

He explained that his two daughters, aged 12 and 10, had requested the trip to Mexico after the Cruz family faced power outages themselves.

"It was clearly a mistake, and looking back, I wouldn't have done it." Cruz shared these thoughts with reporters after returning alone from Cancun to Houston, where temperatures were only slightly above freezing.

"I was simply trying to fulfill my role as a father," he asserted. Acknowledging the public's discontent, Cruz remarked, "Of course I understand why people are upset.”

'DeSantis' game is ultra-tight!'

Residents of Florida and Interent users expressed admiration for DeSantis' stance and his statements about Hurricane Idalia.

One user tweeted, "This is peak DeSantis and why we Floridians respect him. He handles this stuff extremely well." Another added, "Yes he does. He is an extremely competent leader and he gets done what he says he's doing."

A third claimed, "A true leader." A fourth added, "DeSantis' game is ultra-tight. He has repeatedly demonstrated that he's extremely capable of multitasking, without ever letting quality slide. Nothing important escapes his attention."

"The best campaigning is leading during crisis. #LeadershipMatters," read another tweet.