Ron Desantis attributed his success to the fact that he did not “capture the voters” and avoided information leaks when he attacked California the governor Gavin Newsom on his home turf in the “anti-awakening” rants that have become his signature.

Florida Gov. DeSantis’ remarks on Sunday were aimed at policies in California and other liberal states that he says have led to the hemorrhaging of residents who have moved to the Sunshine State.

“I know you have a lot of problems here, but your governor is very concerned about what we’re doing in Florida, so I thought I should come,” DeSantis joked at the start of his speech at the Ronald Reagan Library. in front of a crowd of more than 1,300.

Newsome has specifically targeted Florida in recent years with DeSantis’ rise to the national spotlight.

DeSantis’ tour of the country promoting his new book, including a stop in California, is fueling speculation that he is getting closer to announcing his presidential bid. On Friday, Florida’s governor makes a trip to Iowa, the nation’s first primary.

In California, Governor DeSantis was joined by his wife Casey DeSantis, eldest daughter Madison, 6, and son Mason, 4.

The sold-out event featured DeSantis speaking to a crowd of about 1,300 and signing a book of his new memoir, “The Courage to Be Free: Florida’s Blueprint for America’s Rebirth.”

The main focus of the tour is that DeSantis will have the opportunity to lay out his “project for America” ​​- the perfect opportunity to announce the presidential race.

“When I tell you I’m going to do something, I’m going to do it,” DeSantis insisted to the sold-out crowd. “I don’t make waffles.”

Florida’s governor was in Simi Valley at the Ronald Reagan Library to promote his new book, “The Courage to Be Free: Florida’s Plan for America’s Rebirth.” He arrived Sunday afternoon with his wife and Florida first lady Casey DeSantis and their two oldest children, Madison, 6, and Mason, 4. Their youngest, Mamie, was not in tow.

DeSantis focused his speech on issues that are likely to be cornerstones of the president’s platform — education and parental rights — rather than bowing to “woke” institutions and crime determination.

“I take offense on all of these issues,” DeSantis said, arguing that when he first became governor in 2018, he promised to “leave no meat on that bone.”

He also attributed much of his success to his team, saying he ran a tight ship that avoided leaks and didn’t focus too much on the reaction to the poll results.

“I have never looked at a poll in my entire tenure as governor. The leader is not a prisoner of the elections. A leader will help shape and guide public opinion,” DeSantis said.

“Don’t worry about the polls, don’t worry about the daily news cycle,” he added.

The GOP leader took aim at his fellow Democrat in California Gov. Gavin Newsom, saying, “I know you have a lot of problems here, but your governor is very concerned about what we’re doing in Florida, so I thought I had to come ‘

From left: Madison DeSantis, 6; First Lady Casey DeSantis; Mason DeSantis, 4; and Gov. Ron DeSantis hold their hands over their hearts as they recite the Pledge of Allegiance at the Ronald Reagan Library in Simi Valley, Calif., Sunday, March 5, 2023.

DeSantis said it was that mentality that led him to victory by just 32,000 votes – or 0.4 percent – ​​in 2018 to a whopping 1.5 million-vote victory in 2022 over Democrat-turned-Republican Charlie Cristo .

“I believe I may have earned 50 percent of the vote, but I earned 100 percent of the executive power,” he said.

From his team’s perspective – DeSantis said he’s made sure he’s surrounded by people who support his vision.

“We understood that good personnel should work in the administration. I’ve made the law clear – if you have any goals other than the best interests of the people of Florida and supporting what we were elected to do, pack your bags and get out, because we will not tolerate it.”

“And in four years, you have not seen our administration flow like a sieve,” he said. “You haven’t seen much drama or palace entry.”

“What you saw was executing with surgical precision day in and day out, and because we did that, we beat lefties day in and day out.”