6 highlights from the second Republican presidential debate

By Ryan Foley, Christian Post Reporter Thursday, September 28, 2023

Ron DeSantis speaks before a panel of leaders at the Faith & Freedom Coalition's Road to Majority Conference in Washington, D.C., June 23, 2023. | The Christian Post/ Nicole Alcindor

DeSantis refutes the idea that the abortion issue cost Republicans elections

Perino suggested that abortion was a losing issue for Republicans, noting that "abortion was on the ballot in six states in 2022" and "Republicans lost all of them." Predicting that an abortion referendum will likely appear on the ballot in the "must-win" state of Arizona, Perino asked DeSantis, "How are you going to win over independent, pro-choice voters in Arizona?"

DeSantis replied by saying, "the same way we did in Florida," claiming his 2018 election victory was "the greatest Republican victory in a governor's race in the history of the state." He attributed the victory to "leading with purpose and conviction," pushing back on "this idea that pro-lifers are to blame for midterm defeats."

Detailing how Trump "has had a lot to say about that," DeSantis took issue with the former president's characterization of his approval of a six-week abortion ban in Florida as "terrible" while reiterating his belief that Trump should have attended the debate.

"He should be here explaining his comments to try to say that pro-life protections are somehow a terrible thing," DeSantis said.

The governor defended Republicans' advocacy on behalf of the pro-life movement while condemning Democrats' position on the issue.

"I think we should stand for what we believe in. I think we should hold the Democrats accountable for their extremism, supporting abortion all the way up until the moment of birth," DeSantis said. "That is infanticide, and that is wrong."