Republican presidential candidate Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-Florida) said Sunday on CBS' “Face the Nation” that former President Donald Trump should participate in the Republican primary debate.
A partial transcription follows:
MARGARET BRENNAN: Our CBS poll shows that half of the country expects violence from the losing side of future elections. Do you share that concern about this race?
DeSantis: Yeah, I hope not. So I think we have a chance. One of the reasons I'm running is because I think Republicans have a chance to win. If you frame the issue around the problems facing this country, the failures of the Biden administration, and how they have great ideas to turn the country around. And we showed how that can be done in Florida. If we were to re-litigate past elections, if it was about Donald Trump or his legal issues or criminal trials or anything else, I think that would be a really bad election. I don't think this puts the Republicans in a good position to win. So we need to hold elections on these issues. You know, we need a candidate who can win a clear victory and we need to start looking forward as a country.
BRENNAN: You've never lost a political race in your career. You're his second in the CBS Iowa State projections. Is that victory enough?
DeSantis: Well, you had to get a majority of delegates. This is a long process. We're doing really well in Iowa. You know, I like being underestimated, Margaret. So I hope people say that. But we have enthusiasm. As the calendar turned to his 24th year, more undecided voters attended every event. So we're going to outdo everyone. But this is a long process. Many things happen to gather this many delegates. We'll do well in Iowa, but we'll also be competing in every other state. And I think there's a lot of real estate, I think a lot of things are going to happen. I wish former presidents would actually debate, I mean, if they're going to run for the nomination, I think they should be able to be on stage to do that. I would be happy to debate him on your show or if your network wants to host a debate in New Hampshire, South Carolina. But the idea that you can go and read a teleprompter for him for 45 minutes and then go home doesn't work in Iowa. And that doesn't work in many of these states. So let's go. Take the stage and discuss your ideas. I hope Donald Trump is willing to do that.
Follow Pam Key on Twitter @pamkeyNEN
