Rep. Ron DeSantis is not backing down after referring to Democratic Socialist Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez as “this girl, or whatever she is,” which has the left up in arms.
"She’s trying to play identity politics," the Florida Republican told Fox News’s Bill Hemmer of Ocasio-Cortez’s response to him on Twitter. "I don’t care whether she Puerto Rican, whether she’s Anglo-Saxon, I don’t care whether she’s an Eskimo. Socialism doesn’t work. And it’s wrong. And you know what, I would say there’s probably a stronger aversion to some of our Hispanic populations in Florida than even the broader population."
Speaking at one of his campaign events on Saturday, DeSantis, who’s running for governor of Florida, said, "When you look at this girl, Ocasio-Cortez, or whatever she is, I mean she's in a totally different universe … It’s basically socialism wrapped in ignorance.”
That comment prompted a response from the 28-year-old informing DeSantis that she’s a “Puerto Rican woman” (no mention of being an American in there).
“Rep DeSantis, it seems you‘re confused as to “whatever I am.” I am a Puerto Rican woman. It‘s strange you don’t know what that is, given that ~75,000 Puerto Ricans have relocated to Florida in the 10 mos since María. But I’m sure these new FL voters appreciate your comments!” she wrote.
“My problem is not with your identity but with your unhinged socialist views,” he replied. “Socialism doesn't work, Israel isn't occupying “Palestine,” borders matter and the unemployment rate is down because of good policies, not because people are "working two jobs.”
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“Trust me: socialism wrapped in ignorance is something Floridians from all walks of life reject.”
My problem is not with your identity but with your unhinged socialist views.
— Ron DeSantis (@RonDeSantisFL) July 23, 2018
Socialism doesn't work, Israel isn't occupying “Palestine,” borders matter and the unemployment rate is down because of good policies, not because people are "working two jobs.” https://t.co/QwkqCibLLR
Trust me: socialism wrapped in ignorance is something Floridians from all walks of life reject.
— Ron DeSantis (@RonDeSantisFL) July 23, 2018
DeSantis also noted in his interview on Fox News that Ocasio-Cortez has referred to herself as “a girl from the Bronx” during her appearance on Stephen Colbert’s show.
“She said Trump can’t handle a girl from the Bronx. So this is just political correctness run amuck but it’s a way to obscure scrutiny on her views, which are socialist and they’re wrapped in ignorance,” he told Hemmer.
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