DeSantis mixed it up on camera with NBC reporter Dasha Burns in a recent interview (above). Some view his appearance on NBC as an indication of a campaign strategy shift to make the Florida governor more available for less-friendly media outlets. He appeared on CNN in July.
In April, DeSantis signed into law a bill banning abortions in Florida at six weeks. Opponents fear he would seek the same ban coast-to-coast if elected president. Challenged on the ban by NBC's Burns, DeSantis replied:
"I would not allow what a lot of the Left wants to do, which is to override pro-life protections throughout the country all the way up, really, until the moment of birth in some instances, which I think is infanticide."
Dustin Carmack, policy director for the DeSantis campaign, said on American Family Radio Tuesday that voters should take the presidential hopeful at his word.
"The governor has said he will be a pro-life president. If anything, not only does he talk the talk, he walks the walk when it comes to what he did here in Florida," Carmack told show host Jenna Ellis.
Burns also challenged DeSantis on his interpretation of the Democrats' position on abortion.
"I've got to push back on you on that," she said, citing CDC data, "because that's a misrepresentation of what's happening. I mean, 1.3% of abortions happen at 21 weeks [of pregnancy] or higher. There is no indication of Democrats pushing for that."
Campaign shares DeSantis' complete response
DeSantis responded, but NBC cut him off. The DeSantis campaign shared his complete response on social media.
"Well, yes they are," DeSantis countered. "They've done it in California. They've done it in other states. I don't say that's the norm in terms of this, but I do think the Left in this country has moved on from a position that said, 'You know what, we do want to discourage abortion, it's not something that's a good thing' – to now viewing it more as a positive good for society."
Since the Supreme Court returned the power to make abortion decisions to the states last summer, some – Florida among them – have restricted abortion while some have moved the other direction. Carmack acknowledged battles on behalf of the unborn will continue.
"This will be a fight – and you'll need a president who is speaking articulately on this subject but also showing sympathy and showing that the culture of life is important," he said.
"We want people to be successful in this country, and we want families to be successful. The governor has a great message and a great track record, and he's looking forward to delivering that for Americans."
