Paul Ryan calls DeSantis-pushed ‘anti-woke’ issues ‘polarizing’: ‘I’m not a culture war guy’
NEW YORK (FLV) – Former U.S. House Speaker Paul Ryan pushed back on “culture war” issues described as being “anti-woke” during an appearance on CBS.
“Woke” is a term frequently used to describe a far-left ideology creeping into the mainstream of American culture, ranging from Critical Race Theory to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, LGBTQ agendas in education or explicit and sexual materials in schools.
Those issues have been a centerpiece of Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration and helped kick off his rise to national recognition – and opposition from countrywide Democrats. DeSantis famously said Florida is where “woke goes to die” after winning his reelection in 2022.
“Banning books, it could be trans rights, call it anti woke or however you wanna label it – is that a good approach? A good strategy?” the CBS host asked Ryan.
“I’m not a culture war guy,” Ryan replied. “I think it’s really polarizing.”
DeSants’ campaign responded to Ryan, saying, “The Establishment can cry all they want, but there is NOTHING ‘polarizing’ about fighting the sexualization of our children.”
The former speaker went on to note that while he does side with the “anti woke crowd” on some cultural issues, he’s more worried about problems like the debt crisis.
“I’m worried about, you know, the future of our country, and China… there are big policy problems that we need to tackle if we want to have a great 21st century for this country,” he said.
“What I’m worried about are the big policy challenges that are going unresolved or made worse by Joe Biden,” he continued. “So that’s why I want to win this election so we can actually fix these big policy problems.”
Ryan said while he’s not a “culture war guy,” those kinds of issues are “effective politics.”
“I’ll grant you that,” he said.
Former President Donald Trump has repeatedly called DeSantis a “disciple” of Ryan.
Both Trump and DeSantis, vying for the 2024 GOP presidential nomination, have in the past issued praise of Ryan.
Trump compared Ryan to “fine wine” in December 2016, shortly before assuming office.
DeSantis previously compared himself to Ryan, saying he could be “like a Paul Ryan,” whom he described as “different” and “a leader.”
Ryan was the House speaker under Trump, from 2017-2018.
In November 2022, months before DeSantis announced his bid for president, rumors circulated that DeSantis colluded with Ryan or now-House Speaker Kevin McCarthy to “plot” against Trump in the primary.
DeSantis’ team called those claims “completely false.”
The governor recently responded to claims he is an “establishment” politician, going on a spiel surrounding his touted accomplishments and efforts:
How many establishment Republicans would have sent illegal aliens to Martha’s Vineyard? How many establishment Republicans would have stood up against Disney? How many establishment Republicans would have signed the bill that I just signed to ban land purchases from people affiliated with the CCP in the state of Florida? We’re now being sued by the ACLU for that. How many establishment Republicans would have leaned in to support our children against the pronoun Olympics … How many establishment Republicans would have banned gender transition surgeries for minors?
Gov. Ron DeSantis on Newsmax with Eric Bolling, May 25, 2023.
