Sunshine Summit: Day 2 focuses on ISIS

ORLANDO, Fla. – The second day of the Sunshine Summit included speeches from Sen. Rick Santorum, Gov. Bobby Jindal, Sen. Rand Paul, Gov. Chris Christie, Gov. John Kasich and Carly Fiorina.

10:58 a.m.
Former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum kicked off his speech talking about being back in Florida, a state where his 97-year-old mother resides. However, within seconds he switched his focus to the Paris terrorist attacks.

“I’m here with a heavy heart to hear about the horrible attacks in Paris. Our thoughts and prayers go out to our allies,” he said. “[I’m] Feeling upset ISIS’ creation was a political decision.”

Sen. Santorum said despite military recommendation, President Obama abandoned Iraq.

“Do we need another young, inexperienced President to come into office when the world is on fire.”

Sen. Santorum touted his experience, saying he served eight years on the Senate Armed Services Committee.

He then talked about immigration and how it has affected the working class. He said Americans have to do something about controlling immigration in order to get the economy back on track and make sure someone is watching out for their jobs.

12 p.m.
Former Virginia Governor Jim Gilmore said he will stand up for this country. He too spoke about the Paris terrorist attacks and what the characteristics he thinks the next leader of the U.S. needs to possess.

“In the face of what we saw last night and what we’ve seen in the past. It’s no time to put inexperienced amateurs [in the White House].”

The former governor kept his speech short but made one point clear saying, “if you choose me to be your President. I will provide that leadership.”

1 p.m.
Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal immediately took the stage saying the Republican candidates war on each other has to stop. He said he does not think candidates should attack each other, this came two days after Donald Trump attacked Dr. Ben Carson comparing him to a child molester. Jindal said it was time to fire everyone in Washington, D.C. because not much has been done right.

“We’re declaring war on trans fats and declaring a truce with Iran. That makes no sense to me at all.”

Gov. Jindal also touched on immigration stating it was time for a ‘smart immigration policy,’ that would secure the border and put an end to sanctuary cities. He then transitioned to the fight against ISIS, stating the Democrat’s front-runner Hillary Clinton ran a failed foreign policy and it was time for a President who would take control of the threat.

“Islam has a problem, that problem is radical Islam,” Gov. Jindal said.

1:30 p.m.
Kentucky Senator Rand Paul’s focus was no surprise: the national debt. Paul said he believed America’s greatest threat is the national debt.

“The further we get into debt, we actually may destroy the country,” he said.

Paul then talked about how the recent attacks in Paris go hand-in-hand with immigration.

“We have to be very careful and extraordinarily cautious about who comes here, who immigrates here and who studies here,” he said. “Who in the hell is in charge of scrutinizing these people.”

Finally, he said he believed the nation’s biggest issue is the collapse of separation of government.

2 p.m.
New Jersey Governor Chris Christie started his speech Saturday re-living the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in New York. Christie said his wife was just blocks from the World Trade Center and called to tell him she was being evacuated. He did not hear from her for five hours and said his mind started to wonder what it would be like to be a single-dad and lose his partner. Fortunately, his wife survived and came home that night but Christie said many of his friends did not.

Christie said he had planned to handle Saturday’s speech as normal, grab a a stick microphone and walk around talking about America’s future on economy, jobs and other important topics. However, he said watching the news in Paris Friday night, he felt today was too serious to give a “canned stump speech I gave in Iowa.”

The New Jersey Governor said to him terrorism is not theoretical, it was something he lived. He touted he was tested as a governor and ready to lead the country against what he called “evil.”

Christie said he was tested and experienced. He also said America needs a ‘blunt, outspoken and direct President” and he has already proved he is that person. The room erupted in applause before Christie could finish.

2:30 p.m.
Governor John Kasich started his speech stating it was a somber day and not a day to promote his candidacy. He said the Paris terror attacks were not just an isolated attack but rather an attack on the western civilization.

“I don’t know that this is a time for political criticism or the blame game, but I must say that we as a nation, the United State of America has not shown leadership.”

Gov. Kasich said the U.S. must assert leadership and stand next to France and the French people. He said the next President needs to work on joint military action against ISIS. The governor ended saying his message was from the bottom of his heart and that the American people need to stand up for their children.

4 p.m.
Former CEO Carly Fiorina closed out Saturday’s event with a huge welcome from the crowd as she walked onto stage. Fiorina said time and time again that she was angry. She said she was angry about the carnage in Paris and how the Obama administration has handled ISIS.

“The murder, the mayhem, the danger, the tragedy that we see unfolding in the Middle East, around world and too often in our own homeland are direct consequences of this administration’s policies. You cannot lead from behind,” she said.

She said the U.S. is exceptional and because of that we must have the strongest military on the face of this planet. She promised to restore prosperity and possibility and cut the size of the government. Fiorina said as Commander in Chief she would invest in the military and reform the VA administration from the top to bottom.

The Sunshine Summit wrapped up Saturday evening. Florida’s primary is March 15.