Joe Henderson
A rite of Florida politics is that there is always a debate about debates.
Challengers generally want more of them, and incumbents who believe they’re safe will hem, haw and stall on the subject.
That’s sort of what Gov. Ron DeSantis has done with challenger Charlie Crist. He declined to participate in the “Before You Vote” debate, the only one of the gubernatorial jaw-fests scheduled for a statewide broadcast.
DeSantis did accept the offer from WPEC CBS 12, a TV station owned by the ultraconservative Sinclair Broadcast Group. That should give the Governor a decided home-field advantage, but Crist said he’ll join the Governor in that joust on Oct. 12 anyway. It’s unclear how much of the face-to-face the voting public will see or how much access state media will have.
Sure, it’s smart politics by the Governor.
However, is it also a disservice to Florida people?
Of course it is. Most undecided voters will be left to decide which candidate to support based on sound bites, mailers and TV spots.
Crist craves the chance to confront DeSantis on a variety of issues. They include voting restrictions, LGBTQ+ discrimination the Governor endorsed, free speech hurdles, the racial dog-whistle “anti-riot” law, classroom interference, and so on.
The challenger is close enough in the polls to make things interesting, but he needs a knockout punch. But even if Crist lands a haymaker or two in the debate, without a statewide audience, it might not matter.
Somewhere, Nikki Fried is nodding and saying, “yep, yep.”
Crist was as elusive to her about debates in the Democratic Primary as DeSantis is now, although they finally did have one face-to-face debate, and it got feisty. It also didn’t make any difference, as Crist won the election in a breeze.
DeSantis appears content to dig into his bulging bank account for a blitz of warm and fuzzy commercials that purport to show he is beloved by Floridians. There’s nary a mention of woke, critical race theory, teachers that indoctrinate students, or election police.
The ads are so saccharine sweet, viewers should brush their teeth after watching.
But you go with what works, and apparently, that’s what the Governor has done. It’s safer for DeSantis to script a Hallmark-like commercial than give Crist any chance to get under his skin. Flashing the Governor’s trademark temper and impatience would not be a good look.
Crist has been gaining momentum and support in recent weeks, but because he’s basically been invisible to mass audiences since winning the Primary. The debate was going to be his big chance to, as he said, hold DeSantis “accountable for his extremist, anti-choice, billionaire donor agenda.”
He’ll have that chance.
But if his attacks fall in the forest, will anyone hear them?
17 comments
Charlie Crist
September 12, 2022 at 7:34 pm
Vote for me. I’ll put all these Florida rednecks in a rose garden, put all the anti-government terrorists in a swamp, and lock up greasy grifters like Rick Scott.
Tom
September 12, 2022 at 7:59 pm
Wake us up when it’s over Joe.
Chameleon is so 90’s.
Since last Jan, 9 state Gov polls and America’s Gov leads in all.
As for debates, Gov agreed to one, maybe chameleon gets one more. That’s it.
It’s over!
marylou
September 12, 2022 at 8:22 pm
Why don’t you want to hear from Desantis?
What do you think about the Independent State Legislature case that SCOTUS will be hearing soon? If they rule in favor of the NC Republicans, state legislatures will have complete control over federal elections, and won’t have to comply with state laws or voter initiatives or the state constitution. They will be able to overrule voters. There goes democracy! That’s what Republicans have planned for us. Vote out Republicans.
Charlie Crist
September 12, 2022 at 9:48 pm
Tom is drunk and on meth again…
Tom
September 12, 2022 at 10:10 pm
Thank you Mary who and Charlie Joey,
I am the FP legend cause of you.
Charlie Crist
September 12, 2022 at 10:14 pm
👆 Highly disordered, delusional, and deranged narcissist. Reaction to intellectual disability?
ScienceBLVR
September 12, 2022 at 8:11 pm
You may be right, Joe, but don’t most folks in Florida know these two candidates pretty well? DeSantis has his mug on the news everyday, and not because he’s doing anything to actually help Floridians, only to attack teachers, companies, women, just about anyone he can bully and denigrate. And it’s all imaginary crap he claims to be fighting.. Woke culture, CRT, far left ideology, indoctrination of children? I guess if DeSantis really can define all these things, he needs to debate. Let’s hear some examples of this evil that lurks in the hearts of teachers, Disney, kids who wear masks, companies with a conscious..I’d love to debate this poor excuse for a leader.
Impeach Biden
September 12, 2022 at 8:53 pm
Poor excuse for a leader? He is much more of a leader than you or that flip flopping Crist that can’t decide if he’s a Repub or Demo? Is he pro life or is he pro abortion? Is he straight or is he gay? That dude blows with the wind.
Charlie Crist
September 12, 2022 at 9:45 pm
Vote for me. I’ll grab guys like this by the hair and whip him around like a rag doll. Coup degras will be a golden shower…
Hope
September 13, 2022 at 6:31 am
Bashing the opponent relentlessly without giving any intelligent thoughtful dialogue with what you can bring forth or any accomplishments you have to show (which are none) is not a campaign strategy, it is a loser strategy. All the while DeSantis is showing leadership by leading, accomplishments, and doing great things for Floridians.
Tom
September 13, 2022 at 9:47 am
Mis believer, LMAO.
You couldn’t debate your Momma!
Let alone me, America’s Gov runs circles round you and Soros nation.
DeSantis makes a positive difference in Floridians lives every day.
Chameleon is a liar, doesn’t deserve much more, maybe one. Factcheck.Org called chameleon out, for his gross lies.
DeSantis, America’s Gov rising tide for all.
David in Shoreline
September 12, 2022 at 9:06 pm
Hahahahahaha. You thought the voters were turned off by DeSantis fighting for them… (“trademark temper and impatience”?) Hahahahaha! I’m so happy I found your comedy newsletter.
Joe Corsin
September 12, 2022 at 9:48 pm
👆Thinks the author of the article reads his silly comments. GOP voters fall into one or more of three categories… intellectually disabled, delusional, or psychotic.
Tom
September 13, 2022 at 9:42 am
Corsin, you qualify for all 3.
PeterH
September 13, 2022 at 12:57 am
From the article: ‘ Most undecided voters will be left to decide which candidate to support based on sound bites, mailers and TV spots.’
Well…..I think that most Floridians will base their voting decision on Ron DeSantis’s miserable record on COVID, hiring an anti-vax clown to manage state health needs, totalitarian governing of Florida’s public schools that has resulted in 9000 teacher vacancies, cultural wars that have left LGBTQ disenfranchised in our society and schools and the promise to pass an open carry gun legislation that will be a joy to our overworked police force. What exactly does DeSantis have in store for Florida’s women’s reproductive health???? You’ll find out after the election. Florida’s worst Governor May win again in November.
Tom
September 13, 2022 at 3:12 pm
Peter h, I told you he’s a shoe in re elect over a year ago, 20 months plus.
Chameleon is awful General election candidate. So 90’s. Factcheck.Org very damaging.
You are truly clueless, who told you Wilson or Schmidt when you toweled off.
I am the FP legend. You are clueless towel boy, LMAO.
The WH is very much a possibility.
Do for America what he’s done for Florida.
American people yearning for new generation leader like Ron, Casey and kids.
Dance craze, new wave all rock and roll to me! LMAO!
VAL
September 15, 2022 at 12:19 pm
THE ONLY WAY FLIP FLOP CHARLIE GETS ELECTED IS IF THE DOMINION COMPUTERS ARE AT ALL THE POLLING BOOTHS NOT- MONITORED WITH NO SECURITY CAMERAS…. REALLY? CHARLIE NWO CRIST
AS GOVERNOR… CAN NOT FOOL US A SECOND TIME..
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