A.G. Gancarski
Behind in most polls of the race, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Charlie Crist wants two more debates with Gov. Ron DeSantis.
Crist and DeSantis debated Monday night in South Florida, the sole debate DeSantis agreed to in the 2022 campaign being on what Crist called the “conservative Sinclair network.” That debate itself was rescheduled, after being postponed in the wake of Hurricane Ian.
With just two weeks left until the vote is counted, Crist is urging the incumbent to reconsider. This isn’t a new stance for Crist, who sought multiple debates to no avail earlier in the campaign.
“One hour was apparently not enough time for Ron DeSantis to answer some simple questions, like whether he will stay in the job for four years and whether he will ban abortion outright,” said Crist. “I know he had a rough night, but I’m happy to give him a do-over because the people of Florida deserve to hear him answer those questions.”
Crist’s statement references a couple of moments where the famously loquacious DeSantis proved less than articulate.
The Governor floundered when Crist asked him if he intended to stay in office the full second term if elected, given the rumors that DeSantis is eyeing a run for the White House in 2024.
“I have a question for you,” Crist asked DeSantis Monday. “If you’re running for Governor, why don’t you look in the eyes of the people of the state of Florida and say to them that if you’re re-elected, you will serve a full four-year term as Governor.”
DeSantis’ abortion comments were likewise framed as opaque by Crist, who has devoted a lot of General Election messaging to undoing the state’s new law that bans abortion after the 15th week of gestation, without exceptions for rape or incest.
We’ve reached out to the DeSantis campaign for comment, and will update if response is provided.
23 comments
David In Shoreline
October 25, 2022 at 1:41 pm
Sorry Charlie, you aren’t getting another debate. Governor DeSantis is busy with hurricane recovery. Just out of curiosity, if you had gotten a second debate which party did you plan on representing? I assume you’ll switch parties again after that horrible performance last night.
Charlie Crist
October 25, 2022 at 1:46 pm
Yeah I’m sure DeSantis is out there cleaning up the rubble by hand and pulling out bodies. He sits on his ass on the telephone all day ..he can come back for a one hour debate. He just doesn’t want to because he can’t stand criticism.
Charlie Crist
October 25, 2022 at 1:44 pm
DeSantis doesn’t want to come back for another roast. I toasted his nut so bad he’s had enough. His ego can’t take the wallop. He thinks he’s perfect and can’t stand criticism. He was up there looking like he had something stuck up his azz. I won!
Brian Brady
October 25, 2022 at 2:12 pm
“The Governor floundered when Crist asked him if he intended to stay in office the full second term if elected, given the rumors that DeSantis is eyeing a run for the White House in 2024.”
Mr. Gancarski, you didn’t do your research. Both campaigns agreed to not ask each other questions. What you saw was DeSantis letting to moderator do her job– and Quirantes did that.
marylou
October 25, 2022 at 3:30 pm
Lol. Desantis wouldn’t have answered that question even if it had been his wife asking it. Technicalities and loopholes = all that Republicans have!
VOTE OUT REPUBLICANS!
Jerry
October 25, 2022 at 2:19 pm
After Crist kept breaking the agreed upon rules, and his clowns in the audience couldn’t stay quiet for more than 2 minutes, I would say DeSantis would be crazy to agree to another one with this idiot.
Tjb
October 25, 2022 at 3:57 pm
Why is DeSantis only doing one debate with Charlie? DeSantis in his November fundraising ad spoke about the “big pair that he had”. Looks like he lost them and he is now afraid to debate . Is he afraid that the voters will see him as a fraud who really doesn’t care about Floridians as he continue his journey as a Presidential candidate.
If DeSantis has time to campaign, he has time to debate..
Be a man Ron and debate Charlie.
The Real Real Charlie Crist
October 25, 2022 at 2:23 pm
Well at least Ron told me on the down low that I could keep all my leftover campaign money and do whatever I want with it. Thats great news because Soros and so many have given me millions.
Hey you dont think I should have gotten Ron to put that in writing do you?
I think I will use my leftover campaign donations to buy a farm in Florida to use as a retirement home for old washed up Donkeys.
Tom
October 25, 2022 at 2:32 pm
Charlie, Wah, Wah, Wah.
Sorry Charlie Chameleon.
Desperate!
The Real Tom
October 25, 2022 at 6:00 pm
👆Pay no attention to this imposter..
Tom
October 25, 2022 at 6:44 pm
Joey alias corsin, loser.
Gov listened to me on chameleon reference! You are an idiot!
Joe Corsin
October 25, 2022 at 7:20 pm
Tropical 2 swirling tornadocane idiot?
Ocean Joe
October 25, 2022 at 5:39 pm
In the afterglow it’s beginning to look like Charlie must have won that debate. I saw it as a draw, but must say Desantis is not the greatest when confronted, and whether it was abortion or his culture war or his weird obsession with trannies, he seemed a bit outclassed.
Maybe it won’t save Charlie from the reddening Florida, or the independents who love having a pro-business, anti-consumer govt., but he did a great job with the time he had. Would also say, if you watched, the audience bellowing started with the Desantis side and the Crist side responded in kind.
For historical insight, growing up there, let me point out the Blacks sat in the balcony, which had a separate rear entrance, and the fire escape doors on the right side of the auditorium were often pushed open to let kids sneak in and avoid buying a ticket.
Tom
October 25, 2022 at 6:34 pm
Crapping on you Joey Alias.
U r Jealous, Gov used may “chameleon” line.
You are a fool.
Such a loser:
Joe Corsin
October 25, 2022 at 7:20 pm
You aren’t crapping on anyone. Gonna get beat up at the bar.
Tom
October 25, 2022 at 6:56 pm
Ocean, no it will not save the chameleon.
Gov was effective defending his record!
Most questions that were directed to Chameleon, hence he was always rebutting Gov
Gov was very strong on defending open economy, open schools, Covid, defending freedom Etc.
Crisp was just making charges, not really offering anything. Crisp did well overall. I thought it was pretty neutral debate. No knock outs.
The after poll had Desantis big, decisive win. Just saying.
Joe Corsin
October 25, 2022 at 7:21 pm
Gonna get beat up by everyone at the bar!
Tom
October 25, 2022 at 7:30 pm
You need everyone to try, shit head.
You can’t. Dem Dum ass.
Anytime.
Joe Corsin
October 25, 2022 at 8:14 pm
It’s dumbass…not dUm AsS😆
Tom
October 25, 2022 at 7:30 pm
You need everyone to try, shit head.
You can’t. Dem Dum ass.
Anytime.
Joe Corsin
October 25, 2022 at 8:16 pm
I come give you a spinning high kick to the mouth. Where are you? The Villages? 😆😂🤣😭
Tom
October 25, 2022 at 9:21 pm
Dum ass Dem.
You can’t do in or kick.
Joey idiot.
Marvin
October 25, 2022 at 11:36 pm
Dems: open mouth and insert foot. Rinse and repeat.
Comments are closed.