Democratic Candidate for Florida Governor Charlie Crist slammed DeSantis for ducking debates when he declined the “Before you Vote Event” but failed to mention DeSantis’ agreement in a different debate.
Crist quickly released a statement on the matter, attacking DeSantis.
“Ron DeSantis can’t defend his record of banning abortions and ignoring Florida’s affordability crisis. DeSantis wants people to think he is tough, but you can’t play dress up like a fighter pilot and then chicken out of debates. These are the actions of a wannabe dictator, it’s weak, Floridians see through it, and it’s why we’re going to defeat him,”
Charlie Crist’s Communication Director Samantha Ramirez hit the same talking points in a tweet.
Ron DeSantis just pulled out of debating @CharlieCrist at the "Before You Vote" debate — Florida's longest running, non-partisan debate series. DeSantis did this debate in 2018. And it's the ONLY debate that would be broadcast statewide. /1
— Samantha Ramirez (@Sam_RamirezQ) September 3, 2022
The tweet accused DeSantis of being scared, only acting tough in ads, and having no excuse for not facing Crist.
Ramirez claimed it was the only debate that would be broadcast statewide.
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Shortly after the attacks, news broke that DeSantis had, in fact, agreed to a debate, just one on CBS12 instead of the “Before You Vote” Event. Reporter Marc Caputo tweeted this fact and noted that if history is a guide, DeSantis would have every motive to get behind the podium.
The campaign of @RonDeSantisFL has accepted @CBS12’s Oct. 12 debate with @CharlieCrist, I hear
The last time DeSantis debated many expected he’d lose his race in 2018
Since, Andrew Gillum is under fed indictment & DeSantis is the leading 2024 GOP WH nominee if Trump doesn’t run
— Marc Caputo (@MarcACaputo) September 3, 2022
Crist and his team made their statements even though this debate was already agreed to and scheduled.
Just got a second source here: DeSantis not only is confirmed for @CBS12’s debate, he did it BEFORE today.
So if you’re trusting any blogger tweeting today about DeSantis ducking debates, you got played
— Marc Caputo (@MarcACaputo) September 3, 2022
There is a debate scheduled, this was all handled this morning. You would @CharlieCrist’s Comms team wouldn’t be 8 hours behind 🤷🏻♂️ https://t.co/lIol5FFRpT
— Evan Power (@EvanPower) September 3, 2022
According to a Florida Politics article, the October 12 debate will also be available statewide, contradicting Ramirez’s claims.
“The debate will be simulcast on statewide public ration, on participating TV stations’ websites or Facebook pages and on daily newspaper websites or Facebook pages. A national rebroadcast on C-SPAN after the live debate has aired.”
DeSantis will be on stage debating Crist at least once before the election, and everyone with internet access will be able to see it.
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