Florida's high-stakes race for governor quickly turns nasty

[TexasTowelie]

Source: AP

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — In a sign that the next 10 weeks could eclipse past campaigns in the nation’s largest political battleground, Florida’s race for governor swiftly became heated and personal after the surprising primary victories of Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum and U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis.

Gillum, a far-left Democrat seeking to become the state’s first black governor, and DeSantis, a Trump-endorsed Republican, are political opposites. DeSantis assailed Gillum in a Wednesday television appearance that critics denounced as racist after the Republican called Gillum an “articulate” candidate, but said “the last thing we need to do is to monkey this up by trying to embrace a socialist agenda with huge tax increases and bankrupting this state.” President Donald Trump, also weighed in on the race by calling Gillum a “failed socialist mayor” on Twitter.

Gillum responded by decrying what he called the “gutter politics” of DeSantis that he said echoes the influence of Trump on American politics.

“I think the Florida electorate is going to reject the politics of division,” Gillum said in an interview with The Associated Press. “We’re going to try to compel and appeal to the higher values of the people of the state of Florida.”

Read more: https://apnews.com/2557f9883ae943ebb6753e2ced603a56

[DFW]

1. "monkey this up?"

That didn't take long, did it?

[TexasTowelie]

2. Definitely race-baiting.

I see absolutely no need to choose the word "monkey" when the word "mess" is more appropriate without the racist remarks.

[diva77]

3. Too bad the headline makes one think that both sides were being nasty, when in fact

Gillum sounded quite civil and polite in response to the nasty attacks launched by DeSantis

[greyl]

4. Agreed, terrible headline, not worthy of DU. nt

[George II]

5. In "Latest Breaking News" one is required to use the article headline as is....

....it wasn't the OP's headline.

[msongs]

15. it's not really LBN - it is analysis and opinion nt

[greyl]

16. Nobody is required to post articles with lousy headlines here. nt

Last edited Sat Sep 1, 2018, 12:43 AM - Edit history (1)

T Pain Full Name

[Snellius]

12. AP's headline pulls that old "both sides do it" objectivity crap.

The gubernatorial race hasn't turned nasty. Only one of the contenders, the a-hole supporting Pres. A-hole.

[yardwork]

10. The media are determined to skew this.

Gillum is not "far left" either. His views align with the Democratic Party, as he has said repeatedly.

[duforsure]

6. They use this to redirect away

From the real issues trying to make it about race, when they plan to destroy Medicaid, Medicare, and Social Security , and know they have to hide what they are really trying to do now to the American people, and why, to enrich the super wealthy even more.

[NNadir]

8. I disagree. Race is their issue, as much as it was for Goebels, Goering and Hitler.

[NNadir]

7. The Republican party has clearly dropped all pretenses of not being a racist party.

If you are a Republican today, you accept racism. Period.

[Guilded Lilly]

9. This, more than ever, will be about racist hate and...

the indecent character of the Republican candidate and party.

And as we have seen over the past few years, the very worst of entitlement-inhumanity of anyone touching the Cretin and his human scum party will be utilized. Expect it. Prepare yourself. No rock will be unturned, no language too vile will be spared.

And always...add Russia.

The strength of progressive, liberal...all Democratic Party souls...will be tested to the max. The focus of this battle goes way beyond the incendiary, baiting language and (still) rating-drama coverage of the Reality Show tainted media guaranteed to come and must be on the far superior character, agenda and ideals of Gillum.

It’s a must win. Obviously. Person to person. Door to door.
Luckily for our beliefs and country, we have incredible voting heroines and heroes who already have shown their collective winning power in the primaries.

It continues to be damned, soul wrenchingly frightening but also positively inspiring, rousing and exhilarating.

Go for the latter!

[DinahMoeHum]

11. Seems a GOP communications strategist didn't help matters either.

Link to tweet

I think if Ron De Santis really wanted to go with an obviously racist hit straight after the primary, he should have said on live TV "I don't think Floridians want to elect a dude who looks like Obama and is aping Bernie Sanders."

[padah513]

13. If it does turn nasty

We all know which side it'll come from. They proved that just yesterday.

[rockfordfile]

14. The far-right DeSantis is a un-American pos.