Ron DeSantis has repeatedly refused to say whether he will serve out his full term in 2024 amid speculation, but says his focus is on beating “worn-out old donkey” Charlie Crist
- “You’re running for governor,” Crist said. ‘And I have a question for you. … Why don’t you look into the eyes of the people of Florida you will minister to every four years?’
- “I just want to make things very, very clear. The only worn out old donkey I want to put out to pasture is Charlie Crist.
- According to FiveThirtyEight, DeSantis is favored for re-election by eight points
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis would not rule out a presidential nomination in 2024 when he pressed the matter in a debate with Democrat Charlie Crist.
During the debate, Crist repeatedly pressed the governor on his political ambitions and whether he would spend all four years of his term at the governor’s mansion.
“You’re running for governor,” Crist said. ‘And I have a question for you. … Why don’t you look into the eyes of the people of Florida you will minister to every four years?’
“Are you going to serve a full four-year term?” he added.
DeSantis balked at the question and paused for a long time as the crowd erupted in applause at Crist’s question.
Crist continued, “Yes or no, Ron. Are you going to serve a full four-year term if you’re re-elected governor of Florida?’
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis would not rule out a presidential nomination in 2024 when he pressed the matter in a debate with Democrat Charlie Crist
During the debate, Crist repeatedly pressed the governor on his political ambitions and whether he would spend all four years of his term at the governor’s mansion
After a moment of awkward silence, DeSantis replied, “Is it my time?”
Crist said: ‘That’s a valid question, he won’t tell you.’
Desantis replied, “Well, listen, I know Charlie is interested in talking about Joe Biden and 2024, but I just want to make things very, very clear. The only weary old donkey I want to put out to pasture is Charlie Crist.”
The exchange came after a back-and-forth about Florida’s economy, real estate markets and inflation. DeSantis at times attempted to tie Crist to Biden’s energy policies.
According to FiveThirtyEight, DeSantis is favored for re-election by eight points.
DeSantis’ rise to stardom began when he refused to follow public health guidelines. Of late, it has escalated to frequent bickering with the Biden administration on everything from immigration to gender expression in the classroom.
DeSantis, Crist and their partners shake hands after the debate
A Vanity Fair report last month claimed DeSantis told those close to him he thought Trump was a “fucking idiot” and that he would have no problem facing him in a primary.
An unnamed Republican source recalled him telling donors: “[T]The only way to beat Trump is to attack him head-on. He says he would turn to Trump during a debate and say, “Why didn’t you fire Fauci? You said you would build the wall, but there is no wall. Why is that?”
DeSantis’ rise from a member of the House of Representatives to governor of the third largest state is largely credited to Trump’s support. But today, the love between the two isn’t lost — according to an excerpt from Maggie Haberman’s book, Confidence Man, Trump has called DeSantis fat, “whiny,” and “wrong.”