‘I don’t know what they’re for’: Joe Biden says Republican party ‘has no platform’
The debate between Florida governor Ron DeSantis and Democratic challenger Charlie Crist is underway as a new poll shows Mr DeSantis comfortably in the lead.
A Florida Atlantic University poll found that 51 per cent of voters supported Mr DeSantis, while 40 per cent supported Mr Crist.
Meanwhile, the Senate race in Pennsylvania between John Fetterman and Dr Mehmet Oz appears to be tightening to within the margin of error, while Republican Texas Governor Greg Abbott holds an 11-point lead against Democrat Beto O’Rourke.
With just over two weeks to go until election day, President Joe Biden has vowed to protect women’s reproductive rights from the threat of a Republican-controlled Congress, insisting he will veto any legislation relating to a national abortion ban.
The president described the Republicans as having no platform, saying he didn’t know what they stood for other than wanting to undo everything achieved by his administration so far.
Follow the latest news on the 2022 midterms below
DeSantis asks for Floridians to vote for him as he closes debate
“We’ve accomplished an awful lot but we’ve only begun to fight,” said Mr DeSantis as he was called a “liar” by an audience member when he touted his Covid pandemic accomplishments.
Graeme Massie25 October 2022 00:59
Crist slams DeSantis for not committing to serving four years
“I want to unite her and bring this state back together and not have a divider as governor,” said Mr Crist in his closing statement.
And he slammed Mr DeSantis for refusing to commit to serving his full term, saying: “I mean come on, Florida deserves better than that.”
Graeme Massie25 October 2022 00:57
DeSantis accused of ‘horrible political stunt’ with migrants
Charlie Crist accused Ron DeSantis of a “horrible political stunt” in flying migrants from Texas to Martha’s Vineyard using Florida taxpayers’ money.
Mr Crist accused the governor of “lying” to people as a member of the audience shouted “shame” and accused him of using the migrants as “props for your political gain.”
“It wasn’t funny, it’s not right and you were inhumane with these people,” said Mr Crist.
Mr DeSantis replied: “It’s sad that it comes with this but it put this issue front and centre.”
Graeme Massie25 October 2022 00:56
Ron DeSantis refuses to say whether he will run for president in 2024 in Florida gubernatorial debate
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis refused to say in a debate against Democrat Charlie Crist that he would seek the Republican nomination for president in 2024 on Monday evening.
Eric Garcia has the story.
Graeme Massie25 October 2022 00:51
Crist goes after DeSantis on Covid response
“I wouldn’t pat yourself on the back about your response to covid, we lost 82,000 of our fellow Floridians,” said Mr Crist.
The governor countered that he “lifted you up, protected your rights and made sure you could earn a living.”
“I am not the governor who attacked Walt Disney World because they expressed their opinion,” replied Mr Crist as he called Mr DeSantis an “anti-business” governor.
Graeme Massie25 October 2022 00:41
‘Liar’: DeSantis heckled form crowd on abortion
Ron DeSantis was heckled by a member of the crowd as he defended his position on abortion, being branded a “liar.”
Charlie Crist went on to say that his rival was “disenfranchised from the truth.”
Graeme Massie25 October 2022 00:36
DeSantis and Crist clash on critical race theory
“Florida requires teaching all of US history…it’s important that that’s taught,” said Mr DeSantis.
“The way to stop discrimination on the basis of race is to stop discriminating on the basis of race.”
Graeme Massie25 October 2022 00:32
Who is Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ wife Casey?
As the 44-year-old governor sets his eyes on a second term, Ms DeSantis has been actively stumping for her husband of more than 10 years, touring the state from the Panhandle to the Keys to promote her recently launched political effort, aptly titled, Mamas for DeSantis.
When unveiled this past summer, the rallying effort played heavily on the personal story of Ms DeSantis.
A 42-year-old cancer survivor, she shares on the website for the effort how “thankful” the state of Florida is to “finally” have a “pro-family leader” in the governor’s mansion, playing up the governor’s controversial parental rights agenda.
Read more about Ms DeSantis:
Johanna Chisholm25 October 2022 00:30
Ron DeSantis refuses to confirm if he will serve all four years
“The only worn-out old donkey I’m looking to put out to pasture right now is Charlie Crist,” said Mr DeSantis.
Graeme Massie25 October 2022 00:26
DeSantis refuses to say he will serve all four years if re-elected
“The only worn-out old donkey I’m looking to put out to pasture is Charlie Crist,” said Mr DeSantis in a seemingly rehearsed line.
“We know you like to bully people, I can take it,” said Mr Crist.
Graeme Massie25 October 2022 00:21