JACKSONVILLE, Florida — Charlie Crist (D-FL) provided a glimpse of his plan of attack on Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) before they go head to head next week in their only debate before Election Day.
The former governor and congressman ripped DeSantis for not supporting abortion access or addressing the rising cost of living. During a get-out-the-vote rally with the Democratic National Committee, he asked the small crowd gathered in an IBEW Local 177 parking lot in Jacksonville whether they have had enough of the “bullying” from someone he described as “arrogant,” a “clown” and a “divider.”
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“I was raised with three sisters,” Crist said Thursday of abortion access. “I understood … the respect that women deserve as a little boy. He hasn’t figured it out as a man.”
Afterward, Crist attributed his sharpness to a morning spent preparing for next Monday’s debate. He told the Washington Examiner his overriding strategy is “telling the truth.”
Crist also defended his decision to host a fundraiser next month with President Joe Biden in Fort Lauderdale, at odds with his counterparts in more competitive races.
“I think he’s great,” he said. “I love him to death, and I think he’s doing a tremendous job for our country.”
DNC Chairman Jaime Harrison introduced Crist at the event, which marked the start of Harrison’s national bus tour. Rep. Val Demings (D-FL), who is distancing herself from national politics as she polls behind two-term Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) in their Senate race, dispatched a representative in her stead.
“Democrats want to solve the problems that keep folks up,” Harrison said. “Meanwhile, Republicans, they are too busy pushing their extreme MAGA agenda, an agenda that includes abortion bans with no exceptions, an agenda that includes cutting Social Security and Medicaid, and an agenda that includes taking away your right to vote.”
“We can stop them by using our voice at the ballot box,” he added.
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Crist is the underdog as he challenges DeSantis, who is seeking a second term in office. The Cook Political Report considers their race “likely” Republican. DeSantis has an average 10-percentage-point lead over Crist, 54%-44%, according to FiveThirtyEight. That election prognosticator predicts DeSantis is “clearly favored to win.” RealClearPolitics is slightly more generous to Crist, giving DeSantis an 8-point advantage, 50%-42%.
