From October 24, 2022 post.
Those covering tonight’s debate are honing in on one moment as “the moment” of the debate – Ron DeSantis’s awkward, painful, but telling pause when asked if he would serve a full term as governor.
While he was equally evasive and awkward in avoiding questions about his abortion ban with no exceptions for rape or incest, his sheer inability to muster a thought in response to a simple question was the defining moment of the debate:
NBC News:
DeSantis said nothing as four seconds ticked by and the debate hall started to fall quiet.
“Yes or no, Ron?” Crist asked again.
DeSantis asked the moderator about his allotted time.
“It’s not a tough question,” Crist said, filling the dead air. “It’s a fair question. He won’t tell ya.”
That’s when the moderator, CBS12’s Liz Quirantes, stepped in and pointed out that both sides had agreed they wouldn’t ask each other questions onstage.
Miami Herald:
DeSantis was silent for about 10 seconds as he looked into the camera in the split-screen, as Crist asked the same question again. DeSantis eventually asked the moderator: “Is it my time?” before responding.
Associated Press:
“Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis refused to commit to serving a full four-year term if reelected when pressed by his Democratic rival, Charlie Crist, at their only gubernatorial debate on Monday…DeSantis skirted several attempts by Crist to get him to say he’d serve a full second term.”
Original source can be found here.
