With the midterm elections just a little over two weeks away, many candidates are squaring up to get in their last debates before everyone is off to the polls. Democrats are highly likely to win the House while it is projected that Republicans may maintain control of the Senate. On Sunday night, Florida’s gubernatorial candidates Ron DeSantis (R) and Mayor Andrew Gillum (D) faced off for a one-hour debate in Tampa.

The debate was quite a debacle with DeSantis looking like he took lessons right out of the Donald Trump play book. Among several issues, the candidates talked about race, and DeSantis made a seemingly racist remark saying that voters would “monkey this up” if they elected his African-American Democratic opponent Andrew Gillum.

He "let us know exactly where he was going to take this race the day after he won the nomination, the 'monkey up' comment said it all." Andrew Gillum attacks his opponent, Ron DeSantis, for his "monkey" comment, saying he's drawn attention to the "color of my skin." #FLGovDebate pic.twitter.com/JwUvGJx6gA — The Lead CNN (@TheLeadCNN) October 22, 2018

Gillum attacked DeSantis right back although DeSantis denied that his comments had anything to do with race. Gillum said that DeSantis has been trying to undermine his campaign with “racist dog whistles.” Gillum said:

‘And (DeSantis) has only continued in the course of his campaign to draw all the attention he can to the color of my skin. ‘The truth is, I’ve been black all of my life. So far as I know, I will die black.’

One of the key issues of the debate was climate change and DeSantis managed to come off looking like a huge ignoramus when he attacked Gillum for pursuing what he described as a “California-style energy policy.” Gillum was quick to point out DeSantis’ skepticism about climate change, which further shows that he doesn’t believe in scientific facts.

Mayor Gillum was asked about a FBI investigation that is taking place in Florida regarding corruption in the city of Tallahassee. The investigation seems to include lobbyists and a former campaign treasurer who worked for Gillum. Gillum said:

‘We sometimes have friends who let us down.’

Perhaps, the most insane moment of the evening was when CNN’s Jake Tapper asked a question about whether the candidates thought President Trump was a good role model for the children of Florida. Tapper turned to DeSantis and said:

‘Whoever wins the governorship on November 6 will have to work with the federal government and with President Trump. ‘Congressman DeSantis, you featured your children in a campaign ad in which you were encouraging them to, quote, build a wall out of toy blocks and reading a children’s story about the president saying you’re fired. Do you think President Trump is a good role model for the children of Florida?’

DeSantis then launched into a crazy monologue about Israel, talking about Trump moving the American embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. He said:

‘My wife and I were poking a little fun at ourselves because of the way the campaign was going and I’m proud of my family though. I don’t actually read The Art of the Deal to my son Mason. He smiles at anything but that’s not necessarily his cup of tea. ‘Here’s what I know: You know, I was very passionate about moving our American embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Andrew opposed that, a couple of months said it was a mistake and said we shouldn’t recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. Every president for 25 years has promised that on the campaign trail. Once in office. They didn’t do it. Donald Trump promised it and followed through with it, so to me when you give your word and you follow through with it as an elected official, that is the model that we’re supposed to do. He was right to move the embassy to Jerusalem. I was there for an historic event. I know Andrew didn’t support that and doesn’t think that’s right but to me that was true leadership.’

After his long-winded and dim-witted attempt at answering the question, Tapper said:

‘Mr. Mayor?’

Gillum then chimed in, saying:

‘I’m confused by the question.’

Tapper repeated the question:

‘The question is whether or not he thinks President Trump is a good role model for the children of Florida.’

Gillum then said:

‘That’s what I thought. I got confused.’

At this point, the audience roared with laughter. As the laughter began to die down, Gillum answered the question, saying:

‘No, he’s not. Donald Trump — Donald Trump is weak. As all week people do they become bullies and Mr. DeSantis is his acolyte. He’s trying out to be the Trump apprentice. He’s tweeting him and talking to him hand complimenting him. My disgust for the president and his behavior actually will have nothing to do with whether or not -— if Trump tries to send us money as President Obama tried to send to the state of Florida to build high-speed rail across I-4 corridor, and our governor said, “No, we don’t want that stimulus.” If Trump tries to send me the 2.6, I’ll take it and bring it to the state of Florida and put the people of the state of Florida to work.’

Twitter also had some comments about the debate:

Featured image is a screenshot from Twitter