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Five takeaways from Florida's fiery final gubernatorial debate | TheHill

posted onOctober 25, 2018
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Article snippet: DAVIE, Fla. -- Democrat Andrew Gillum and Republican MORE engaged in a volatile and often angry war of words in Florida on Wednesday, ending the final debate in the state's gubernatorial race before Election Day on a bitter note. Even as the candidates faced questions about widening political divisions — underscored by recent bomb threats against multiple prominent Democrats — Gillum and DeSantis traded personal attacks and accusations, touching on everything from race to corruption allegations. But the debate also touched on policy disagreements on issues ranging from gun control to environmental protections, allowing the candidates a final chance to make their cases to voters side by side. Here are five takeaways from the final Florida gubernatorial debate: It was the most bitter exchange yet In the first debate, both Gillum and DeSantis traded jabs. In the second debate, they tried to knock each other out. The full force of the partisan and ideological division present in Florida’s gubernatorial race were on display Wednesday night — but policy wasn’t at the center of the disagreements. Instead, the candidates opted for more personal attacks, focusing on issues like an FBI probe into suspected corruption in Tallahassee City Hall or allegations of DeSantis harboring racist views. At times, the candidates butted heads with the debate’s moderator, news anchor Todd McDermott. Gillum demanded more time to respond to DeSantis’ attacks and, at one point, DeSantis las... Link to the full article to read more

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