Florida Republicans react to Trump-Biden debate: ‘The race is over.’
ATLANTA, Ga. – Florida Republicans reacted to the first presidential debate between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump on Thursday night in Atlanta, Georgia.
“NEWS: The race is over,” Rep. Carlos Gimenez, R-Fla., said on social media. “Biden showed the world how unfit he is to hold office with his incoherent, jaded vision for America.”
“These are uncharted waters & I’m concerned America’s enemies will take further advantage of Biden’s weakness to inflict harm on our nation,” he continued. “Rank-and-file Democrats on Capitol Hill are openly calling for Biden to step aside.”
“President Trump’s has the momentum & he’ll continue to show America why he’s the best choice to lead our country into the future! A Trump tsunami is coming in November,” he said.
Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., said following the debate that he’s certain Democrat’s in Washington, D.C. are talking about the 25th Amendment “right now.”
“It’s not a question of whether he should be on the ballot. That ship has sailed. It’s a question of whether he can serve as President right now,” he added.
Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., argued on Fox News following the debate that Trump had the most “dominant” performance in presidential debate history.
“Meanwhile, Joe Biden was bludgeoned so bad he will likely have to be identified by his dental records after this debate,” Gaetz joked.
“President Trump showed focus, showed clarity, and you know what, Donald Trump showed empathy for the people who have been the victims of the illegal immigration that Joe Biden has allowed and him showing that empathy, it is going to grow our movement,” he said.
Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla., made it a point to mention various policy flaws with Biden as the president made several claims throughout the debate.
Reminder, Biden recklessly overspent trillions of YOUR taxpayer dollars,” he said on social media. “This overspending caused historic inflation This inflation dismantled YOUR purchasing power/ cost of living. YOU deserve a shot at the American Dream & under Biden it’s increasingly unattainable.”
The Republican Party of Florida was also quick to comment on Biden’s failures surrounding energy.
“Hardworking Americans have paid for Biden’s war on American energy. Under Biden, energy prices have soared nearly 30%—13 times faster than the previous 7 years!” the party said.
Rep. Neal Dunn, R-Fla., said on social media that the debate “wasn’t even close.”
“@realDonaldTrump wiped the floor with Biden and showed us what American leadership should look like,” he said.
Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis echoed Gimenez’s comment about how the race is over, adding that America needs a “warrior to lead us out of the mess our country is in” and Biden is “asleep on the job during his best day.”
Following the debate, CNN’s flash poll found that over two-thirds of Americans agreed that Trump won the debate.
Several media outlets, including CNN and NBC, admitted that the president had a poor performance during the debate and that leadership within the Democratic Party may be considering options to replace him on the ticket.
MSNBC pressed California Gov. Gavin Newsom on the issues surrounding the performance. Newsom’s name has often been floated as a potential replacement for the president.
“You don’t turn your back because of one performance. What kind of party does that?” he argued.
“Democrats have delivered. This president has delivered. We need to deliver for him at this moment,” he added.
CNN senior White House correspondent Kayla Tausche said that not only does Biden not plan to drop out, but he “remains committed” to a second debate in September, according to a campaign advisor.
