Jolly declines to debate Donalds after both candidates accept multiple invites

News channel 8 (Tampa) ^

[Impala64ssa]

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Democratic nominee for Florida Governor David Jolly has declined to debate his Republican opponent Byron Donalds, Jolly’s campaign announced Sunday.

Both campaigns announced on Friday that they had accepted multiple debate invitations, but the two camps did not coordinate.

Jolly accepted debates with Tampa Bay Tiger Bay and CBS Miami, while Donalds accepted invitations from Telemundo and NBC 6 in South Florida, Spectrum News in Orlando and Tampa, and News4Jax in North Florida.

Jolly released the following statement on Sunday:

“It is clear, given the tenor of the current campaign environment, including Byron’s repeated lies and bad faith, that debates this cycle would not create constructive, honest conversation and only further stoke division, animosity, and bad will. That’s not something I wish to do for our state.

“We accepted multiple debates before this week. Byron refused them and instead set his own rules by press release. His ads and allegations have repeatedly been found to be false, and it is clear he is simply looking for avenues to continue misleading Florida’s voters.

“The voting community has been well informed in the last 18 months of campaigning, through more than 300 town halls and community meetings, and we will continue to inform voters through dozens more events and online outreach. I encourage Byron to do the same.

“I know Byron will complain about this, but as he said to his GOP primary opponents when he repeatedly declined their requests to debate, ‘it’s not my job’ to platform his campaign.

“I look forward to the final six weeks of this campaign, crisscrossing the state and meeting voters in their communities—red, blue, and purple—and I look forward to an election night that will bring new leadership to the State of Florida.”

8 On Your Side asked Donalds about debates during a Clearwater stop on Saturday.

“We know where we’re going to be; we put out the dates, we put out the locations, we put out the news networks, you know, Jolly’s team has been pretty much unresponsive,” Donalds said. “We’re going to show up where we already said we are going to be, and I hope to see him there.”

Donalds posted the following to social media on Sunday in response to Jolly’s announcement:

“What happened to ‘a dozen times?’

He doesn’t want to defend:

-His $1,000 hurricane tax on Floridians

-His support for child gender surgeries

-Being ‘pretty-far left’ (his words) David has no substance.

He just wants to talk in soundbites for his next MSNBC gig.”

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TOPICS: Politics/Elections; US: Florida
KEYWORDS: byrondonalds; davidjolly; debate

[Impala64ssa]

If Jolly thinks Rep. Daniels is acting chicken that's all the more reason he should be demanding a debate so Jolly himself can explain why he justifies transing kids and the $1k hurricane tax.

[Oscar in Batangas]

Me thinks that David Jolly might be a ‘Racisss”????
‘

[sgt_lau]

We Floridians will be sending Jolly back to the rock he crawled out from under.

[Impala64ssa]

I’m sure Jolly must be very disappointed of the great reception Rep. Daniels received when he recently made a campaign stop in Crystal River. 100 yrs ago anyone who “looked like” Daniels would’ve been literally chased out of that town

[kiryandil]

I wonder if David will be getting his Jollies like the last Florida Democrap gubernatorial candidate...

Male hookers and crack.

[Ge0ffrey]

Donalds is a first-class debater. He can think on his feet without a teleprompter. That’s what Jolly is afraid of.

[Nervous Tick]

>> “It is clear, given the tenor of the current campaign environment, including Byron’s repeated lies and bad faith, that debates this cycle would not create constructive, honest conversation and only further stoke division, animosity, and bad will. That’s not something I wish to do for our state.”

Hey loser Jolly, what dressing do you recommend to render your word salad... at least barely edible?

[jmaroneps37]

He’s just there for the payday not to get humiliated

[Kudsman]

Mr. Jolly quoting bumper stickers would be right in line with Abdulrahman Mohamed El’ Sayed. Bernie is the model. Millionaires and Billionaires, quack quack quack.

[Dan in Wichita]

Jolly knows Donalds will wipe the floor with him in a debate.

Democrats are increasingly skipping debates with their GOP opponents to avoid this possibility. For FReepers, we see and understand how cowardly this strategy is, but it doesn't seem to be hurting the Dems overall with the voting public.

[Ahithophel]

given the tenor of the current campaign

Opening line usually before hitting manure spreader "on" switch.

[Tobias Grimsley]

COPY THAT!!

[iamgalt]

They learned with Biden. Don’t debate and let the MSM go after the Republican candidate. It’s happening everywhere now. Abdul pulled an even bigger scam demand an absurd 5 debates then exploit it when Rogers says no.

[ncalburt]

Or Donalds.

Donalds REFUSED to debate in the FL Primary.

During the Primary He wants to dodge talking about his criminal past and being a DEM from Brooklyn from years ago.

So he has the nerve to complain about someone dodging a debate ,

[redangus]

This seems to be the pattern for all these DSA types. Talking points to a sympathetic media, but no sit down one on one debate with their opponent where they would have to defend their statements and records.