VP Harris Snubs DeSantis: War of Words Ignites Over Florida's New Teaching Standards

Photo byPhoto 156870331 © Sheila Fitzgerald

Vice President Kamala Harris politely declined Florida Governor Ron DeSantis's open invitation to a debate about the state's new Black history education standards, which assert that people could have benefited from slavery.

Harris criticized "extremists" for enacting laws that limit the right to an abortion and the right to vote, saying that they are now "attempt[ing] to erase and even rewrite the ugly parts of our history."

DeSantis urged the vice president to discuss the issue.

"In Florida, we are unafraid to openly and honestly discuss issues. And you have no trouble ducking down to Florida on short notice," DeSantis said.

The vice president claimed that the invitation to a roundtable discussion was an "attempt to legitimize these unnecessary debates" about slavery without mentioning DeSantis.

"I'm here in Florida. And I will tell you, there is no roundtable, no lecture, no invitation we will accept to debate an undeniable fact," Harris said.

Harris' comments represent the second time in recent weeks that she has discussed the new curricula for teachers.

Harris made an unplanned trip to Jacksonville and gave a passionate speech soon after the new teaching standards were released on July 21.

Harris has also often attacked DeSantis in his home state.

In January, Harris gave a speech in Tallahassee, Florida, not far from where DeSantis resides, to commemorate what would have been the 50th anniversary of Roe v. Wade.

Again, she avoided naming the governor while criticizing his assertion that Florida has the most freedom.

Polling indicates that DeSantis is still trailing former President Donald Trump by a wide margin, and recent changes to the candidate's campaign have left DeSantis on shaky ground.

What's your take on the clash between Vice President Kamala Harris and Governor Ron DeSantis over Florida's new Black history education standards?

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