Florida: GOP Gubernatorial Candidate Says Voters Shouldn't "Monkey This Up" Voting For HIs Black Opponent

Ron DeSantis (L), Andrew Gillum (R)

Check out the dog whistle from Florida's newly-crowned Republican candidate for governor, Ron DeSantis, who says Floridians shouldn't "monkey this up" by electing his "articulate" Democratic opponent, Tallehasse Mayor Andrew Gillum, a black man.

Florida GOP gubernatorial candidate Ron DeSantis used the term 'monkey around' about his Black opponent Andrew Gillum pic.twitter.com/i2veCn8XzS

— NowThis (@nowthisnews) August 29, 2018

Now, racists have used the term "monkey" for decades to refer to black people.

DeSantis' campaign claims "monkey this up" is a phrase he uses all the time and it has nothing to do with race.

I've personally never heard the phrase in my life, and I tend to get around.

And what's with acknowledging Gillum as "articulate?"

#dogwhistle

Fox News apologized for DeSantis' comments a short time later.

The mayor of Tallehasse would be the first African-American to lead the state.  

Gillum clapped back with dignity:

Andrew Gillum's response to the remarks made by Ron DeSantis. pic.twitter.com/7Q4kMx52aO

— Red T Raccoon (@RedTRaccoon) August 29, 2018

No one really uses the expression “monkey this up,” even when they’re not running against a black man for governor It isn’t whether he intended that to be racist. It was racist. No walkback changes that. Nothing to add. https://t.co/Tr0GsJXUOx

— Jamil Smith (@JamilSmith) August 29, 2018