Florida Governor's Race Starts with Racism Accusations.
BERMAN: A political earthquake in the primary elections overnight in Florida, and this evening, the aftershocks are just as strong. The Republican winner in last night's primary, Congressman Ron DeSantis, is a fervent supporter of President Trump. And this is what he had to say on Fox News about his Democratic opponent, Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum, who would be Florida's first African- American governor if elected.</s>RON DESANTIS (R), NOMINEE FOR FLORIDA GOVERNOR: Let's build off the success we've had on Governor Scott. The last thing we need to do is to monkey this up by trying to embrace a socialist agenda with huge tax increases and bankrupting the state.</s>BERMAN: So that phrase "monkey this up" set critics on fire. Many saying it amounted to a dog whistle of racism. Gillum himself reacted later on day as it happened on Fox News.</s>ANDREW GILLUM (D), NOMINEE FOR FLORIDA GOVERNOR: It's very clear that Mr. DeSantis is taking a page directly from the campaign manual of Donald Trump. But I think he's got another thing coming to him if he thinks that in today's day and age, Florida voters are going to respond to that level of derision and division. They're sick of it. What we're trying to offer in this race --</s>SHEPARD SMITH, FOX NEWS HOST: Was that racist or -- was that racist or a figment of speech?</s>GILLUM: Well, not the handbook of Donald Trump, they no longer do whistle calls. They're now using full bullhorns.</s>SMITH: And that was bullhorn?</s>GILLUM: And what I've got to say than is we've got to make sure that we stay focused I think on the issues that confront everyday people. I'm not going get down in the gutter with DeSantis and Trump. There is enough of that going on. I'm going try and stay high and try to talk about the North Star and what the future is for the state of Florida and the people of this state. I think that's what people want. They're just so sick of this.</s>BERMAN: So, Fox News anchor ultimately said on the air that the network did not condone the language DeSantis used and noted the congressman had clarified his statement. Obviously, the stage is set for dramatic and possibly polarizing showdown in November. Joining me now, former Trump campaign aide Michael Caputo, Amanda Carpenter and Marc Lamont Hill. So, Marc, the DeSantis campaign is denying that this was any kind of dog whistle. They say the congressman was, quote, obviously talking about Florida not making the wrong decision to embrace the socialist policies say that Andrew Gillum espouses. Do you buy that explanation from them?</s>MARC LAMONT HILL, CNN POLITICAL COMMENTATOR: I do not. This is a classic strategy where you throw out something like this which will anger people, which will outrage people, which will insult people. And then when we respond, as we're supposed to, the other side, those who are supportive of him come out in defense of him. It's really a way to rally his own base around racism. And as the mayor said, it's not even a dog whistle at this point. It's a bullhorn. The relationship that's often asserted between black people and monkeys in white supremacists' logic is one that's deeply know, it's well-known. And very rarely do people use phrases like "monkey it up" in everyday speech.</s>BERMAN: Michael Caputo, should Congressman DeSantis have known better?</s>MICHAEL CAPUTO, FORMER TRUMP CAMPAIGN AIDE: Oh, I suspect -- you know, listen, Andrew Gillum, it surprised everyone. He shocked the world with his come-from-behind victory. I don't think that Congressman DeSantis has faced off against a candidate as promising as Andrew Gillum. I think he made a mistake with his words. I don't believe for a second that Ron DeSantis is a racist nor that he uses a racist coded language. I think that's a tactic of the left and the supporters of Andrew Gillum and the opponents of Ron DeSantis to muck this up.</s>BERMAN: Amanda, you know you're in trouble, Amanda, when Fox News comes on not long after you say something and knows that we do not condone this language. And I'll also note that DeSantis campaign hasn't apologized for it yet.</s>AMANDA CARPENTER, FORMER COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR FOR SEN. TED CRUZ: Yes. The DeSantis campaign said anyone who would characterize this as racist is acting absurd. Well, the fact that Fox News had to issue a statement said that they will not condone that language tells you something, that it's not absurd, that it is offensive, that the network that gave this candidate millions of dollars in free air time is putting him in the time-out box for a little while. And here's a thing. Ron DeSantis is a smart, educated man. He went to Yale undergrad, Harvard law, became a JAG lawyer in the Navy. He knows how to use language. So, that's where I'm kind of stuck on this, because I think he does know better. And even if it were a mistake show, he should be smart enough to try to repair it. And here's what I think is really sad. He is a good credible candidate with a great story that is turning himself into kind of a carbon copy of Trump. If you go on his website, it's just pictures of him and Trump. I've been endorsed by Trump. And he's clearly trying to ride Trump's coattails into the general election, where I think he would be a better stand alone candidate. And if he is going to tie himself to the Trump train, you know, if it wrecks, you know, that just makes it all the easier for interest Democrats.</s>BERMAN: Marc, how much of a factor do you think race will be in this election?</s>HILL: I think it will be a huge factor. I don't think it will be the only factor. What we've seen over the last 24 hours is that this is a populist election. In many ways, this is like a proxy battle between Trump and perhaps Bernie Sanders in terms of values. And so, I think, ultimately, Florida voters are going to want someone who has the right values, who has the right vision for the state. But very clearly, Republicans know that they can win this race with heavy turnout. One of the ways to rally that Trump base to turn out in November is by pushing the race button, by stoking the racial fire and by forcing people on the left to react in the way that we did in the last 24 hours. So, it's a very careful strategy. That's why it's important for people to not just react, but also vote.</s>BERMAN: Hey, Michael, what's wrong with saying sorry? Hey, I didn't mean that I'm sorry if anyone perceived that it way? And the second part of that question I suppose would be, is this the general election launch that you think DeSantis' campaign was hoping for?</s>CAPUTO: Of course not. I think DeSantis campaign lost its first battle today in the general election. It won't be the last one they lose against Andrew Gillum. He is a strong candidate. Let me tell you something. In Florida, where the Democrats and the general need to get young people and African Americans out, running an established politician who is African-American and young is a pretty good way to do it. So, he actually -- DeSantis faces a more difficult race than he would have say if another Democrat had won. But in my mind, the socialism that is behind Andrew Gillum's policies, the idea that he is the first and the highest ranking person out there calling for impeachment of the president, those are themes that are not going to fly in Florida, especially when a goodly -- a double- digit number of people who have escaped from socialism in the western hemisphere have come to Florida will vote against it. But in addition, I think the people of Florida are smart enough to understand that this is a ploy where the left, including Andrew Gillum, are trying to accuse racism where it just doesn't exist.</s>BERMAN: Amanda, you want to weigh in there?</s>CARPENTER: Yes. I do think the national component to this gubernatorial election is interesting and not good at all for Florida voters. If you're scanning the headlines to learn about these candidates today, you would learn that one is for impeachment, the other is against the rigged witch-hunt. You know, one is for Medicare for all. The other is for repealing Obamacare. But these are people who are running for governor. You know, where is the talk about the toxic green slime washing up on Florida shore or the people being shot up all over the place in the state of Florida? It seems to me this race is becoming so nationalized, they're both taking the ball off state issues, and that's not a good strategy for either of them to win.</s>BERMAN: I want to make one more note and we're going to have to end this segment here. Michael Caputo said that Andrew Gillum is a socialist, he does not call himself a Democratic socialist. There are plenty of candidates around the country who are. He does not adopt that label. Michael Caputo, Amanda Carpenter, Marc Lamont Hill, great to have you with us tonight. I do appreciate it. All right. Coming up, the day after Puerto Rico said the death toll from Hurricane Maria is nearly 3,000. The President was asked about the government's response to the natural disaster that killed so many Americans. The President said, quote, "We did a fantastic job in Puerto Rico". We're keeping them honest on that claim, next.