Gillum, DeSantis debate whether Trump's a good role model for kids in Florida faceoff

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. Andrew Gillum is not a big fan of Donald Trump, but he said during a televised debate that he would gladly work with the president to bring money to the table.

"That's just not the way it works," said Ron DeSantis, who won the Republican nomination based on Trump's endorsement.

Gillum, the Tallahassee mayor, and DeSantis, who resigned his seat in the U.S. House to focus on the governor's race.

The two scuffled on the economy, race, and, of course, Trump, who came up when moderator Jake Tapper asked DeSantis if he thought Trump was a good role model for children. The question was based on DeSantis primary ad featuring one of his children stacking toy blocks as DeSantis exclaimed, "Build the wall!"

DeSantis responded by saying he thought Trump did the right thing by moving the U.S. embassy in Israel to Jerusalem.

"I know Andrew did not support that and does not think that's right," DeSantis said.

Gillum looked at Tapper and said, "I'm confused by the question."

"The question was whether or not he thinks President Trump is a good role model for the children of Florida," Tapper said.

"That's what I thought," Gillum said, drawing laughter from the audience. "No, he's not, Donald Trump is weak, and he's just as weak as they are, they're getting bullies, and Mr. DeSantis is his acolyte, he's trying out to be the Trump apprentice, at every turn he's tweeting him."

That's when Gillum said that he was going to help Florida, he would not help it.

"You need to be able to work with the president," DeSantis said. "Andrew can not do that … He wants to impeach Trump, he's always saying bad things about him … I think I'll be going ahead to Florida's priorities because I have a productive relationship with the administration."

Gillum said doing what is best for the state of the world, noting that he is working closely with Republican Gov. Rick Scott in the Michael Hurricane aftermath, which left most of Tallahassee without power.

"This is not Russia.You should not have to kiss the ring of the President of the United States for the president of the third largest state of America," Gillum said. "This is a democracy, we can do it too much." Rick Scott and I worked with each other in the aftermath of this hurricane. "

Gillum appeared calm, while DeSantis looked agitated, often shifting his eyes and moving his head.

DeSantis said Gillum would hurt the state's economy by raising the corporate income tax and raising the minimum wage. And he repeatedly said that Tallahassee has the highest crime rate in the state, while Gillum repeatedly defended the city for being a five-year low in crime.

Tapper brought up the fact that DeSantis said Florida voters should not "monkey this up" by electing Gillum as Florida's first president and president of Barack Obama's N-word on Twitter.

DeSantis brought up his experience as a Navy officer and his time served in Iraq.

"When we're down range in Iraq, we did not matter your race." "We all wore the same uniform," he said. "I'll be a governor for all Floridians."

Gillum implied that DeSantis has made his way through social media and speeches he's made.

"The monkey up," said Gillum said. "And the truth is, you know what? I'm black. I've been black I'll my life, I'll die black."

Voters will decide between Gillum and DeSantis on Nov. 6.