Chris Christie, former governor of New Jersey and a potential GOP presidential candidate, criticized Florida Governor Ron DeSantis for his response to the new slavery curriculum in Florida. Christie accused DeSantis of lacking leadership and trying to distance himself from the controversy. In an interview with CBS’s Margaret Brennan on Face the Nation, Christie stated that DeSantis’s claims of not being involved and not taking responsibility are not the words of a leader.
The dispute began when Vice President Kamala Harris referred to Florida’s new Black history education standards as propaganda. These standards are based on Florida’s controversial law, which mandates the teaching of race in an objective manner that does not seek to influence students. Among the guidelines that drew criticism is the requirement for teachers to instruct on how slaves developed skills for their personal benefit.
Christie argued that DeSantis initiated the controversy with the bill he signed and is now reluctant to accept responsibility for the consequences. He observed that DeSantis seemed uncomfortable when discussing the issue and accused him of using it for political advantage. According to Christie, DeSantis only began focusing on this topic after deciding to run for president and appealed to the right-wing voters.
Christie expressed concern about the division of the country into smaller factions and politicians exploiting these divisions to create conflicts. He urged people to focus on more significant issues such as runaway inflation and the failing education system rather than micro-managing the curriculum in schools. Christie emphasized the importance of addressing the declining test scores and the country’s competitiveness on a global level.
This dispute highlights a larger issue of how different politicians approach sensitive topics like race and history. While DeSantis seeks to mandate an objective approach to teaching slavery, critics argue that it risks whitewashing history. Christie’s remarks and criticism shine a light on the political tactics employed by potential presidential candidates and the importance of addressing pressing national issues rather than engaging in divisive debates.
