Reps. Jamaal Bowman (D-NY) and Byron Donalds (R-Fla.) engaged in a friendly back-and-forth outside the Capitol Constructing on Wednesday over how they think their preferred presidential candidates will fare within the 2024 election.
Donalds boasted that two of the GOP’s top candidates hail from the Sunshine State, while Bowman argued that President Biden – and even Michigan Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer – would “ kill each of them” in an electoral battle.
“To the gentleman from Latest York, man. Listen, it’s cool to have two people in my state that may very well be president. I don’t learn about Latest York,” Donalds told Bowman, initiating the controversy in front of a gaggle of reporters on the Capitol steps.
“Who in your state may very well be president? Who?” Bowman incredulously asked.
“Bulls–t. Come on now,” Donalds replied.
“DeSantis? DeSantis, doesn’t have a shot,” Bowman argued.
“There’s no way he may be president,” Bowman added.
Donalds, a former member of the Florida legislature, disagreed together with his House colleague’s assessment of Gov. Ron DeSantis and pushed back.
“My former colleagues within the legislature, Republican and Democrat, when all that stuff was coming up last 12 months, I called them. I said, tell me what’s happening. They were like, It’s really not that, but persons are trying to lift a fuss. I’ve had the conversations. It’s not true,” Donalds said.
Bowman then switched gears, shifting the subject of the conversation voting rights for ex-convicts.
“Why can’t those that have been incarcerated, who’re released, who’ve done their time, why can’t they be re-enfranchised and be allowed to vote?”
“They’re in our state,” Donalds insisted.
“No, they should not man!” Bowman replied.
“Jamaal, I voted for the bill. I used to be there after they drafted it,” Donalds replied.
After Bowman laughed off Donalds answer, he demanded to know what other presidential candidate from Florida Donalds was referring to.
“Who’s the second guy?” the Bronx lawmaker asked.
“Oh come on now. You already know that’s Trump and Ron,” Donalds informed him, referring to former President Donald Trump.
“Trump and Ron?” a shocked Bowman said, adding, “So, Trump claims Florida now. He don’t claim Latest York?” Bowman added.
“He been claiming Florida,” Donalds responded.
“Bye Felicia, bye Felicia!” joked Bowman.
“That’s what he said to Kathy. He told Kathy Hochul. He said, ‘I got to go,’” Donalds joked back, referring to Latest York’s Democratic governor.
“Each those dudes gonna get crushed,” Bowman proclaimed.
“Stop. By who? The person in 1600?” Donalds fired back.
“Gretchen Whitmer – if she desired to jump in – she would kill each of them. Secondly, Biden will kill each of them by them. Biden passed three bipartisan pieces of laws,” Bowman argued.
“You realize what, that’s like saying Josh Allen is best than Patrick Mahomes. Come on now. Tell that to anyone else,” replied Donalds, alluding to the talented NFL quarterbacks, who only considered one of whom, Mahomes, has won a Super Bowl.
Bowman then rattled off an inventory of what he believes are the 80-year-old president’s first-term accomplishments after claiming that “Biden will wipe the ground with DeSantis.”
“CHIPS Act, infrastructure bill, Safer Communities Act, historic investment in climate, $35 insulin,” Bowman name-dropped, despite voting against the bipartisan infrastructure bill himself.
Undeterred, Donalds responded with an inventory of Biden negatives: “High inflation, overrun southern border, fentanyl on everybody’s streets. I can do the identical thing.”
The spirited and courteous debate ended when Rep. Andre Carson (D-Ind.) walked up behind his two colleagues and embraced them.
“Here’s some handsome Black men!” Carson said as Donalds and Bowman erupted in laughter.
