WATCH: Chris Cuomo flattens Corey Lewandowski arguing in support of 'common decency'

Corey Lewandowski went up against CNN's Chris Cuomo Wednesday in a discussion about Florida gubernatorial candidate Ron DeSantis. However, the conversation quickly turned to one about civility in politics.

Cuomo noted that he has people on the show he disagrees with frequently, but doesn't understand why any political debate should turn personal. He wondered why DeSantis continues to refuse to apologize for his racially charged statement that his black opponent could "monkey up" the Florida economy.

"He said monkey this up. I've never even heard that phrase before. I don't even know how it makes sense. 'Monkey this up,'" Cuomo said, noting he's never heard the phrase.

Cuomo asked Lewandowski if DeSantis should apologize for his comments.

"That's up to Ron to do if that's what he wants to do. But the point is the voters are going to have the opportunity in Florida to make a clear decision," Lewandowski said.

Lewandowski confessed he's gone on television, like DeSantis and said something he regrets. Presumably, the Fox News appearance where he said "womp womp" about an immigrant child with Down Syndrome. But, he said one walks them back and moves forward.

He said that voters should just focus on how great America is. However, Cuomo asked why there cannot be civility among the greatness.

"Why can't it be decent? I test you all the time. Sometimes you like it, sometimes you don't. I never come to you personally. Why? It's a battle of ideas," Cuomo said. "That's how I show respect to the discussion. Even if I don't like what I'm hearing. Even if I do. Why can't it be that way? We don't say monkey this up. We don't say if the GOP loses there will be violence to preachers."

He added, "Why can't you be all of those things of substance and also focus on style and be decent, be human, be civil to people, be kind, be compassionate? Why can't that be conservative?"

Watch the full exchange below: