While Republican presidential candidates prepare for their first debate on Aug. 23, one contender may be gearing up for a sideshow: Ron DeSantis vs. Gavin Newsom.
The Florida Republican governor has accepted the challenge from his California Democratic counterpart for a debate on the differences between how GOP and Democratic states are governed.
“I’m game. Just tell me when and where,” DeSantis told Fox News host Sean Hannity on Wednesday.
He said in one respect the debate has already happened between California and Florida, citing an influx of new residents to Florida. “People have been voting on that. They have been voting on it with their feet.”
In a letter proposing debate terms, Newsom’s team suggested DeSantis has been less-than-honest about California policies and said he “welcomes the discussion on how Democratic policies are delivering real results for the American people.”
The two sides are talking about a debate in November to be televised by Fox News, with Hannity moderating.
The two mega-state governors have clashed over issues like border security, education, and crime.
Newsom challenged DeSantis to a debate back in September, after the Florida governor shipped nearly 50 Venezuelan migrants to Martha’s Vineyard.
In a tweet, Newsom told DeSantis, “Clearly you’re struggling, distracted, and busy playing politics with people’s lives.” The the well-coiffed Newsom also joked: “Since you have only one overriding need – attention – let’s take this up & debate. I’ll bring my hair gel. You bring your hairspray.”
Newsom has made no secret of the fact that he would like to run for president some day, but he has publicly ruled out running against the leader of the Democratic Party, President Joe Biden, in 2024.
DeSantis is already running for president, though he is far behind the front-running Donald Trump, despite the latter’s three indictments and other legal troubles.
In the meantime, DeSantis and other Republican presidential candidates are aiming for an Aug. 23 debate in Milwaukee – although Trump has repeatedly suggested he will not be there because he is so far ahead in the polls.
Trump aides are mocking DeSantis over the Newsom debate. Senior adviser Jason Miller compared it to college basketball’s National Invitation Tournament, which invites teams that do not qualify for NCAA championship tournament.
Posting a news clip about the DeSantis-Newsom showdown on the social media site X, Miller said: “Basically the NIT.”
