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The nationally televised debate between Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Thursday night went off the rails just minutes into it, with both candidates talking over each other almost immediately.
The first question posed was why the migration of people from blue state. More specifically, the exodus from California to Florida.
“You almost have to try to mess California up,” DeSantis began. “That’s what Gov. Newsom has done. They have failed because of his leftist policies.”
When it was Newsom’s turn on the topic, he instead opted to make an opening statement about an array of topics, including extolling the job of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.
He ended his opening monologue with this zinger:
“We do have one thing in common: Neither of us will be our party’s presidential candidate in 2024,” Newsom said.
When pressed by moderator Sean Hannity to answer the question, Newsom passed again before citing stats that ran afoul of the Census Bureau stats shown at the outset of the question.
DeSantis had two built-in advantages heading into the 90-minute debate titled, “DeSantis vs. Newsom: The Great Red vs. Blue State Debate.”
One, moderator Sean Hannity and Fox televising the debate. Hannity is expected to play it neutral but any leans are likely to go the Republican’s way.
“We’re under no illusions; this is going to be a two-on-one match with the ref in the bag for the home team,” said Nathan Click, a Newsom spokesman.
Second, DeSantis gets to aim at two targets — Newsom but also Biden. Newsom is expected to show he’s a team player among the Democrat hierarchy and defend the record and policy of the president. How long will Newsom spend extolling Biden if DeSantis is delivering body blows on both fronts while getting the edge in the battle of governors?
“Ron DeSantis will take this responsibility seriously and looks forward to sharing the stark contrast between his vision to revive our nation and Newsom’s blueprint for failure,” said DeSantis’ campaign manager James Uthmeier.
DeSantis also benefits from a little more elbow room without having to throw elbows with several other candidates. The fourth Republican debate is next week in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley recently turned down an opportunity for a 1-on-1 debate with DeSantis.
In this case, it was Newsom who first challenged DeSantis in September 2022. The pair have been sparring along the way ever since.
DeSantis has said Newsom’s leftist policies are driving Californians to Florida. He recently made a campaign ad in San Francisco, hitting Newsom for drug use and people defecating in the street. During a town hall with Newsmax, DeSantis Newsom for cleaning up the city for a visit from the “boss,” Chinese President Xi Jinping but leaving it a mess the rest of the time.
Newsom has called DeSantis a “small, pathetic man” for sending planeloads of migrants from the border to Sacramento, among other places. He said he’s investigating ways to bring kidnapping charges against DeSantis.
Mark Swanson | editorial.swanson@newsmax.com
Mark Swanson, a Newsmax writer and editor, has nearly three decades of experience covering news, culture and politics.