California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis have agreed to face each other in a live televised debate later this year. While there are some challenges to pulling it off that are popping up, it would make history for sure.
It’s a strange match up. While they represent different parties, their jurisdictions are opposite sides of the country.
The pair are not seeking to take votes off each other, and Newsom has already declared his support for President Joe Biden thus ruling him out as a presidential candidate in 2024.
To the impartial observer, a debate like this could be seen as attention-seeking. That’s because it is, but it’s a move which could work in favor for either, or both, men in their political ambitions.
Ron’s Roll Of The Dice
Gov. DeSantis’ popularity among Republicans is falling. With main rival Donald Trump taking the headlines through his indictments, and his response to them boosting GOP support, the Florida Governor has been mostly out of the limelight besides his high-profile disputes with Disney.
DeSantis cannot just rely on Trump to fall foul of the legal system. He needs to make a name for himself outside of Florida by proving to Republicans that he can push conservative values on matters such as abortion, LGBTQ policies and crime.
For a man who now trails Trump by nearly 40 percentage points in the polls, DeSantis may feel he really has nothing to lose. His disappointing campaign is yet to resonate with voters, and his opponent’s lead is so big that support from withdrawn candidates would not be enough to secure the nomination in a head-to-head battle against Trump.
Quite clearly, DeSantis realizes that while a poor performance may lose some of the 16-17% of GOP supporters he holds, a strong performance will convince some of the 80%, who are currently looking elsewhere, to support him. It’s a risk worth taking.
His official reasoning, first reported by CNN, states: “Ron DeSantis is debating Gavin Newsom to highlight the choice facing American voters next year. The left wants America to follow the path of California’s decline — Ron DeSantis wants to reignite the American Dream, restore sanity, and ensure our nation’s best days are ahead.”
What About Gavin Newsom?
Gov. Newsom has even less to lose by agreeing to the debate. He’s made it clear he has no intention to run in 2024, but the Democratic presidential ticket will be wide open in 2028.
Newsom has been a vocal critic of both the Republican Party and the Democrats, the latter for not joining him in a more aggressive approach towards the GOP. “We’re getting crushed on narrative. We’re going to have to do better in terms of getting on the offense and stop being on the damn defense,” he told CBS News last year.
By debating a prospective future candidate, Newsom has the opportunity to rally support from Democrats outside California. A strong performance lays the foundations for a 2028 presidential campaign, benefiting both his own personal ambitions and those of his party.
Both men have agreed to the debate, although disputes remain over technical details such as the presence of a live studio audience.
No date is set, and there’s every chance it might not happen.
If it does, however, then both men will be feeling the pressure to put on a strong performance which could define their political futures.
Shay Bottomley is a British journalist based in Canada. He has written for the Western Standard, Maidenhead Advertiser, Slough Express, Windsor Express, Berkshire Live and Southend Echo, and has covered notable events including the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
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