The team supporting California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) seems perturbed by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ (R) acceptance of a debate challenge.
In a June interview on Fox News with Sean Hannity, Newsom expressed his readiness for a debate, stating he could engage for up to three hours and required no notes even with just one day’s notice.
The Newsom vs DeSantis debate is a trial ballon. If Newsom performs well, the Democrat machine will work remove Joe Biden from the ballot and make way for Newsom. Top Democrat donors are already talking to "replacement candidates" per CNN, telling them to be ready, and Newsom is…
— Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) August 5, 2023
During a recent interview with Hannity, DeSantis accepted the challenge, saying, “Let’s get it done. Just tell me when and where we’ll do it.”
Interestingly, Newsom’s proposed debate schedule to Fox News sets the first available date three months away, contradicting his earlier assertion of needing only “one day’s notice.”
In their separate proposals, both sides have agreed that Sean Hannity will serve as the moderator for the 90-minute debate. Neither governor will receive help from their staff, and they will be given equal speaking time. Both governors are expected to refrain from interrupting each other during the debate, and the closing statements will consist of two minutes for each governor.
Despite agreeing on several major factors, the two governors disagree on some very relevant details. DeSantis has put forward the idea of forgoing opening remarks and instead suggests that each governor submit a two-minute video to be played before the event.
Newsom prefers not to have an audience, whereas DeSantis proposes having one and suggests splitting tickets equally.
The two governors have also proposed different states for the event, with Georgia being the only state both sides have in common. While DeSantis proposed significantly earlier dates for the debate, he also included a late date that aligns with the earliest date Newsom offered.
Newsom’s team, seemingly uncomfortable with the prospect of a live audience, criticized DeSantis upon seeing his debate proposal.
A Newsom spokesperson made a statement, saying, “What a joke. Desantis’ counterproposal is littered with crutches to hide his insecurity and ineptitude – swapping opening statements with a hype video, cutting down the time he needs to be on stage, adding cheat notes and a cheering section.”
They continued to say DeSantis should be able to “stand on his own two feet.”
Many of the claims made by Newsom’s team were inaccurate. DeSantis actually suggested the same duration for the debate and identical two-minute closing statements. DeSantis didn’t include a provision for bringing in notes, and both sides would be permitted to have supporters attend the event, with an equal distribution of tickets.
