Ron DeSantis Delivers Delicious Opening Salvo Ahead of Eagerly Awaited Debate With Gavin Newsom

Well, it's finally official.

As RedState reported earlier, after much hemming, hawing, and blustering from the Newsom camp the much-anticipated debate between Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and California Gov. Gavin Newsom has been formally announced, with a date, time, location, and other specifics now reportedly ironed out.

For those who missed the news, the debate will be on Thursday, November 30th on Fox News, with host Sean Hannity moderating it during his hour-long program, which airs weeknights at 9 p.m. ET.

Though Newsom has repeatedly tried to use DeSantis to elevate his national (presidential?) profile for well over a year now, first with a bizarre ad buy in the Sunshine State back in June 2022, DeSantis has made it clear more than once that he will not be bullied by a guy who strangely is more preoccupied with what DeSantis is doing in Florida than with the needs of his own state.

But though the televised match-up between the two is a long two months away, DeSantis and his campaign are not wasting any time. On Monday after the announcement was made, they shared the news themselves in the form of a video, which contrasts the leadership styles and priorities of the two men who some political observers view as the futures of their respective political parties.

In it, you see California's rampant crime issues highlighted in comparison to news of crime dropping overall in Florida. You also see reports about the exodus of California residents to safer and more economically friendly states like Florida, along with stories about the Golden State's budget woes in contrast to Florida's.

The theme? Revival vs. Decline, with the word and picture placement saying it all.

Watch:

Decline is a choice and success is attainable. As President, I will lead America's revival.

I look forward to the opportunity to debate Gavin Newsom over our very different visions for the future of our country. pic.twitter.com/wuh0jRXFdg
— Ron DeSantis (@RonDeSantis) September 25, 2023

While DeSantis is, of course, an actual candidate for president, Newsom is a wannabe candidate who is positioning himself to be Joe Biden's replacement if needed, which has had some questioning the wisdom of DeSantis agreeing to Newsom's challenge from several months ago to debate him.

But as I've said before, Newsom vs. DeSantis is, in my opinion, a debate Americans deserve to see not just because it would shine sunlight on the two very different visions each one of them has for America but also because DeSantis is just the guy who could cut the “slick” Newsom down to size, and potentially damage Newsom's political ambitions in the process.

It would be a fascinating case study in stark political contrasts on live TV the likes of which we haven’t seen for some time.

Further, while DeSantis unapologetically stands by his record as governor and is a master at selling conservatism, Newsom tends to sugarcoat his and is fast and loose with the facts about what he’s done, and that’s something that would be easy enough to call out.

Perhaps even more so than the GOP debates, the debate between DeSantis and Newsom could be the make-or-break point for DeSantis' presidential aspirations. But as history has repeatedly shown us with DeSantis, he has become legendary for rising to the occasion, reading the room, and slicing right through the liberal spin to the ugly underneath.

I can't wait.