Govs. DeSantis & Newsom To Face Off In Televised Debate

Governors Ron DeSantis (R-FL) and Gavin Newsom (D-CA) will face off in a 90min televised debate at 2100ET (1800PT, 1100JST), with the former in particular looking to bolster his standing with voters. Hosts Fox News are billing the event as "The Great Red vs. Blue State Debate", with DeSantis running for the Republican presidential nomination on a social conservative 'anti-woke' platform, while Newsom is seen by some as a potential candidate for the Democratic nomination should President Joe Biden not run in 2024.

• While broad expectations are for the 2024 presidential election do deliver the same candidates as 2020, this is not assured. Former President Donald Trump faces myriad legal issues that could impact his ability to run or his popularity with Republican voters. Biden on the other hand has to deal with a steady stream of media speculation regarding his age, which could impact his willingness to run for another term.
• As such, while the debate contains one man who at present is unlikely to win his party's nomination and one who is not openly running for the presidency, there is certainly a hypothetical scenario in which this debate is repeated come the general election.
• DeSantis will want to see some sort of polling or name-recognition bump from the event, given that Trump handily leads in all GOP primary polls and former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley has recorded a recent spike in support that has put pressure on DeSantis as the heir presumptive should Trump not run.