About a year ago, for unexplained reasons, California Governor Gavin Newsom put out an ad in the state of Florida attacking the Sunshine State’s Governor Ron DeSantis.
In the ad, Newsom tries his luck as a comedian, saying unlike Florida, there’s still freedom in the Golden State.
“We’re about to celebrate Independence Day – but Freedom is under attack by Republican leaders in states like Florida,” Newsom said in the ad. “Banning books. Restricting speech. Making it harder to vote. Criminalizing women and doctors. It’s time to stand up. Don’t let them take your freedom.”
You may need a second to let laughter subside.
DeSantis’ team wasted no time in firing back and owning Newsom in the process.
“The people of Florida pay no mind to the pathetic smear campaigns from the Democrats and their allies in the corporate media,” DeSantis campaign spokesman Dave Abrams responded at the time. “We’re too busy enjoying the freedom Gov. Ron DeSantis has created in the Sunshine State. Gavin Newsom might as well light a pile of cash on fire. Pass the popcorn for his desperate attempt to win back the California refugees who fled the hellhole he created in his state to come to Florida.”
But Newsom’s war on America’s Governor continued.
The California Democrat even threatened to charge DeSantis with kidnapping for flying illegal aliens out of Florida and to so-called “sanctuary cities.”
And in an interview with Sean Hannity last month, Newsom challenged DeSantis to a debate.
In his own appearance on Hannity, DeSantis gleefully accepted Newsom’s challenge, saying, “Absolutely, I’m game – Just tell me when and where, we’ll do it.”
🚨 BREAKING: Ron DeSantis accepts Gavin Newsom's debate challenge.
“Absolutely. I’m game.
Just tell me when and where. We’ll do it.”
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
WILL GAVIN NEWSOM SHOW UP? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/TAcZr7zyhE
— Proud Elephant 🇺🇸🦅 (@ProudElephantUS) August 3, 2023
However, Newsom has been silent ever since DeSantis called his apparent bluff.
TV News Now is reporting Newsom is using quarrels about the proposed format to back out of the high-interest debate.
NEW: Fox News’ debate between Ron DeSantis and Gavin Newsom, moderated by Sean Hannity, is in jeopardy as they reportedly disagree on terms:
“It sounds like Newsom is getting cold feet,” says District Media Group President @BeverlyHallberg. pic.twitter.com/szGoBrVDi6
— TV News Now (@TVNewsNow) August 7, 2023
“It sounds like Newsom is getting cold feet,” District Media Group President Beverly Hallberg told Fox & Friends First.
And The Hill is reporting the Newsom team is using DeSantis’ request for a live audience for the debate as an excuse to back out.
Apparently, Newsom will only debate if it’s in an empty room.
The debate could have been a huge win for DeSantis – who is in need of a positive viral moment to build momentum for his 2024 White House run.
It also likely would have been a massive L for Newsom and his hopes to eventually replace President Joe Biden on top of the Democrat Party’s 2024 presidential ticket.
Political Animal News will keep you up-to-date on any new developments in this ongoing story.
