A Showdown Between DeSantis and Newsom: An Unofficial Presidential Match-Up

One wonders if the gubernatorial debate is a sign of an alternate reality or a preview of what lies ahead?

 Envision the scene: two of the US's most influential governors on the debate platform. Gavin Newsom of California, a Democrat, and Ron DeSantis of Florida, a Republican, contend for 90 minutes, each arguing why their respective state is the best of America and why their youthful, energetic politics are essential for the nation. Meanwhile, former President Donald Trump tweets in all capitals from his Mar-a-Lago armchair, having decided against running for a second term, while Joe Biden looks forward to retiring after his successful bridge to a new generation. Fox News moderator Sean Hannity does a fair job of staying impartial.

 It could have been a major television event for the 2024 presidential race, but instead Messrs DeSantis and Newsom will be featured on Fox News on the 30th of November. When questioned last month in Los Angeles about why viewers should watch a debate between a faltering presidential hopeful and an official who is not a contender, Newsom jokingly replied, "I don't know they should."

 Kristoffer Shields of the Eagleton Centre on the American Governor at Rutgers University asserts that the role of governors has evolved over the years. During the coronavirus pandemic, this transformation has become even more evident as governors have been providing regular updates to the public. As a result, they have become well-known throughout the country and have been receiving both praise and criticism.

 Mr Shields remarks that there are two approaches to this event: the jaundiced and the uncritical. Reporters are bound by a mandate to initially take the former point of view. Mr DeSantis is contending for the presidency and, as opposed to the earlier hypothesized situation, Mr Trump is beating him in the surveys by almost 50 points. Florida's governor is attempting to market the discussion with his Golden State opposite number as the next noteworthy occurrence in the challenge for the GOP nomination. Nonetheless, this time, differently in contrast to during the essential debates, he is the only individual from the Republican Party on the stage. He won't need to intrude on whatever quarrel Vivek Ramaswamy and Nikki Haley are having to get a say.

 The Californian governor is heavily entrenched in the national political arena. His battle to establish more stringent gun regulations in the Constitution is a difficult one, and he has set up his own PAC to advocate for Democrats residing in traditionally GOP states. Additionally, he is one of Joe Biden's most ardent advocates. However, if the necessity for an alternative Democratic candidate were to arise, it would not be shocking to see Mr. Newsom put his own name forward.

 The two governors have exchanged pointed words on matters such as gender identity, abortion and immigration. (At one point, Mr Newsom even jokingly threatened Mr DeSantis with kidnapping for supposedly transferring migrants to California.) The Fox News debate provides them with an opportunity to present their national profiles on television. All debates are political theater, but this one has the potential to be more like a fight in a cage, as two culture warriors battle it out.

 It would be unfair to regard the disagreement between California and Florida as trivial. The two states are the first and third most populous in the nation, with a combined population of 61 million. Therefore, the decisions made by Governors Newsom and DeSantis have an influence on almost one fifth of the US population.

 The power of California and Florida reach outside their respective boundaries. These two states have become symbols of divergent perspectives of America. They epitomize progressivism and counter-woke populism. Additionally, other states are basing their policies on these states. Seventeen states have adopted California's vehicle-emissions regulations because they are more rigorous compared to the federal government's standards. Furthermore, PEN America, a freedom-of-speech group, believes that a law passed in Florida to limit sex and gender education for minors has prompted the introduction of similar bills in more than two dozen other states.

 The stakes are high for both governors; should Governor DeSantis fall short of Governor Newsom's standard, his presidential prospects could be further damaged. Aware that California-bashing is a popular activity on Fox News and from DeSantis himself, Newsom is approaching the debate with caution. Indeed, when DeSantis addressed the California Republican Party's conference in September, he proclaimed that the "California model represents more American decline". According to Newsom, DeSantis is trying to "own the lib" and is promoting the idea that people are moving from California to Florida because of homelessness.

 Despite being used to hearing about the issues in Congress, many Americans may be taken aback to learn how much progress states are making. If either of the governors succeeds in impressing, it will not be in vain. Thus, the debate may be seen as a sign of what is yet to come, rather than a reminder of what could've been.

 The potential face-off between Governor DeSantis and Governor Newsom, while discussed as a possible presidential matchup, is not going to happen. This conversation was sparked by the publication of a piece in The Economist on November 26th, 2023.

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https://www.economist.com/united-states/2023/11/26/desantis-v-newsom-the-presidential-match-up-that-isnt