Gov. Gav
in Newsom of California will debate Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida with the Fox News host Sean Hannity on Thursday. The stakes are high for both men who could potentially be leading candidates in the next presidential race.
humor. Mr. Newsom has had his ups and downs with California voters, and it is far from clear how a politician who looks like a Hollywood actor and often seems to be walking the line between sharp and glib \u2014 or self-assured and arrogant \u2014 will come across to a national audience. But he has proved an elusive target for his state's beleaguered Republican Party. He easily survived a recall effort in 2021, with support from 62 percent of voters, and was re-elected to a second term with 59 percent of the vote in 2022. \"I think Gavin Newsom is going to be the smooth-talking used-car salesman that he always is,\" said Jessica Millan Patterson, the chairwoman of the California Republican Party, suggesting what Mr. DeSantis should expect. \"Unfortunately, a lot of people still fall for that.\" \"The facts are on DeSantis's side,\" she said. \"What helps Newsom is his charm and his quote-unquote likability. It doesn't work for me, but it works for a lot of folks.\" Mr. DeSantis's agreement to debate someone who will not be on the Iowa ballot in January has baffled some Democrats as well as Republicans. \"We were all frankly surprised he took the offer,\" said Sean Clegg, a political adviser to Mr. Newsom. That said, the debate gives Mr. DeSantis an opportunity to draw attention to his candidacy at a time when Mr. Trump has overshadowed him and Ms. Haley threatens to eclipse him. And the debate could provide viewers a sneak preview of key 2028 players. \"It's going to be one of the more interesting events of 2023,\" Mr. Clegg said. \"It's a debate between two of the premier governors of the country. Exhibition games can be highly satisfying in their own ways
