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California Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom challenged Florida Republican Governor Ron DeSantis to a debate ahead of November's gubernatorial elections—trolling him expertly in the process.
Both Newsom and DeSantis are future viable presidential candidates on opposite sides of the political aisle, a fact noted by veteran news anchor Dan Rather, who suggested Chris Licht—a newsman and producer who recently took the helm at CNN—should set up a "one-on-one" debate between the two men.
"Ratings I bet would be huge," said Rather, adding:
"Who would have the courage to show up?"
\u201cHere\u2019s an idea for Chris Licht, the new head of @CNN. Set up a debate \u2014 one-on-one \u2014 between @GavinNewsom and @RonDeSantisFL. Two governors of big states, potential presidential candidates. Prime time. Ratings I bet would be huge. Who would have the courage to show up?\u201d— Dan Rather (@Dan Rather) 1661533221
The idea intrigued Newsom.
He retweeted Rather's tweet and indicated he would be on board.
He also addressed DeSantis, saying he is "struggling, distracted, and busy playing politics with people's lives," a reference to a recent political stunt in which DeSantis shipped migrants who'd arrived in Florida off to Massachusetts without letting them know where they were going.
Newsom went even further, adding:
"Since you have only one overriding need—attention—let's take this up and debate."
"I'll bring my hair gel. You bring your hairspray."
"Name the time before Election Day."
\u201cHey @GovRonDeSantis, clearly you're struggling, distracted, and busy playing politics with people\u2019s lives. Since you have only one overriding need -- attention --let's take this up & debate. I\u2019ll bring my hair gel. You bring your hairspray. Name the time before Election Day. @CNN\u201d— Gavin Newsom (@Gavin Newsom) 1663367242
Social media users seemed to approve of the idea.
\u201cBring it on. Spread it wide.\u201d— Liberal Michael from SF (@Liberal Michael from SF) 1663393044
\u201cI'd even say do it on fox. You would annihilate him and that would be great for their viewers to see.\u201d— Jason West \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8 (@Jason West \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8) 1663437491
\u201cHair gel AND hair spray?!!! Omg, this is MY debate to moderate!!\u201d— mark mester (@mark mester) 1663374179
\u201c.@GavinNewsom you are a beast. This is how we do it in #California\u201d— Tami Stroud (@Tami Stroud) 1663434712
\u201cNewsom stepping it up & calling him out.\nI\u2019d watch!\nDesantis\u2026 crickets\u201d— PIXIE \ud83c\udf3a (@PIXIE \ud83c\udf3a) 1663449014
\u201cI\u2019m so here for this. Newsom would dog walk DeSantis.\u201d— Linda Childers (@Linda Childers) 1663376006
\u201cNewsom just called out Desantis and I'm here for it.\u201d— Hiking and Biking (@Hiking and Biking) 1663379817
\u201cI \u2764\ufe0f our Governor here in CA. @GavinNewsom may, or may not use hair gel, but @GovRonDeSantis is a Greaseball \ud83e\udd2e\u201d— MagdaleneStMichaels\u2122 (@MagdaleneStMichaels\u2122) 1663389777
Newsom recently criticized DeSantis, writing a letter imploring the Department of Justice (DOJ) to to investigate whether 50 migrants were lured to Martha's Vineyard based on false promises of employment.
\u201cWhat @GovRonDeSantis and @GregAbbott_TX are doing isn\u2019t clever, it\u2019s cruel.\n\nI\u2019m formally requesting the DOJ begin an immediate investigation into these inhumane efforts to use kids as political pawns.\u201d— Gavin Newsom (@Gavin Newsom) 1663270154
\u201cThis is absolutely sick -- profiteering off of the trafficking of children sounds a whole lot like the business of coyotes. https://t.co/ygYgEA1QCr\u201d— Gavin Newsom (@Gavin Newsom) 1663294739
Last week, DeSantis sparked outrage after he took responsibility for shipping about 50 migrants—including families with young children—to Massachusetts.
According to reports, the migrants were shipped from Texas after being told they were headed to Boston where they expected to receive expedited work permits. Instead, they were flown to Martha's Vineyard—a longtime New England summer vacation spot located just south of Cape Cod—and no one on the island nor in Massachusetts' Republican Governor's office had any advance notice of their arrival.
Islanders were praised for helping the asylum seekers, offering them food, shelter and healthcare.
DeSantis has been critical of Newsom in the past, particularly after Newsom ran ads in his state encouraging Florida residents to move to California. Newsom also drew DeSantis' ire after he announced he would donate $100,000 to Charlie Crist, DeSantis' Democratic opponent for governor of Florida.