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You are here: Home / 2024 Elections / DeSantis – Newsom Debate

DeSantis – Newsom Debate

by Betty Cracker|  August 3, 20232:57 pm| 95 Comments

This post is in: 2024 Elections, Open Threads, Politics, Republican Stupidity

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I don’t like this for several reasons, but it looks like it’s happening:

Ron DeSantis agrees to debate Gavin Newsom on Fox News

Govs. Ron DeSantis and Gavin Newsom have tentatively agreed to debate — one hosted by Fox News…

A showdown between the two seemed unlikely as DeSantis ramped up his presidential campaign. But Newsom still has spent months trying to entice his counterpart into joining him on a stage.

On Wednesday, DeSantis agreed, telling Fox News’ Sean Hannity: “Absolutely I’m game. Just tell me when and where.”

An aide to Newsom told POLITICO that the governor was also in. Newsom’s office had sent a formal request offer to Fox News last week with proposed debate dates of Nov. 8 or Nov. 10. That request called for Hannity to serve as the sole moderator for a 90-minute forum on Fox News that would not include an in-studio audience and would air live.

“Desantis should put up or shut up. Anything else is just games,” the aide said.

It makes sense that DeSunkus would grasp at anvils — drowning man is desperate. But what is Newsom playing at here?

Newsom seems like a sharp guy, and I’ve cheered his attacks on DeSantis on social media. He was 100% justified since DeSantis frequently lies about California in an attempt to put his own shitty performance as Florida’s governor in a better light.

IIRC, Newsom ably debunked Rancid DeMeatball’s lies about the two states’ COVID death toll and the educational and economic fallout. DeSantis seems to be a pretty terrible debater from what little I’ve seen of him onstage.

But personally, I don’t think any Democrat should appear on Fox News. Ever. Even people like Pete Buttigieg, who is notably great at rebutting the network’s stable of liars. To appear on Fox is to lend credibility to the lie that it’s a legitimate news network and help it sell ads.

If I ran the zoo, I’d have used the occasion of the network’s nearly $1 billion settlement for spreading lies about voting machines to rescind its employees’ White House press credentials. Let them shriek like scalded gerbils about being censored — when do they not?

Fox News is bad for America, period. So don’t help them.

Politico claims Newsom’s team specified that Sean Hannity should serve as debate moderator. I assume that’s because Newsom knows Hannity has the intellectual heft and strategic acumen of a pool noodle.

But not everyone who works at Fox News is a literal blockhead like Hannity, and you can bet your ass the network’s most able propagandists will do everything they can to sandbag Newsom, including slanting the questions, giving them to DeSantis in advance and helping him memorize talking points.

Anyhoo, seems like a bad idea to me.

Open thread.

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Reader Interactions

95Comments

  1. 1.

    Alison Rose

    August 3, 2023 at 2:59 pm

    I mean…all I can think is he’s looking ahead to 2028, knowing that DeSantis is not going to be the nominee next year and assuming he’ll try again four years later. And it’s pretty clear Newsom is also thinking of running in 2028. But it does seem a little odd to do this now…although I will LOVE seeing Newsom go after him, especially since he’s about 50 IQ points above Ronnie.

  2. 2.

    Deputinize Eurasia from the Kuriles to St Petersburg

    August 3, 2023 at 3:00 pm

    It feels foolish to me. It’ll normalize the views of DeSanctimonious, which is why he’s been shrieking “debate me, bro” like Donald Sutherland at the end of “Invasion of the Body Snatchers”.

  3. 3.

    Alison Rose

    August 3, 2023 at 3:03 pm

    @Deputinize Eurasia from the Kuriles to St Petersburg: Eh, Fox is already normalizing his views. Newsom would have the chance (if Hannity lets him speak for more than three seconds) to counter them with actual facts.

  4. 4.

    cain

    August 3, 2023 at 3:04 pm

    For me, I feel like it should be just like in Rocky V when Rocky wen to U.S.S.R. and kicked Ivan Drago’s ass and the Russian leadership clapped and applauded.

    Going to into enemy territory and kicking their people’s asses is good for us – because it shows that we’re fucking dangerous, don’t estimate us. The problem for htem is that they are a bunch of clowns who are weak and can’t show up anywhere but on Fox News. They can’t handle any kind of real debate because they are sunk in lies and conspiracy and are corrupt as fuck.

    ETA and just like that.. #4! This day is just getting better and better.

  5. 5.

    Alison Rose

    August 3, 2023 at 3:07 pm

    @cain: Oh, hang on, hang on. A physical fight? Fuck yeah. Newsom is ten years older than Ronnie (which is hard to believe, looking at the two of them) but it’s pretty clear he’s in better shape. THAT I would pay cash money for.

  6. 6.

    Jim, Foolish Literalist

    August 3, 2023 at 3:08 pm

    I’ll predict this will be a fart in a hurricane, and no one will remember it in six weeks, but I guess there is some chance of a benefit, or cost, for Newsom, and huge downside risk for DeSantis. As you say he’s not quick on his feet, not likable, not charismatic and seems to have a real instinct for digging deeper when he’s painted himself into a hole (forget it, I’m rolling).

    Mostly I’m reminded of (and bearing in mind that DougJ once said the angriest pushback he ever got in these threads was when he mocked Jon Stewart) of the announcement of the Rally About Nothing.

    (I sat down and turned on MSNBC on my phone to check if there were any top of the hour news, and I am informed trump’s plane has landed. Did they have flight-tracking and live video of the landing like they did for his last indictment)

    ETA: @Alison Rose: whenever I am reminded that RdS is only 44, I’m gobsmacked afresh all over again.

  7. 7.

    Bunter

    August 3, 2023 at 3:11 pm

    I cannot think how DeSantis expects to come out ahead. I’m getting Kennedy/Nixon debate vibes off this. Even for the Fox swamp viewers, there’s no getting around the fact that Newsom is objectively more handsome (and behaves like a real human) than DeSantis. How does he think this benefits him (RDS)?

  8. 8.

    trollhattan

    August 3, 2023 at 3:13 pm

    Christ, I hope Gav knows what he’s doing. The thing itself seems like wrestling a pig but doing it on Fox means entering the pig’s stye to do it. I do NOT trust Fox to do anything on the level. Newsom is not naive about things media-related, but not so good at selecting a spouse from the same media.

    OTOH the spectacle of Ronny shouting “Woke-woke-woke-woke” will spawn ten-thousand Tick-tocks.

  9. 9.

    Yarrow

    August 3, 2023 at 3:13 pm

    NBC News has broken in for a Special Report on T’s motorcade driving to the courthouse.

  10. 10.

    JML

    August 3, 2023 at 3:14 pm

    @Alison Rose: I think you have this pegged. Newsom is trying to elevate his profile for a possible run in 2028. This is about courting a donor network to me.

  11. 11.

    Alison Rose

    August 3, 2023 at 3:14 pm

    @Jim, Foolish Literalist: Like I said the other day, a large part of my brain refuses to believe that.

  12. 12.

    greenergood

    August 3, 2023 at 3:15 pm

    Not sure about this Newsom ‘debate’: a) because is it really a debate, or just a MSM ploy? Part of me just says Bleh! Part of me says ‘Nail the orange fucker’ – my cat, who I regard as the arbiter (esp. biter) says ‘Meh’ , so I’ll  wait until post-indincting-y stuff  later tonight, being 5 hours ahead of you – which means I’ve got to stay up past my bedtime. Happy Great Big Moon to you in the US last night. Too cloudy last night – we don’t get another chance until 30 August – fingers crossed the sky may be clear for the second Big Moon that night.

  13. 13.

    M31

    August 3, 2023 at 3:17 pm

    Has Trump been to DC since Jan 2021? I hope he looks out the window of his stupid car and sees the Whitehouse and the Capitol and all these places he’ll never be in again and feels like a loser

  14. 14.

    Scout211

    August 3, 2023 at 3:17 pm

    I predict that the DeSantis team will start about a month before the debate with conditions that Hannity will enthusiastically approve but that are not in the original agreement that Newsom approved. The DeSantis team will push the idea that Newsom is backing down and Newsom will push the idea that DeSantis can’t handle the original terms.

    Newsom would be great in a debate. DeSantis would not be great but Hannity would try to help him.

    My predictions are usually wrong, but I predict there will not be a debate.

  15. 15.

    Baud

    August 3, 2023 at 3:17 pm

    Interesting if Newsom can pull it off. Agree that all the real risk is with DeSantis.

  16. 16.

    Yarrow

    August 3, 2023 at 3:17 pm

    Has anyone seen pigs flying? Some channel called NBC Now (?) just brought in Chuck Todd to offer his opinion. He said (paraphrasing, we shouldn’t be here and wouldn’t except for lack of leadership by Republicans and Mitch McConnell during the second impeachment in the Senate. And there was more where he said Republicans aren’t doing what they should and they’re the problem.

    Maybe he’s got NTFLG since he’s leaving MTP?

  17. 17.

    Alison Rose

    August 3, 2023 at 3:17 pm

    @trollhattan:

    not so good at selecting a spouse from the same media

    If this is a reference to his first marriage, they got married in 2001 and split five years later. She was a completely different person then than she is now. Yes, she was more conservative than him, but she wasn’t the screeching toxic harpy she is now.

  18. 18.

    trollhattan

    August 3, 2023 at 3:21 pm

    @Alison Rose: ​Gav’s 6’3″, 200 pounds and was a left handed pitcher on a sports scholarship in college.

    Puddn’ boots would go down in 30.

  19. 19.

    NotMax

    August 3, 2023 at 3:21 pm

    How many think DeSantis’ campaign will manage to limp as far as November?

    Anyone? Bueller?

  20. 20.

    Alison Rose

    August 3, 2023 at 3:24 pm

    @trollhattan: And it would be glorious.

  21. 21.

    trollhattan

    August 3, 2023 at 3:24 pm

    @Alison Rose: ​
    The Charlie Rose interview with the two is startling considering the Guilfoyle of today–which was/is the “real” Kimmy?

    That she was a prosecutor who branched out into television legal commentary has me thinking the teevee stints unlocked the real critter. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

  22. 22.

    Jim, Foolish Literalist

    August 3, 2023 at 3:25 pm

    @Alison Rose: Guilfoyle? I gather she and Junior are no longer keeping company, but she’s still on the payroll?

    Gotta say I liked them as a couple, because it was unlikely they would make anymore little trumps.

  23. 23.

    Yarrow

    August 3, 2023 at 3:28 pm

    What’s the purpose of this debate? Newsom wants it? He’s not running for president so it seems really weird.

    Very few Dems can go on Fox News and have it be a good thing for them and Democrats. Mayor Pete can and that’s about it. I don’t know if Newsom is in that group.

    Seems bad for DeSantis. He’s debating a guy who isn’t running for anything. Why would he do that? He’s already slid in the polls. Now he’s debating random Dem Governors who aren’t running for president? Why? Looks desperate.

  24. 24.

    Shalimar

    August 3, 2023 at 3:30 pm

    @Jim, Foolish Literalist: Junior’s “job” the last 6 years has been traveling around the country speaking at every rightwing event that will have him.  I would bet money there are groupies at every stop, and he’s too dumb to use protection.  There will be a lot of future children.

  25. 25.

    trollhattan

    August 3, 2023 at 3:30 pm

    @Scout211: Hannity has zero capacity for anything resembling fairness in handling a boff-sides discussion (I won’t dignify it by calling it a debate) and the staging and lighting will of course be crafted to make Puddin’ look his, uh, best, including some Kari Lake Lens Gauze®. They’ll probably uplight Newsom with ghoul lighting, green, and use an 8k camera revealing every pore.

  26. 26.

    Betty Cracker

    August 3, 2023 at 3:30 pm

    @Yarrow: The most infuriating thing about Todd (apart from the bangs) is that he knows better.

    Also, I don’t think it’s ever a good thing for Dems when someone from the party goes on Fox News, even if they school the liars to their faces. We might enjoy the clip later, but the people watching in real time are right-wingers, or they wouldn’t be watching Fox. The Fox bots hack the clips to bits and recycle it on social media to make the Dems look clueless. Participating in their “we’re a real news network” charade serves Murdoch and the Repubs, not the country or the Dems.

  27. 27.

    cain

    August 3, 2023 at 3:32 pm

    @Jim, Foolish Literalist: There is no indication they have split.

  28. 28.

    OverTwistWillie

    August 3, 2023 at 3:33 pm

    @Yarrow:

    Why? Looks desperate.

     

    That’s our Ronnie!

  29. 29.

    NotMax

    August 3, 2023 at 3:36 pm

    @Betty Cracker

    Todd is a modern Exhibit A for the Peter Principle.

  30. 30.

    mrmoshpotato

    August 3, 2023 at 3:36 pm

    But what is Newsom playing at here?

    Yeah.  Exactly.  What’s the upside of Newson “debating” a moronic fascist?

  31. 31.

    Baud

    August 3, 2023 at 3:38 pm

    Would be more interesting if Newsom debated DeSantis’s wife.

  32. 32.

    Kay

    August 3, 2023 at 3:38 pm

    I read that after a Democrat appears on FOX all the FOX employees “quote” (lie about) the Democrat, play deceptive clips, jeer at the Democrat, etc.

    So the small part we see looks normal – the 4 minutes with Mayor Pete or Bernie-  but unless you’re sticking around for 2 hours after you’re not getting what Fox viewers are getting. They’re getting “let’s all shit on the Democrat”.

    They’re not journalists. They’re entertainers. The Democrat is the chew toy. All we’re doing going on there is lining their pockets. Hannity has a private plane. Let’s not buy him another.

  33. 33.

    Jim, Foolish Literalist

    August 3, 2023 at 3:38 pm

    @Shalimar: LOL!

    and.. ew!

    maybe it all ends in tears and, It’s okay, it happens to all guys… no, I won’t tell anybody….

  34. 34.

    Another Scott

    August 3, 2023 at 3:38 pm

    This seems consistent with his setting up a PAC to go after the reactionary governments in the red states.

    OUR MISSION
    Save this Democracy

    We believe that all patriotic Americans must go on offense in red states as well as blue states, bringing the fight to statehouses, local communities, electoral battlegrounds, and our nation’s capitol to save the great American experiment in democracy.

    I think Newsom knows what he’s doing, and we have to be willing to speak up where voters are. Even if pudding fingers has a friendly forum here he’s taking a big risk.

    We’ll see.

    (I don’t plan to watch, of course.)

    Cheers,
    Scott.

  35. 35.

    Yarrow

    August 3, 2023 at 3:39 pm

    @Betty Cracker:  He does. I remember during the 2008 campaign he seemed a lot better at being an actual reporter. Some people were kind of excited when he got the MTP job because they thought he’d be better than Dancin’ Dave Gregory. But no….

  36. 36.

    Scout211

    August 3, 2023 at 3:39 pm

    @Yarrow: What’s the purpose of this debate? Newsom wants it? He’s not running for president so it seems really weird.

    It’s no secret that Newsom has higher office in his sights. As some have already mentioned, he needs a national presence and this may be part of his efforts to raise his profile nationally. He has taken on DeSantis’ discriminatory policies for the past year, making speeches and going on the news criticizing those laws and practices. He has also said that national Democrats need to speak louder to decry these new discriminatory laws. I think this is his way to get noticed nationally.

  37. 37.

    Shalimar

    August 3, 2023 at 3:40 pm

    @trollhattan: Pre-2022 Re-election DeSantis?  Sure, Fox loved him.  November of this year DeSantis?  If he gets his ass kicked in the Republican debates before then, Fox has no interest in propping him up against Newsom.  I could even see Hannity asking questions that make it obvious that Texas is better than Florida or California.

  38. 38.

    Yarrow

    August 3, 2023 at 3:42 pm

    @Shalimar:  I agree with this. I think DeSantis is stupid for doing it. Hannity is going to chew him up and spit him out because Murdoch has soured on him.

  39. 39.

    Sure Lurkalot

    August 3, 2023 at 3:43 pm

    @Alison Rose: Seriously? I’m never going to see the appeal of watching any 2 fukken guys fighting, much less 2 besuited politicians in their 40’s and 50’s or 2 edgelords. Rather watch the paint dry.

  40. 40.

    HumboldtBlue

    August 3, 2023 at 3:44 pm

    I don’t like the idea, but as was pointed out above, by next July no one will remember it other than through memes and clips.

    Gavin is definitely running in 2028 and that sets up a fight with another former California big-wig, one Kamala Harris.

  41. 41.

    Baud

    August 3, 2023 at 3:44 pm

    I’m looking forward to hearing Newsom’s views on Hunter Biden’s laptop.

  42. 42.

    Trivia Man

    August 3, 2023 at 3:45 pm

    @NotMax: I think his presidential hopes will be dead as a coffin mail. But he’s still gov and anything we can do to debunk the “success” of Florida will help every state in danger of heeding that siren song.

  43. 43.

    Alison Rose

    August 3, 2023 at 3:46 pm

    @trollhattan: Yeah, I’ve seen that interview. It’s like she was bodysnatched or something, because while she discusses having some more conservatives views than Newsom, she sounds sane and normal. I guess it was soon after (or maybe soon before) their split that she discovered the wonders of cocaine.

  44. 44.

    Baud

    August 3, 2023 at 3:46 pm

    @Kay:

    They would do that same thing with other clips if no Dems went on Fox though. Rush Limbaugh used to do it, and no one went on his show.

  45. 45.

    Yarrow

    August 3, 2023 at 3:46 pm

    @Scout211:  I agree with his goal of speaking up against the discriminatory laws. I don’t know that this debate is a good way to go about it. But if it gets him some national attention that may serve his ends.

    If DeSantis backs out it’s going to make him look weak. But debating a non-candidate is also going to make him look weak. His best option would have been to say, “I’m too focused on my job as Governor of Florida to debate someone who isn’t running for anything” or something like that. But he’s not good enough at politics to do that..

  46. 46.

    Kay

    August 3, 2023 at 3:47 pm

    To the extent that the “persuadable” Fox audience exists, it is small and difficult to reach through the network itself. Fox appearances do offer Democrats the opportunity to speak directly to the network’s viewers. But once they’re off the air, Fox’s hosts, who have a much more extensive and durable relationship with that audience, get to rebut everything they’ve said for hours on end. That’s what happened immediately after each of Buttigieg’s Fox town halls – the rest of the network went to work using clips of his appearances to smear him to their viewers. The same thing happened after Sen. Bernie Sanders’ (I-VT) Fox town hall.

  47. 47.

    OverTwistWillie

    August 3, 2023 at 3:48 pm

    DeSantis agreed, telling Fox News’ Sean Hannity: “Absolutely I’m game. Just tell me when and where.”

    In that instant, his wife, and whatever hangers-on that are still getting paid, shouted “NO!” at the TV.

  48. 48.

    Alison Rose

    August 3, 2023 at 3:48 pm

    @Sure Lurkalot: I’m generally turned off by violent displays. But would I love seeing TIFG or Puddin’ Boots get decked? INDEED. Like that video of Richard Spencer getting socked on a street corner.

  49. 49.

    R'Chard

    August 3, 2023 at 3:48 pm

    I do not like validating DeSadist’s POV by debating it, as though it had merit or something. Nope. TV will be off at my house.

    Gavin will smear TF out of him, rationally. But it’s not the rational people that we need to convince.

  50. 50.

    Kay

    August 3, 2023 at 3:48 pm

    I do like Newsom though. I hope he runs next time.

  51. 51.

    Almost Retired

    August 3, 2023 at 3:50 pm

    I would totally watch this, even if turning the channel to Fox would make my satellite dish weep.

    DeSantis obviously wants to jump up and down and make up statistics about the success of Florida and draw a contrast to the massive wave of woke street pooping sweeping California.

    Newsom will shake his head and gently chuckle and then demolish the oily little crapgnome with actual facts and accomplishments.  And charm.

    Not that Newsom is going to get any converts from Fox viewers, but he may raise his profile with the plebians who tuned in to Fox just this once for the spectacle.

  52. 52.

    MattF

    August 3, 2023 at 3:52 pm

    If Newsom is looking ahead to 2028, he’s going to have to engage with Fox News and with RWers at some point. I’d think that now is as good a time as any to start doing that. In the worst case it would be a ‘learning experience’, and in any better case, he’ll damage DeSantis.

  53. 53.

    JPL

    August 3, 2023 at 3:53 pm

    @Baud: Imagine the questions Fox will ask.   Ninety percent of the time will be on San Francisco.

  54. 54.

    trollhattan

    August 3, 2023 at 3:53 pm

    @Shalimar: Agree Fox has probably ascertained the only path DeSantis has is a Trump sentencing or death, but Newsom represents a dangerous enemy and Must be Made to Look Bad.

  55. 55.

    trollhattan

    August 3, 2023 at 3:57 pm

    @Kay: He’ll be termed out and with time on his hands, who knows? I’d place him near to the top of the Dem’s bench, and what he’s been doing with his national efforts seems primarily to be in support of the national party as opposed to flogging for Gavin. The exposure doesn’t hurt, of course.

  56. 56.

    Alison Rose

    August 3, 2023 at 3:58 pm

    @JPL: Where he hasn’t held office in over a decade. Not that they will care about that.

  57. 57.

    zhena gogolia

    August 3, 2023 at 3:58 pm

    @Yarrow: Newsom can do it, he already has.

  58. 58.

    Jim, Foolish Literalist

    August 3, 2023 at 3:58 pm

    @trollhattan: if the actuarial tables actually do catch up with trump in the next 14 months, and I am not saying I support that, look for a stampede of governors to leave Flat Ronnie in the dust (Youngkin, Kemp, Sununu, Hogan, that other one, and maybe those two) as well as the Resurgence of the Geldings of ’16– Rubio, Cruz, maybe Kasich depending on his age?– as well as Cotton, Hawley and why not Marsha Blackburn
    I guess that stampede would get small as teh election gets closer, and the billionaires get more selective about their wagers

    but that’s all just typed balloon juice….

  59. 59.

    Barbara

    August 3, 2023 at 4:01 pm

    It feels like a prelude to 2028.

  60. 60.

    JoyceH

    August 3, 2023 at 4:01 pm

    I would like to see someone ask DeSantis why he thought it a good idea to say that as President he would “start slitting throats on day one”.

  61. 61.

    geg6

    August 3, 2023 at 4:01 pm

    @Another Scott:

    I would agree with you regarding what Newsom’s intent is.  I read about his PAC a week or two ago.  I tend to think it’s a lost cause, but that the effort has to be made if for no other reason that any Dems in those red states need to hear that they aren’t alone and forgotten by the party’s leaders.  And Gavin is a leader.

  62. 62.

    NotMax

    August 3, 2023 at 4:06 pm

    @Barbara

    Greene/Gaetz ’28.

    “5G is a woke conspiracy to sap our precious bodily fluids. Vote for 2G!”
    //

  63. 63.

    Cameron

    August 3, 2023 at 4:08 pm

    I don’t get Newsom.  VP Harris knew better than to get on a stage with the Pudding Strangler.  No upside whatsoever.

  64. 64.

    Betty Cracker

    August 3, 2023 at 4:09 pm

    @Another Scott: I like the idea of Dems going on offense “in red states as well as blue states.” As a Dem who lives in a red state, I appreciate it when Dems confront our shitty governor. I also agree DeSantis is unlikely to benefit, but that’s because he’s terrible — he’ll certainly have every possible assist from the network. That’s the part that sticks in my craw: the venue. Newsom won’t be reaching gettable voters on Fox News. It exists to pump up Repubs and shit on Dems.

  65. 65.

    Jim, Foolish Literalist

    August 3, 2023 at 4:13 pm

    @Cameron: I believe when this came up during Newsom’s interview with Hannity– June 12, I googled it– De Santis had been slagging California and claiming to be the better gov of the better state, probably how he won Covid, etc. I don’t know who proposed a debate, Hannity or Newsom, but I’d bet Hannithy.

  66. 66.

    Alison Rose

    August 3, 2023 at 4:14 pm

    @Cameron: She would be there as a representative of the Biden admin, and I’m sure they are not interested in that. Newsom would only be there as and for himself. Sure, maybe on behalf of the Democratic Party, but not officially.

  67. 67.

    Yarrow

    August 3, 2023 at 4:14 pm

    @Betty Cracker:

    he’ll certainly have every possible assist from the network.

    Maybe not. Rupert may see this as a way to get rid of DeSantis. Give him a platform and help him fail.

  68. 68.

    trollhattan

    August 3, 2023 at 4:14 pm

    @Jim, Foolish Literalist: 
    ​”Governor DeSantis, great news! Polling indicated your name recognition is off the charts.”
    “That’s good, right?”
    “Well…”
    He’s really just a Rick Santorum reboot, only less Jesusy and no fetus-passing for the kiddos. What’s that guy up to these days?​

  69. 69.

    geg6

    August 3, 2023 at 4:14 pm

    @Betty Cracker:

    I think of my friend, Jody, who is married to a Trumper chiropractor and is definitely not on the same page as her husband politically.  She’s forced to watch FOX all the time.  She will enjoy seeing handsome Gav tear Puddin’ Boots to pieces.

  70. 70.

    HumboldtBlue

    August 3, 2023 at 4:18 pm

    @Jim, Foolish Literalist:

    Cotton Hawley sounds the evil local klan leader who headed up the lynching party.

    Or a fat, 1930s Senator from Mississippi.

  71. 71.

    JaneE

    August 3, 2023 at 4:19 pm

    I can only hope there are some halfway rational Fox Viewers who may discover what Fox usually broadcasts is not always factual.  Whether Florida came out of Covid-19 better than California depends on what you are measuring, and if DeSantis brings it I hope Newsome flogs him with the body count, and only average growth to show for it.

    I would dearly love to hear anyone come up with a personal benefit gained through enslavement because of enslavement and worth being enslaved to achieve.  Learning skills you did not need back in Africa doesn’t count.  Learning skills and crafts because you were born here and master needed carpenters and masons and blacksmiths doesn’t count either, unless free blacks were forbidden to learn those things.  Learning how to escape and elude capture or how to help other slaves do the same would be a beneficial skill, but you would not need it if you were not enslaved in the first place.

    Telling people that slaves got skills they benefitted from personally is like telling a paraplegic that learning wheelchair basketball was worth losing two legs.

  72. 72.

    trollhattan

    August 3, 2023 at 4:20 pm

    @NotMax:

    Also: guns and 16YOs!

  73. 73.

    Cameron

    August 3, 2023 at 4:20 pm

    @trollhattan: His name is now one with The Ages.

  74. 74.

    Grumpy Old Railroader

    August 3, 2023 at 4:22 pm

    As a California voter I have watched Newsom do live briefings and in my opinion he is lacking what it takes to debate coherently. His press briefings have been overly long, drawn-out and rambling. I cannot imagine him in a free form debate giving concise zingers. Newsom is good at the long game and most of his trolling of DeSantis is very sharp. But these are made in a controlled setting.

    So I think the Newsom team knows their candidate and this debate BS is just more trolling and will likely never happen. I’d be happy to be wrong cuz I am NOT a Newsom fan even though I vote for him

  75. 75.

    trollhattan

    August 3, 2023 at 4:23 pm

    @JaneE: halfway rational Fox Viewers

    May we speak privately? :-)

    Mythical beasts, like “undecided voters” or “libertarians who don’t vote straight Republican tickets.”

  76. 76.

    NotMax

    August 3, 2023 at 4:24 pm

    @HumboldtBlue

    Tough to out-South an Englishman.
    ;)

  77. 77.

    Betty Cracker

    August 3, 2023 at 4:24 pm

    @Cameron: DeSantis invited Harris to debate his minions at the DOE; he wasn’t showing up personally. I’m glad she told him to fuck off, and I appreciate her coming to Florida to slam the fascist pigs who are destroying our public education system. It really is heartening when that happens — makes me feel like we’re not forgotten.

    @Kay: I don’t know a ton about Newsom, but my overall impression is favorable. We’re going to have a really deep bench in 2028, and that’s a good thing. I kinda hope Whitmer runs too, but I have no idea if she’s interested. She’s impressive.

  78. 78.

    Betty Cracker

    August 3, 2023 at 4:28 pm

    @geg6: Maybe she’d enjoy a divorce even more. ;-)

    I know it’s complicated. I have Trumper family members, and we’ve not disowned each other. The relationships are worth it to me and vice-versa, apparently. But I cannot imagine being married to someone with that mindset and having to listen to that horseshit all the time.

  79. 79.

    Hoodie

    August 3, 2023 at 4:30 pm

    I’d say DeSantis is an idiot for doing this, but I guess he’s desperate for attention.   Newsom isn’t running and doesn’t have anything at stake.  It’s Fox, so the normal idiot audience will probably remain idiots, but there is a chance that Newsom could embarrass the Meatball and put a few more nails in his coffin.   Liberals will tune in to watch for the potential car crash, but if Newsom doesn’t draw blood it’s no biggie.  Normies won’t be watching, Trumpers will think Trump would do better, no matter how well DeSantis appears to do.  I guess Fox’s theory is that it will make Biden look weak, e.g., Biden is too chicken/senile compared to Newsom, but it wouldn’t make sense for Joe to be debating any Republican before a GOP nominee is chosen.

  80. 80.

    Alison Rose

    August 3, 2023 at 4:33 pm

    @Grumpy Old Railroader: He can certainly be long-winded, and he often chastises himself for it while speaking. But there’s a big difference between off the cuff remarks at an electric vehicle facility and prepared remarks on a debate stage.

  81. 81.

    trollhattan

    August 3, 2023 at 4:48 pm

    @Betty Cracker: Been a fan of “That Woman from Michigan” ever since she was awarded the title. Plus the whole kidnapping thing–who the hell deserves Michigan nazis? And yet she endured.

  82. 82.

    geg6

    August 3, 2023 at 4:52 pm

    @Betty Cracker:

    It is complicated!  I don’t have this problem and would drop him know a flash if I did, but not everyone is me!  After a decade of being a pampered, bonbon eating housewife (yes, they have “help”), she went back to work six years ago when the extent of hubby’s MAGAness became clear.  She couldn’t stand the constant yapping about Cheetolini.  Also so she could donate to Dems and orgs like Planned Parenthood with her own money.  I do feel for her.  She’s very torn.

  83. 83.

    Grumpy Old Railroader

    August 3, 2023 at 5:09 pm

    @Alison Rose:

    But there’s a big difference between off the cuff remarks at an electric vehicle facility and prepared remarks on a debate stage.

    Every debate I have watched, prepared remarks went out the window about 10 minutes in to the debate. One must quickly, succinctly and coherently respond to whatever point the debate opponent just made. That is what worries me about Newsom. He has problems delivering Prepared Remarks at the electric vehicle facility. How on earth is he going to respond to spontaneous debate points by his opponent?

  84. 84.

    eversor

    August 3, 2023 at 5:15 pm

    I don’t see the harm.  I like Newsom, but I don’t think he can win a presidential election.  I also think he is smart enough to realize that.  Unlike other past Democratic candidates.

    To an extent, we do need pit bulls to go out there and fang people.  Repeatedly.  If Newsome wants to do that what’s the issue?

    He can’t help them sell ads because they don’t sell ads.  They make their money off carriers paying to carry them.  Because old churchy white people get cable for Fox.

  85. 85.

    JustRuss

    August 3, 2023 at 5:18 pm

    @JPL: “Governor Newsome, why did you let Black Lives Matter burn Portland to the ground?”

    “What? Portland isn’t even in California!”

    “So you refuse to answer. Next question….”

  86. 86.

    matt

    August 3, 2023 at 5:23 pm

    I’m sick and tired of Democrats going on Fox to prove they can handle ‘tough’ questioning and circumstances. They’re going and offering themselves up to the enemy, and they look weak and stupid doing it, not tough.

  87. 87.

    Alison Rose

    August 3, 2023 at 5:24 pm

    @Grumpy Old Railroader: Well, what I meant by prepared is that he would have an idea of what questions and topics would come up, he’ll know he’ll only have a certain amount of time to answer, he’ll certainly know what kinds of bullshit DeSantis will spew. And I guess I just don’t agree that he’s so terrible at giving remarks. The fact that he can speak extemporaneously on various topics and have a lot of facts and numbers top of mind with no teleprompter and no notes is impressive. I think he’s more intelligent than you’re giving him credit for, and he knows the difference between how he’d need to speak on a debate stage and how he speaks at a bill signing ceremony or something.

  88. 88.

    TheronWare

    August 3, 2023 at 5:43 pm

    Oh lordy when is that Smartmatic trial date?

  89. 89.

    feebog

    August 3, 2023 at 6:03 pm

    Lifelong Californian here.  While I acknowledge Newsom is a smart guy who presents well in front of the camera, don’t imagine this is anything other than a paving stone on the path to a Presidential run in 2028.  He knows Harris will have the inside track on the Democratic nomination, so he needs to get his face out in the news.  He has to get greater name recognition nationwide.  He has a huge ego and undoubtably expects to slice and dice meatball Ron in a debate, no matter what the venue.  He is almost certainly right in that expectation.

  90. 90.

    craigie

    August 3, 2023 at 6:15 pm

    I’m against this for purely selfish reasons, namely, we don’t need more advertising for California. The state doesn’t need more people, it needs less (or fewer, pick one).

  91. 91.

    Chip Daniels

    August 3, 2023 at 6:15 pm

    As a Californian, I like Newsom a lot, but like Betty, I’m not sure this is a good idea.

    Even kicking Ron’s ass in a debate will do what, exactly? The Fox crowd is prepared to believe seven ridiculous things before breakfast, every day, so no matter what is said or done they won’t change.

    The rest of normal people will see Newsom being sharp and DeSantis being stupid, but still, a respectable stupid person on a respectable “News” outlet.

     

    I don’t see any upside here.

  92. 92.

    kalakal

    August 3, 2023 at 6:39 pm

    @Chip Daniels:

    I’m not sure this is a smart move for either of them but it’s a really, really stupid one for Pudding Boots, the more people see of him the more they are repelled by him. He can’t even handle fluff softball interviews without coming across as an inarticulate sulky git. When faced with actual opposition Florida’s master of quick fire wit and lightning repartee reaches the “Shut up big nose” level in milliseconds.

    Ron DeSantis – To know him is to loathe him

  93. 93.

    Anonymous At Work

    August 3, 2023 at 7:41 pm

    Debate is live.  DeSantis will be live.  If Trump is not the nominee for criminal reasons, there’s plenty of footage of DeSantis getting rolled and being unpleasant on live TV.  If not, DeSantis will still need all of Hannity’s framing to avoid a debate on the “facts”.  It’ll attempt to defang “California sucks” early.

  94. 94.

    luc

    August 3, 2023 at 7:52 pm

    Who knows about the grand scheme of things — but I sure want to see the two ignoramuses being put through the wringer by an actual great debater

    https://thehill.com/opinion/4059560-budowsky-newsom-interview-lifts-biden-electrifies-democrats/

  95. 95.

    Another Scott

    August 4, 2023 at 7:17 am

    I get e-mail…

    Alright Another Scott—

    Several months ago, back when people thought Ron DeSantis had a chance to win the Republican nomination for president, I challenged him to a debate.

    I said we could even do it on Fox News, and with Sean Hannity as a host.

    Earlier this week, he accepted. We’ll see if he follows through…

    Now, before I talk about WHY this is happening, let me say this: I am going to defend the Biden agenda and accomplishments from DeSantis’ attacks as forcefully as I did the last time I was on with Hannity.

    But President Biden is going to be taking on a tougher opponent than DeSantis — that’s Donald Trump — and Joe needs our help, cause Trump is out to a HUGE fundraising lead and is on the brink of wrapping on the Republican nomination.

    So please:

    Use this link to contribute $3 DIRECTLY to Joe Biden’s campaign for president. Help him close the gap on his fundraising shortfall as the attack ads ramp up against him

    […]

    Good, good.

    Cheers,
    Scott.

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