Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis fired again at his California counterpart, Gavin Newsom, Thursday after the Democrat challenged the 2024 Republican contender to a one-on-one debate.
Newsom, a fervent critic of DeSantis, instructed Fox News host Sean Hannity on Monday that he was “all in” on a two-hour debate with Hannity moderating, saying: “Make it three [hours]. I might do it [on] in the future’s discover with no notes. I look ahead to that.”
DeSantis sidestepped questions on Newsom’s supply throughout a budget-signing ceremony in Fort Pierce, as a substitute ribbing the California governor for not stepping as much as problem President Biden for the White House.
“[Newsom] has an actual severe fixation on the state of Florida, I believe it’s simply weird that he does that,” DeSantis mentioned.
“What I might inform him is, ‘You know what? Stop pussyfooting round. Are you going to throw your hat into the ring and problem Joe?’” the Florida governor continued.
#BREAKING: DeSantis on if he would tackle @GavinNewsom in a debate, tells him to cease "pussy footing"
"Stop pussy footing round! Are you gonna throw your hat within the ring and problem Joe? […] Or are you gonna sit on the sidelines and chirp? pic.twitter.com/0r8jqM2Bla
— Florida’s Voice (@FLVoiceNews) June 15, 2023
“Are you going to get in and do it, or are you going to sit down on the sidelines and chirp?” DeSantis continued. “So why don’t you throw your hat into the ring, after which we’ll go forward and discuss what’s taking place.”
The 44-year-old additionally ribbed Newsom over the “large issues” in and “large exodus” from California.
Newsom has lengthy cultivated presidential buzz for his high-profile feuds with heavyweight Republicans like DeSantis. In March, he funneled $10 million right into a “Campaign for Democracy” political group focusing on crimson states the place he mentioned “freedom is most beneath assault.”
Instead of mounting a problem to Biden, the 55-year-old Newsom opted to endorse him again in April. He was additionally named as a member of Biden’s marketing campaign advisory board the next month.
Thus far, Biden has no problem from a sitting Democratic elected official. His highest-profile declared foes embody non secular guru and self-help writer Marianne Williamson and environmental lawyer Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Newsom sidestepped questions on Biden’s age and vitality throughout his interview with Hannity.
“I see the place you’re going with that. No — I’m not answering,” Newsom mentioned when requested if he had been inundated with requests to enter the race.
The California governor additionally insisted Biden was match sufficient for an additional four-year time period, telling Hannity: “I’ve conversations with him on a regular basis. Yes, I do [believe he’s sharp enough]. I’m useless severe about that.”
DeSantis and Newsom beforehand went after one another when the Florida Division of Emergency Management revealed final week it flew roughly a dozen migrants from the border area in Texas to Sacramento.
Both DeSantis and Newsom have additionally ventured to one another’s house turf in latest months to take their photographs.
DeSantis not so subtly roasted Newsom throughout a speech on the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library again in March.
“The American folks … have voted with their toes. And if you happen to look over the past 4 years, we’ve witnessed an ideal American exodus from states ruled by leftist politicians imposing leftist ideology and delivering poor outcomes,” DeSantis mentioned on the time.
California Governor Gavin Newsom is in Sarasota this morning assembly with New College of Florida college students and college. The faculty has develop into the epicenter of the tradition wars after FL Gov Ron DeSantis initiated a conservative transformation. pic.twitter.com/rbZ7rOhclh
— Zac Anderson (@zacjanderson) April 5, 2023
The following month, Newsom swung by way of the Sunshine State and stopped by the New College of Florida, the place he huddled with college students aghast at DeSantis’ overhaul of the establishment’s board to root out wokeness.
DeSantis is polling in second place among the many 2024 GOP area, trailing front-runner Donald Trump 52.0% to 21.6%, in keeping with the most recent RealClearPolitics common.
Of his rival’s future, Newsom predicted to Hannity on Monday that “Trump goes to scrub his clock.”
