The debate that no one really asked for between the Governors of Florida and California is coming nonetheless.
POLITICO Playbook reports Saturday that Ron DeSantis’ political team has produced a memo outlining terms the Republican presidential candidate will accept when debating California’s Gavin Newsom, who is not running for President.
Both Newsom and DeSantis agree that the event, to be held on Fox News, will be moderated by Sean Hannity, who will be the only person allowed to ask questions. The event will go 90 minutes and neither participant can be briefed by staff once the event starts.
Both Newsom and DeSantis appear to agree that Georgia is where the debate can happen, and it looks like Nov. 8 will be the date.
Team DeSantis doesn’t want opening remarks: “Each Governor may submit a 120 second video to be played in advance of the program to make the case for their governing philosophy. The video must be approved by Fox News.”
Hannity will be charged with keeping order, required to “ensure that equal time is maintained, and that Governors do not interrupt each other during their designated time to speak.”
DeSantis had resisted Newsom’s initial challenge to debate, before relenting earlier this week.
“Absolutely, I’m game. Let’s get it done. Just tell me when and where, we’ll do it,” DeSantis told Hannity Wednesday.
Newsom previously claimed he would do a three-hour debate with DeSantis on “one day’s notice with no notes,” but that didn’t initially move DeSantis.
DeSantis told reporters in Fort Pierce weeks ago that Newsom should “stop pussyfooting around” and challenge the incumbent President, fellow Democrat Joe Biden.
“What I would tell him is, you know what? Stop pussyfooting around. Are you going to throw your hat in the ring and challenge Joe? Are you going to get in and do it, or are you just going to sit on the sidelines and chirp? So why don’t you throw your hat in the ring and then we’ll go ahead and talk about what’s happening,” DeSantis said in June.
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