“Newsom and DeSantis go head-to-head in highly anticipated debate on Fox News”
The recent debate between California Governor Gavin Newsom and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis on Fox News has captured the attention of the political world, delivering a significant increase in the channel’s ratings. The event, billed as “The Great Red State vs. Blue State Debate” and moderated by Fox News host Sean Hannity, garnered an average of 4.75 million viewers, according to Nielsen data.
The debate, which featured DeSantis, a contender for the 2024 Republican nomination for president, facing off against Newsom, a leading surrogate for the Democratic party, was unusual for TV news. The highly anticipated match-up was staged in a suburb outside Atlanta and marked a rare occasion where a sitting governor faced off against a potential presidential candidate.
Despite facing stiff competition from the finale of “The Golden Bachelor” on ABC and a close, high-scoring “Thursday Night Football” contest between the Dallas Cowboys and Seattle Seahawks, the debate managed to capture the attention of viewers, accounting for 73% of the viewers watching cable news in the 9 p.m. time slot.
The event, which saw Hannity trying to keep order as the debate became chaotic at times, was a platform for both Newsom and DeSantis to defend and discuss their respective states’ handling of issues such as crime, the COVID-19 pandemic, homelessness, and more. Newsom, who has repeatedly stated he is not running for national office, used the debate to defend President Biden’s administration while getting exposure in front of a national audience that may not have been familiar with him.
For DeSantis, who has fallen behind in polls and used props in his presentation, including a map depicting the volume of human fecal matter on the streets of San Francisco, the debate was an opportunity to ignite his flagging presidential campaign.
Following the debate, Fox News used clips of the event on its opinion programs, touting it as a win for DeSantis. Kaleigh McEnany, a former Trump White House press secretary and now co-host of the Fox News daytime show “Outnumbered,” described the debate as a victory of conservatism over liberalism, but also warned not to write off Newsom as a political competitor.
The historic significance of the debate lies in the potential impact it could have on the 2024 presidential race, as both Newsom and DeSantis are considered potential contenders. The event showcased their contrasting political views and offered the audience a glimpse into the state of Politics in America today.
As the political landscape continues to evolve, it will be important to keep an eye on both Newsom and DeSantis as potential candidates for future elections. Whether or not they run in 2024, their performance in this debate sheds light on the dynamic nature of American Politics and the potential leaders who may shape the nation’s future.
