The dueling governors, Ron DeSantis (R-FL) and Gavin Newsom (D-CA) have agreed to debate. Fox News Channel’s Sean Hannity will moderate a debate between the two potential presidential candidates.

Newsom isn’t an officially declared candidate for president but he is definitely running a shadow campaign. DeSantis is currently a distant second in the Republican presidential primary race. The two men have been going back and forth in a war of words ever since Newsom started going after DeSantis and his successes in Florida.

Hannity has interviewed Newsom and I give credit to Newsom for going into the lion’s den. He shows up on FNC, one of the few Democrats willing to do so. Joe Biden hasn’t been interviewed by Fox. Kamala doesn’t do interviews on Fox. I watched Hannity’s interview with Newsom and one thing is clear – Gavin Newsom is a smooth talker. He is a politician through and through. He can come off sounding like a rational, reasonable, almost humble human being and we know he is none of those things. His politics are far-left and in stark contrast to the politics of DeSantis.

Newsom told Hannity that he would come back on his show again. Hannity suggested a debate with DeSantis and Newsom agreed to do that sometime in the future. Apparently the future is rapidly approaching. It looks like it will happen in November because DeSantis accepted the challenge. DeSantis was on the Hannity show Wednesday night and Hannity asked DeSantis if he would accept Newsom’s offer to debate on his show. DeSantis said yes.

“You heard Gavin make the offer,” Mr. Hannity said on his show. “Your answer is?”

“Absolutely,” a smiling Mr. DeSantis replied. “I’m game. Let’s get it done. Just tell me when and where.”

In a letter last week, Mr. Newsom had outlined his proposed terms: a date of Nov. 8 or 10; a location in Georgia, Nevada or North Carolina; and a focus “on the impact of representation at the state level.”

Nathan Click, a spokesman for Mr. Newsom, said in a statement late Wednesday: “November 8th or 10th. DeSantis should put up or shut up. Anything else is just games.”

It isn’t clear if DeSantis has agreed to the terms yet. One condition from Newsom is that the men cannot bring notes or prepared documents to the debate. This is probably because Newsom is dyslexic and rarely uses teleprompters or notes. Also, he asked that there not be a live audience. The states that Newsom chose – Nevada, Georgia, and North Carolina – are all battleground states. Like I said, Newsom is running a shadow campaign. He’s making it clear that if something happens and Biden isn’t the Democrat nominee, he is ready to step in and run. It will be a 90-minute debate.

The debate between California and Florida is already over. People have been voting with their feet for years.

But the debate about the future of our country is one we need to have.

I'm game to talk about my plans to reverse the decline in this country anytime, anywhere, because… pic.twitter.com/BbUKix8s5E

— Ron DeSantis (@RonDeSantis) August 3, 2023

There is a sharp contrast between the two governors. Florida has moved from a purple state to a bright red state under the guidance of DeSantis. He has taken on “woke” culture and sought to protect freedom for Floridians, especially during the pandemic. On the other hand, Newsom has signed extensive climate measures and turned California into a sanctuary state, whether it is for abortion access or illegal immigration. He called for a constitutional amendment to enact gun grabbing, er, gun regulations.

DeSantis has done his share of taunting. Last year, Newsom went so far as to run ads in Florida against DeSantis and his re-election campaign. “Freedom is under attack in your state.” In June, DeSantis said Newsom has a “fixation” on him and dared him to challenge Biden.

There are lots of articles about the population growth in Florida, especially by the residents of California. They are leaving California in historic levels and the population of Florida continues to grow. Californians are leaving high taxes, crime, and regulations. Ron DeSantis should not have any trouble highlighting the contrasts between Florida and California.

Stock up on popcorn. It’s almost political debate season. Later this month will be the first Republican primary debate. The second Republican debate will be in September. Then, November will bring the battle of the governors. DeSantis will get some good experience during the GOP debates because the others will be gunning for him, especially if Trump doesn’t show up for them.