California Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom is not currently running for president. But that’s not stopping him from facing off in a debate Thursday evening with a governor who is waging a 2024 presidential campaign: Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis.
It’s the culmination of a long standing feud between the two men. With the debate airing in primetime on Fox News Channel, it will give them both a platform to appear presidential, even though Newsom has sworn, again and again, that he’s simply out there helping Democrats keep the White House for President Biden.
A supporting role that could turn into a leading act
But in recent months, Newsom has repeatedly made forays into both national and foreign affairs.
Last month, he traveled to both Israel and China to meet with top leaders. This spring, Newsom took his family on a tour of Southern red states. He’s also run TV ads in Florida and Washington, D.C. attacking Florida’s new abortion law, which would ban abortions after six weeks.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom (R) is interviewed by Sean Hannity in the spin room following the Fox Business Republican Primary Debate in Simi Valley, Calif. on September 27, 2023.
(Mario Tama
/
Getty Images)
And in September, he showed up in the spin room at the GOP presidential debate in Simi Valley to spar with Sean Hannity on Hannity’s Fox News show.
“He’s become the face of the loyal opposition,” said Democratic political strategist Dane Strother, who…
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