Fox News commentator Laura Ingraham signaled interest in hosting a one-on-one debate between former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley (R) and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) — and DeSantis responded, eagerly tweeting, “Count me in!”
Count me in! https://t.co/B9s5fpiuJL
— Ron DeSantis (@RonDeSantis) November 15, 2023
DeSantis appears prepared to go toe-to-toe with his challengers — but many of his supporters have questioned why he’s also preparing to debate California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) this month. Newsom has not announced a run for the White House, but experts and the public alike have long suspected — and often loathed — it.
Thursday, President Joe Biden practically confirmed Newsom’s run, tipping his hat to the leftist leader of California and claiming he could have his job.
WATCH: Today, while speaking at the APEC 2023 conference San Francisco in front of Chinese Communist dictator Xi JinPing, @joeBiden basically confirmed @GavinNewsom is running for President in 2024.
He said:
“He (Gavin Newsom) can be anything he wants. He can have the job I'm… pic.twitter.com/1GWKzDPJAU
— Laura Loomer (@LauraLoomer) November 16, 2023
Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) is the latest person of note to point the finger at Newsom and claim he’s angling for a relocation to Pennsylvania Avenue. Fetterman said Newsom plans to run and doesn’t have “the guts to announce it.”
Fox News Channel host Sean Hannity will host the debate between DeSantis and Newsom.
Haley and DeSantis are just two of the five Republican candidates who participated in the third GOP presidential primary debate last week in Miami.
Since that debate, Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC) has exited the race. His exit may have given Haley a bump over DeSantis, but both are still lagging far behind the elephant in the room — former President Donald Trump.
Trump remains on most conservatives’ minds. He hasn’t attended a single debate, and yet he is obliterating his challengers in the polls and in fundraising.
OHIO 2024: Trump holds 52-point lead for Republican Nomination
• Trump — 62% (+52)
• Haley — 10%
• DeSantis — 8%
• Ramaswamy — 6%
• Christie — 2%
• Burgum — 1%Emerson (A-) | 468 RV | 11/10-13 https://t.co/TJG9a2uZnm pic.twitter.com/bxQPPSVGZd
— InteractivePolls (@IAPolls2022) November 16, 2023
As far as a race with Newsom in the mix goes, some hypothetical polls say Trump still has it in the bag.
Trump beats Biden, Newsom, Harris, Manchin in 2024 matchup: poll https://t.co/YCVmj3FJD0 pic.twitter.com/Rr94CCW152
— New York Post (@nypost) November 16, 2023
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) endorsed DeSantis this month, but experts are saying his popularity with elected officials in Iowa won’t necessarily carry over to the power of the people in the voting box next November.
“Gov. Reynolds’ endorsement isn’t likely to hurt DeSantis, but it isn’t likely to help him much either. The voters of Iowa likely don’t think they need to rely on someone else’s judgment in picking the winners of the Iowa caucuses” pic.twitter.com/3znWRD3z08
— CathyNotToday2 (@Cathy2NotToday) November 14, 2023
The fourth GOP presidential primary debate is slated for December 6 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Megyn Kelly, Eliana Johnson and Elizabeth Vargas will co-host the event. DeSantis is sure to be there with boots bells on.
