Hosted by 61-year-old Fox News Host Sean Hannity tonight, 56-year-old Calif. Gov. Gavin Newsom and 45-year-old Florida Gov. Gavin Newsom get into the arena in what promises to be a lively debate. Newsom isn’t running for anything despite mentioned as a possible replacement if, for whatever reason, 81-year-old President Joe Biden throws in the towel. Unlike Newsom, DeSantis runs as a GOP candidate, currently at 13.5%, well behind front-runner 77-year-old former President Donald Trump, at 59.8% heading into the Jan. 15 Iowa Caucuses. Republican National Committee [RNC] plans to hold the next GOP debate in Tuscaloosa, Al., sponsored by NewsNation and hosted by Sirius Satellite TV’s Megyn Kelly. Four GOP hopefuls, including former U.N. Amb. Nikki Haley, former New Jersey Chris Christie, biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy and DeSantis, to attend.
Hannity’s spectacle looks to far eclipse the Dec. 6 NewsNation debate in terms of ratings, largely because Newsom and DeSantis are considered rising stars in the Democrat and Republican parties. Newsom and DeSantis have much to gain appearing with Hannity on Fox News, largely because they present the ultimate contrast, with Newsom considered a Joe Biden-type progressive, pitted against rock-ribbed conservative in DeSantis. DeSantis’ campaign needs some kind of jolt, having trouble gaining traction with much of buzz on Haley, now polling at 9.5%, lagging well behind Trump. But many GOP analysts think that if Trump were forced out by one felony conviction with his current legal problems, it might propel either Haley or DeSantis to the nomination. If either Haley or DeSantis got the nomination, it’s doubtful Democrats would continue with Biden.
Hannity, who embodies today’s conservative journalism, has debated Newsom on his live Fox News show, showing a kind of respect for each other, unusual in today’s hyper-partisan atmosphere. So, when it comes to Newsom, he knows exactly what to expect, what he’ll be asked while contrasting himself with DeSantis. No question that going up against DeSantis, Newsom propels himself into a unique position among any number of possible Democrat candidates should Biden decide to drop out. Unlike 59-year-old Vice President Kamala Harris, Newsom doesn’t have the same negatives, with Harris tagged with a 36% approval rating. Unlike Newsom, there seems little interest for Harris running for president, despite her VP status. Harris rejects any suggestion that she’s not ready to run for president if Biden decided to end his campaign.
Like a good prosecuting attorney, Hannity will put both Newsom and DeSantis through the paces, though DeSantis speaks Hannity’s conservative language. What makes the debate compelling is that Hannity has a genuine affinity for Newsom, seeing him as the future of the Democrat Party. When it comes to DeSantis, at this point there’s far more uncertainty where DeSantis stands in the Republican Party. Hannity sees in Newsom a potential shoe-in for president, despite disagreeing with him on just about everything. Newsom will find himself in familiar territory territory, defending his liberal positions on the economy, foreign policy and hotspots like homelessness and the Mexican border. Hannity was impressed with Newsom’s ability to stick to his Democrat talking points, more than holding his own in prior meetings on Hannity’s national TV show.
DeSantis will be challenged to show he can deliver his narrative without sounding snarky or nasty in the process. Unlike Biden, Newsom backs the same liberal positions but knows how to deliver the message in a bubbly, cheerful manner. DeSantis can’t afford to appear condescending or unlikeable at a critical time in his GOP campaign. Despite Newsom debating two conservatives, DeSantis faces the most pressure because he has the most to lose if Fox News conservative audience sees he’s not ready for primetime. Newsom showed Hannity in the past that he’s ready for the limelight, despite officially not running for president. In bringing Newsom and DeSantis together, Hannity senses something big happening for both politicians, with DeSantis’ campaign hanging in the balance. Hannity gives DeSantis the perfect chance to appeal to a national conservative audience.
Hannity gets a chance to showcase on his popular national show two politicians who could become president of the United States. While his views seem diametrically opposed to Newsom, Hannity respects anyone with enough charisma and mastery of their talking points to deliver their message on live TV. DeSantis, who’s seemed in GOP debates to lack energy, gets the perfect chance to prove himself before the Dec. 6 NewsNation debate in Tuscaloosa. Haley has taken the wind out of DeSantis’ sails, who GOP donors thought would have the best shot of replacing Trump. DeSantis must seize the momentum from Haley who seems to present a real alternative to the remaining GOP candidates. Trump remains a wildcard because no one knows what will happen to him with his pending court battles. If DeSantis presents well against Newsom, he’ll have energy heading into the next debate.
About the Author
John M. Curtis writes politically neutral commentary analyzing spin in national and global news. He’s editor of OnlineColumnist.com and author of Dodging The Bullet and Operation Charisma.
