California vs. Florida | Two governors with opposing views debate their model for America

(Alpharetta) They lead California and Florida, two of the largest states in the United States, and embody two radically opposing visions of America with the White House in their sights: Governors Gavin Newsom and Ron DeSantis faced off Thursday in a very tense debate.

“This country must choose freedom rather than failure,” argued Republican Ron DeSantis during this program, criticizing the “left-wing policies” of his Democratic rival. Gavin Newsom in return accused him of wanting to “set democracy on fire, like Donald Trump”.

In the United States, a federal country, the governor is the head of the executive branch of a state, with many powers.

At the head of Florida and California – more populated than most countries in the European Union – Gavin Newsom, 56 years old, and Ron DeSantis, 45 years old, have shaped the daily lives of millions of Americans when it comes to abortion. , economic or environmental policy.

Models compared in great detail during this debate broadcast by Fox News, the conservatives’ favorite channel, and presented by a close friend of Donald Trump, star presenter Sean Hannity.

Brand

Unsurprisingly, the discussions were initially largely devoted to immigration, crime or tax issues – all issues dear to the Republican electorate.

Before the thorny issue of abortion is addressed, which is particularly tearing the country apart since the Supreme Court canceled its constitutional protection in the country in June 2022.

“Ron DeSantis promulgated one of the most extreme anti-abortion laws in the country,” accused Gavin Newsom, in reference to the text adopted this year in Florida banning abortions after six weeks of pregnancy – when many women do not yet know that they are pregnant.

Conversely, California is committed to being a “sanctuary” guaranteeing hundreds of thousands of women from conservative states the right to legal and safe abortion. A position deemed “very extreme” by Catholic Ron DeSantis.

The game of seven differences was pushed to the choice of the governors’ ties: Ron DeSantis was red, the color of the Republicans, Gavin Newsom blue, that of the Democrats.

For an hour and a half, the two men praised their role models in the hope that they would ultimately serve their highest political aspirations.

2028 or… 2024?

In May, Ron DeSantis, then considered a rising star in the Republican Party, entered the primary race for the 2024 presidential election. But he saw his candidacy plummet in Republican opinion polls, opposed to Donald Trump still has strong support from his base, despite his indictments.

Tipped as a possible Democratic candidate for the 2024 election, Gavin Newsom ultimately lined up behind the candidacy of Joe Biden, affirming in June to support “the president and his leadership”.

However, the fifty-year-old maintains only relative mystery about his presidential ambitions.

In recent months, the man with the well-combed locks has increased his trips abroad, broadcast advertising spots boasting his record without restraint and has invested millions of dollars in a political action committee, fueling speculation about a candidacy in 2028. Or from 2024?

During the debate, Ron DeSantis accused his rival of “running a shadow campaign” for next November’s election, in the face of the cognitive “decline” of Joe Biden, 81 years old.

“To choose, I prefer a Joe Biden who is 100 years old, any day, rather than Ron DeSantis,” retorted Gavin Newsom, assuring that he was not seeking to replace the Democratic leader in the race for the White House.