136 Comments

Steve, I beg of you......Please keep us posted on the time and date of this debate. I don’t watch Fox “News” except to randomly and occasionally check on the crazy level of gaslighting, misdirection, and lying. It’s always the same. But a Newsom v. DeSantis debate: That’s appointment viewing.

Expand full comment

I googled it. Nov. 8th or 10th. They should do it sooner!

Expand full comment

I lived CA for over a decade and voted for Newsom. He is a terrific governor and so utterly popular.

Expand full comment

Gavin Newsom said that your son would come to realize that his learning difference was  “his great gift.” Yes, brilliant and true. Hopefully we'll be able rise to the challenges in this country, too:

"A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles." - Christopher Reeve

"A bend in the road is not the end of the road. Unless you fail to make the turn." - Helen Keller

"Believe you can and you're halfway there." - Theodore Roosevelt

Expand full comment

Great positive quotes! They promote courage and perseverance often needed to handle the obstacles life throws at us.

Expand full comment

Yes, I pray we’ll be able to rise to the challenge in this country, before it’s too late!

Expand full comment

Truly beautiful, Lisa. Both Christopher Reeve and Helen Keller faced obstacles which are almost inconceivable to most of us. That both made statements which are so powerful and inspiring is a testament to their greatness. Thank you so much. xo

Expand full comment
Aug 7, 2023·edited Aug 7, 2023

Lisa I share your optimism against incredible odds. Newsom is like Hannibal at the bridge and this bridge is in the middle of Republican La La Land. Will those producers, and Hannity, allow Newsom to skewer DeDangerous on THEIR stage? We like to think Fair Play, but when is the last time they showed it? I fear that America has become a petrie dish for developing new, innovative forms of evil. A relatively new one is "Swatting" where people make false 911 calls, sending police to an address, over and over again, where no alarm exists, just to harass the residents. Many times these responses are over the top with almost military fervor. Hate, the new commonality, is driving invention to heights from which America may never recover. While Newsom conjures visions of David and Goliath, and that one worked out pretty well, he is up against a wall, (this time Trump did get it built), of hatred rising to the sky, buttressed by people of remarkable invention and determination spitting in the face of a Democratic party guilty of extraordinary incompetence and fighting back when it comes to telling of their many accomplisments. Hanging on to that optimism is like hanging from a skyscraper by your fingertips. Good luck.

Expand full comment
deletedAug 5, 2023·edited Aug 5, 2023
Comment deleted
Expand full comment

Just speculating here, but I think this video has been looped a bit...the identical racketball statement repeated 3 times? I’m not a fan of hers or her husbands. She, like her husband, is trying to come across as really smart, knowledgeable & poised, as let’s say, Michelle Obama. She is failing & flailing...

Expand full comment
Comment deleted
Expand full comment

She and DuhSantis are walking-talking nut-case algorithms. Poor children:-(

Expand full comment

Yikes! Casey is completely bananas, seriously! Thanks for posting :-)

Expand full comment

LOVE Jeff Tiedrich!!! Janet, you are the person who told me about his column. I laugh every day when I read it! Thanks so much for the "referral"! :-)

Expand full comment
Comment deleted
Expand full comment

I have my doubts that this debate will take place. Puddin’ Boots will find a way to weasel out of it while claiming Newsome is the problem.

Expand full comment

I think so too.

Expand full comment

I have met Gavin Newsom and his lovely wife a few times working around California politics. Such a stark contrast from DeSantis and his creepy wife. Newsome beat a recall handily and was reelected overwhelmingly. He is very popular because he is a great communicator and his policies work for most Californians. He has a positive vision for the future which he communicates very well,m. He is clearly a top tier candidate to become a future president. He will eat DeSantis for lunch. My Republican friends hate him with a passion because he’s a winner.

Expand full comment

Chris: you shine a clear light on the Gavin/Ron dichotomy. I am already ashamed of what I am about to say but here goes. The other side will attack Newsom for his mediagenic appearance as well. Look at the people at Trump rallies/Jan 6. It is petty.... yet his and his phenomenal, brilliant wife are REAL PEOPLE. Not caricatures of Barbie /Ken like Javanka. They have substance . Just sayin.... some of those Always Trumpers are intimidated by “the whole package” public figures.

Expand full comment
Aug 5, 2023·edited Aug 6, 2023

Yes, this is something I see - among the Magas, Newsom is loathed.

Expand full comment
Aug 5, 2023·edited Aug 5, 2023

Newsom is the recipient of MAGA rage for several reasons. He's young-ish, educated, articulate and wealthy. He communicates factual information smoothly. And deep down inside they know he has a shot at the Oval Office. In short, they're petrified.

Expand full comment

Isn’t that so telling of the grievance addled magats? They have always been with us, but the orange criminal brought them out like ants from a hill of sand. In a country of wealth and promise they have sworn allegiance to the biggest lying loser of all time. They’ve given up on themselves and blame it on “ the libs”.

Expand full comment

Newsome is also Kimberly Guilfoyle’s ex.

Expand full comment

I still don’t understand why Newsom doesn’t mount a real offensive to help us move Grandpa out of the White House. We have a viable candidate here, who has more executive experience running the 4th largest economy in the world, managing a massively diverse state, etc… than Biden ever had before he was elected. Biden (I like him as a “person,” and voted for him)… is a lifelong politician …the only thing Congresspeople like that run — are their campaigns.

Expand full comment

i believe that California would be the 5th largest economy - behind U.S, China, Japan, and Germany.

Expand full comment

Thank you… I was passing along older info.

Expand full comment

"Slitting throats" DeSantis represents the sinister and evil dark underbelly of the United States. It is clear, blindingly clear, that DeSantis is a psychopathic danger to a civilized society. The level of rage, hate and anger that boil up in DeSantis' personality are a warning sign. Anyone who would support or follow this draconian monster is equally a hazard to civil society.

Expand full comment

True. And all those descriptors of DeSantis are superimposed with a layer of dumb.

Expand full comment

Newsom will have his work cut out for him, as it will really be “two against one” (Hannity will be no fair/even-handed moderator).

Expand full comment

I think Newsome can handle it.

Expand full comment

Of course never even-handed. But I think Newsome will stand head and shoulders above the others

Expand full comment

Newsome undoubtedly is expecting such and can handle it since he will come armed with facts while the other two will be spouting MAGA creed.

Expand full comment

That will make it even more interesting

Expand full comment

Newsom will gut Hannity.

Expand full comment

Yes, Hannity knows how to interrupt people making good cases, and tries to help GOP allies when they go off the rails. Not a neutral playing field.

Expand full comment

Everyone, please! It’s “Newsom “ not “Newsome “! Get used to it; he’s part of the Democratic Party’s future.

Expand full comment

Time for Joe Biden to do a "Nancy Pelosi": "Well, I've accomplished all I set out to accomplish, when it came to employment numbers, bringing manufacturing jobs back to America, getting infrastructure moving, etc. Now it's time to hand the mantle over to the younger crowd. And by that I mean: the governor of California, Gavin Newsom."

Biden would then go on to list all of Newsom's accomplishments as governor, and then state, "…and I see no reason why he couldn't bring those same, exciting changes to the country as a whole."

Yes, the right will try to skewer Newsom, the same way they're trying to bring Biden down, harping endlessly about Newsom going out to a fancy restaurant during the height of the Covid epidemic, while the rest of California couldn't go "anywhere" — which, of course, is a far greater crime, in their eyes, than a President trying to destroy a country — and Newsom will have to answer for that, as he did to Californians, right after his faux pas was revealed. And yes, that will lead to several million Republicans not voting for him. However, news flash: they weren't going to vote for a Democrat anyway, so "no harm done".

Bottom line: if exciting, dynamic Gavin Newsom can't beat way-past-his-pull-date Donald Trump by 20 points in virtually every non-totally-MAGA state, then I got off on the wrong planet!

Expand full comment

I'm all for the first part, to have Joe Biden decide to retire, but it would be wrong for him to throw in for Newson, and a bad idea too. A short, but traditional primary process is the way to go, and Biden needs to be neutral. VP Harris is not my first choice, but she has a base of supporters. Sweeping them aside will hurt the party. Better to let Newsom, Harris, and no doubt others debate and campaign without Biden or any party bosses putting a thumb on the scale. That's the way to build a unified party going into the general election.

Expand full comment

Correct on all counts.

Expand full comment

Governor, you are a great role model for children and adults who have dyslexia. Thank you for that, which extends your good influence far beyond your excellent work for California and its peoples.

Expand full comment

The only problem I have with this is giving Fox the ratings.

However, it's worth it to go over there and piece the bubble they all live in for an instant.

Expand full comment

I don't have cable, so I will watch afterwards on video.

Expand full comment

I have cable but won't watch it live (that ratings thing) but I do plan to watch the best parts afterwards on vid.

Expand full comment

When is the debate?

Expand full comment
author

Robyn,

The date is still TBD, but Newsom has suggested possible dates, locations and parameters:

https://abcnews.go.com/amp/Politics/desantis-agrees-debate-newsom-fox-news-bringing-rivalry/story?id=101985843

Steve

Expand full comment

This will be a must see. Gavin Newsom and Pete Buttigieg (who also holds his own on Fox) are the best communicators I've heard. We need more politicians with the ability to challenge the lies and disinformation!

Expand full comment

The other great communicator is Hakeem Jeffries.

Expand full comment

We should organize watch parties...

Expand full comment

Agree and with bingo cards. If you’ve never played political bingo during. a State of the Union address, it makes watching the speeches more tolerable

Expand full comment

What a fun idea!

Expand full comment

If you do a web search on State of the Union Bingo card they will pop up Normally on oft-repeated phrases or slogans of the day.

Expand full comment

Could we do that on Zoom like the “ask me questions” program?

Expand full comment

I am tooting my own horn here : Counted the penny jar , cashed in the rolled coins and took advantage of your timely discount...SUBSCRIBED🙌

Could I encourage more ...to the ‘rest of the World’? (Hear that with dear Paul Harvey voice eloquence ☺️)

Thanks Steve, staff, proofreaders, ad infinitum and all the comment-taters..I look forward to this AND THAT DEBATE

Expand full comment

Not even a fair fight Steve. Awesome Newsom will wipe the floor with White Go Go Boots Boy. My money is on DeDumbass (who unfortunately is the Goobener of my once cherished and current home, the newly minted Gunshine state) will be a no-show. He is a super manly man until confronted by anything bigger than a mosquito (actually I take that back, mosquitos are not to be fucked with down here, but you get the point and sting). However, on the more peculiar, entertaining, and inquisitive side, if they were to debate who do you think Kimberly Girlfoil (sic), Newsom's first wife and Don Jr.'s current bete noir lover will route for?

Expand full comment

I can't even imagine Gavin and Kimberly together😱

Expand full comment

LOL. Ugh, I can't get her screech out of my head now. 🤮 I hope Gavin wrote off those married years as a charitable donation.

Expand full comment

Not Gavin, for sure.

Expand full comment

Don't be so sure Cheryl. Remember the trump camp hates DeSantis. That's what I think makes my question provocative and titillating. Who would GuyFoil root for?

Expand full comment

Considering the Governor Newson is overseeing the world's 4th largest economy and the engine that drives the US I see him as the next logical candidate for President. And yes, he will make Ron look like the pathetic little pud sucker that he is. And it will be glorious. And then the MAGA world will come up with their alternative twisted take to salve their wounds

Expand full comment

Gavin Newsom and Ronnie DeSantis are polar opposites on the most exacting of scientific measuring devices; DeSantis is a paltry foil for everything Mr Newsom represents so genuinely.

The description here of MAGA is superb. Thank you.

Expand full comment

I happened to turn on Fox when Hannity asked Desantis if he would debate Newsom. I think it took Desantis a little by surprise.

Expand full comment

Governor Newsom is a leader. Gavin Newsom has been both my mayor and governor. Takes on a challenge, embraces the complexities of leadership, a dedicated patriot, does not fear a challenge, but steps right in. This debate will be a turning point

Expand full comment

Meant to add to above comment...Governor Newsom would never wear white boots, but, if he did, he would look fabulous!

Expand full comment

It’s important we all watch it. I will reluctantly because I can’t listen either hannity or DeSantis. But when there is a definitive date can you advise us please.

Expand full comment