In a surprising turn of events, FOX News Channel has announced that it will be hosting a highly anticipated debate between Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and California Governor Gavin Newsom. The 90-minute event, dubbed the "red vs. blue state debate," will take place on November 30th and will be moderated by none other than FOX News veteran Sean Hannity. This will be the first time that these two prominent governors will face off in a debate, and viewers are eagerly anticipating the clash between the Republican and Democratic leaders.

Hannity, who has interviewed a wide range of influential figures throughout his career, expressed his excitement about providing viewers with an informative debate that delves into the everyday issues and governing philosophies that impact the lives of Americans. The idea for this debate was first raised during Hannity's June exclusive interview with Governor Newsom, where he proposed the idea of a debate between Newsom and DeSantis. DeSantis, who officially signed on to participate in July, wasted no time in accepting the challenge, stating, "Let's get it done. Just tell me when and where - we'll do it."

Newsom, who has been the subject of 2024 presidential speculation but has repeatedly stated that he would not run against fellow Democrat President Biden, has persistently challenged DeSantis to debates on various issues. The first challenge occurred in September 2022, focusing on migrant flights to Martha's Vineyard and sparking a discussion on sanctuary immigration policies.

The fact that DeSantis, who is currently running for president, has agreed to debate a politician who is not also vying for the White House is highly unusual. Many see this as a sign of DeSantis trying to shake up the dynamics of the Republican primary race, where he has fallen behind former President Donald J. Trump. This decision has generated significant interest, as it offers an opportunity to see how DeSantis measures up against a potential Democratic contender.

While Newsom has repeatedly denied any intention of running for president in 2024, his close alliance with President Biden and his active campaigning as a Democratic surrogate have fueled speculation about his political ambitions. He recently traveled to Chicago to raise campaign funds for the president and is considered a leading contender in a Democratic primary in 2028.

Behind the scenes, the Newsom and DeSantis teams have engaged in negotiations about the debate logistics. Memos have been exchanged, and certain demands have been made. Newsom's team insisted on no live audience, no cheering section, and no hype videos in their proposal. In response, DeSantis's team sought to air a two-minute video at the start of the debate and requested a live audience, which Newsom's team dismissed as a "cheering section."

The FOX News announcement did not clarify whether there will be an audience present during the debate, leaving some uncertainty about the format of the event. A spokesman for Newsom suggested that the debate could still fall apart if their conditions are not met, emphasizing their desire for a "real debate" rather than a circus.

Despite the potential challenges and negotiations, both teams seem eager to participate in this high-stakes debate. Andrew Romeo, a spokesman for DeSantis, welcomed the event and highlighted the opportunity to showcase DeSantis's record of success against the ideology represented by Newsom and potentially Biden. Romeo also hinted at the possibility of Newsom becoming the Democratic nominee, emphasizing the similarities between the two candidates' ideologies.

As DeSantis seeks to increase his visibility by engaging in debates and facing off against other contenders, former President Trump has taken a different approach. Trump has decided to skip the Republican primary debates, including the upcoming one at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library. According to sources, Trump sees no urgency in participating in the debates, further highlighting the contrasting strategies of these two influential figures within the Republican Party.