• 2024 GOP presidential hopeful, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, told Fox News' Sean Hannity on Wednesday that he is willing to debate California Gov. Gavin Newsom, adding that all he needs to know is "when and where." New York Post (LR: 5 CP: 5)
• Newsom has offered to debate DeSantis since September and offered Nov. 8 or 10 as possible dates to debate. He also said, "DeSantis should put up or shut up." Independent (LR: 2 CP: 3)
• Newsom had told Hannity in June that he was "all in" on debating DeSantis and to "count on it." DeSantis has replied that he is "game" for a debate, calling it a "debate for the future of our country." Daily Caller (LR: 5 CP: 4)
• Both men have been pushing to portray themselves as rising star governors within their respective parties, with DeSantis passing abortion and transgender restrictions while Newsom has signed climate laws and sought to make California a "sanctuary" for abortion access. New York Times (LR: 2 CP: 5)
• Newsom's letter to DeSantis offering a formal debate included several rules: that the debate would be live, moderated by Hannity, last 90 minutes, and that both governors would refrain from using notes. He also offered Nevada, Georgia, and North Carolina as potential locations. NBC (LR: 2 CP: 4)
• This comes as polling indicates that DeSantis is trailing former Pres. Trump 53.9% to 18.1% in the GOP primary race, according to RealClearPolitics. New York Post (LR: 5 CP: 5)

Republican narrative:

• Whether it be Joe Biden, Kamala Harris, or Gavin Newsom, the Democratic party is propping up candidates who are feverishly awaiting their chance to continue undermining American values. Though he may see himself as a fresh face for his party, all Newsom has done is wreck the quality of life for his citizens, many of whom have decided to pack up and move to Florida already. This debate will be won by the man who's put citizens' freedom over his own power — and that man is Ron DeSantis.
  The Washington Times

Democratic narrative:

• Newsom proposed this debate months ago, but it wasn't until DeSantis' campaign began to collapse that he decided he needed a new publicity stunt to stay afloat. With donor money drying up and Trump crushing him in the polls, the Florida governor seems to be grasping at straws in search of any form of redemption. Debating someone who isn't even in the race will only make him look more desperate.
  MSN