(ConservativeJournal.org) – According to the latest numbers from CNN, former President Donald Trump commands a towering 43% lead over Florida Governor Ron DeSantis in his pursuit of the 2024 Republican nomination. Many would say that Trump stands only to lose by agreeing to meet the Sunshine State official in a face-to-face debate.
That potentiality has not stopped DeSantis from demanding a one-on-one showdown with the former head-of-state, with the governor doing just that following his September 27 debate with the other candidates in the Republican field. The Florida official suggested to Sean Hannity that Trump might “be willing to” debate him if the Fox host was willing to play middleman.
DeSantis appeared to be indirectly referencing an already scheduled debate due to take place on November 30 that will feature both he and California Governor Gavin Newsom. Hannity is set to referee the post-Thanksgiving gubernatorial exchange. DeSantis said the former President “owes it to” American “voters to” show up “and make” his “case.”
The Fox personality clarified the 45-year-old governor’s challenge by asking him to confirm what he had just said. “Let’s do it,” the ex-Navy pilot said. DeSantis then addressed Trump’s standing in polls and said the former President’s current position does not entitle him to skip debates. Candidates are obligated to “make the case,” he said.
Only hours before the Republican debate, Fox host Laura Ingraham pressed DeSantis on his standing in the polls and asked him for specifics about how his campaign planned to beat the statistical odds that were stacked against him. She pointed out that despite him being in second place amongst the entire field of GOP candidates, he still had only garnered 13% of Republican primary voters.
Ingraham pushed the governor on how he planned to get from second to first place, considering “Trump’s huge lead.” DeSantis appeared unable to provide her with specifics and instead said the race was a “time for choosing” among conservatives.
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