{"id":516,"date":"2023-08-04T14:11:10","date_gmt":"2023-08-04T14:11:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cccfornews.com\/index.php\/2023\/08\/04\/desantis-accepts-debate-challenge-from-newsom-stands-firm-on-pro-life-stance\/"},"modified":"2023-08-04T14:11:10","modified_gmt":"2023-08-04T14:11:10","slug":"desantis-accepts-debate-challenge-from-newsom-stands-firm-on-pro-life-stance","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cccfornews.com\/index.php\/2023\/08\/04\/desantis-accepts-debate-challenge-from-newsom-stands-firm-on-pro-life-stance\/","title":{"rendered":"DeSantis Accepts Debate Challenge from Newsom, Stands Firm on Pro-Life Stance"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div id=\"article_content\">\n<header>\n<div class=\"article-byline has-tools\">\n<div class=\"article-tools\"><a href=\"#cp-talk\" class=\"has-number talk-cp-254922\" data-scrollto=\".viafoura\" aria-label=\"Go to comments\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.christianpost.com\/assets\/img\/icon\/chat-rect.svg\" alt=\"\"\/><span class=\"number\"\/><\/a><a href=\"\" class=\"js-share\" aria-label=\"Share\" id=\"share-btn\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.christianpost.com\/assets\/img\/icon\/share-outline.svg\" alt=\"\"\/><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<figure class=\"img-box align-center center\" itemscope=\"\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\"><picture width=\"760\" height=\"507\"><source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.christianpost.com\/images\/cache\/image\/14\/82\/148271_w_760_507.webp\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.christianpost.com\/images\/cache\/image\/14\/82\/148271_w_760_507.jpg\" class=\"type:primaryImage\" width=\"760\" height=\"507\"\/><\/source><\/picture><figcaption class=\"caption\"><span class=\"photo-des\">Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis gives a victory speech after defeating Democratic gubernatorial candidate Rep. Charlie Crist during his election night watch party at the Tampa Convention Center on November 8, 2022, in Tampa, Florida. DeSantis was the projected winner by a double-digit lead.<\/span> | <span class=\"credit\">Octavio Jones\/Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has agreed to debate California Gov. Gavin Newsom as the two states continue to take divergent paths.<\/p>\n<p>DeSantis, who is seeking the Republican nomination for president, appeared on Fox News\u2019 \u201cHannity\u201d Wednesday. Host Sean Hannity opened the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=aHHQT0WvoZk\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">segment<\/a> with DeSantis by recalling that during a previous interview with Newsom, he floated the idea of the Democrat California governor engaging in a one-on-one debate with DeSantis as both continue to tout their respective states as models for the nation to emulate. Newsom described himself as \u201call in\u201d to participate in such a debate, which Hannity would moderate.<\/p>\n<div class=\"jeg_video_container jeg_video_content\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"DeSantis agrees to one-on-one debate with Gavin Newsom\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/aHHQT0WvoZk?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n<p>When Hannity followed up and asked if he would \u201cdo a two-hour debate with Ron DeSantis,\u201d Newsom responded, \u201cI would make it three.\u201d Hannity elaborated on the topics that he would focus on in the debates, which would highlight \u201cmajor political and philosophical divides in this country,\u201d such as the \u201cmass immigration from blue states to red ones\u201d as well as the differing tax, immigration and energy policies between the states.<\/p>\n<p>DeSantis answered in the affirmative when asked if he would debate Newsom: \u201cAbsolutely. I\u2019m game. Let\u2019s get it done. Just tell me when and where. We\u2019ll do it.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The Florida governor and presidential candidate used his platform on primetime television to tout his record as leader of the nation\u2019s third-largest state: \u201cIn one respect, the debate between California and Florida \u2026 has already been had. As you suggest, people have been voting on that. They have been voting on it with their feet. They have fled California in record numbers. Florida has been the number one state for net in-migration. We have the number one-ranked economy, number one now in education, the crime rate at a 50-year low.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIn another sense, this is the debate for the future of our country,\u201d he added. \u201cYou have people like Joe Biden, they would love to see the Californication of the United States. Biden may not even be the nominee, you could have Gavin Newsom.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>In addition to the differences in economic policy, DeSantis said California and Florida have responded to hot-button social issues in different ways. While DeSantis signed into law a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.christianpost.com\/news\/desantis-slams-cultural-marxism-in-liberty-university-speech.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">six-week abortion ban<\/a> earlier this year, California voters approved a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.christianpost.com\/news\/voters-enshrine-abortion-rights-in-3-state-constitutions.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">constitutional amendment<\/a> enshrining a right to abortion in the state&#8217;s constitution last year.<\/p>\n<p>Similarly, as Florida has <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lgbtmap.org\/equality-maps\/healthcare\/youth_medical_care_bans\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">banned<\/a> disfiguring sex-change procedures for minors, California has established itself as one of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lgbtmap.org\/equality-maps\/healthcare\/trans_shield_laws\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">14 states<\/a> that have implemented measures protecting access to such procedures.<\/p>\n<p>DeSantis\u2019 excitement to debate Newsom comes as the candidate faces criticism for suggesting in an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=uf2fZ2-C5L0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">interview<\/a> with Megyn Kelly that he would be \u201ca leader with a bully pulpit &#8230; to help local communities and states advance the cause of life\u201d and describing the pro-life movement as \u201cbottom-up.\u201d When asked if he would support a federal abortion ban, DeSantis vowed, \u201cI\u2019ll always come down on the side of life\u201d while stating, \u201cI don\u2019t have much confidence that Congress is going to do anything meaningful in this regard.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"jeg_video_container jeg_video_content\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Gov. Ron DeSantis Banned Abortion After Six Weeks in Florida - Would He Support A Federal Ban?\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/uf2fZ2-C5L0?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n<p>\u201cIn a federalist system &#8230; you have differences of opinions, and that stuff gets filtered out. But clearly, right now, you are going to see different states go in different directions and I understand that,\u201d he added. Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of the pro-life advocacy group Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, issued a <a href=\"https:\/\/sbaprolife.org\/newsroom\/press-releases\/sba-ron-desantis-position-is-unacceptable-to-pro-life-movement\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">statement <\/a>decrying DeSantis\u2019 comments: \u201cA pro-life president has a duty to protect the lives of all Americans. He should be the National Defender of Life.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>According to Dannenfelser, \u201cThe American people have expressed a\u00a0clear consensus\u00a0for protecting babies in the womb at least by the point they can feel pain at 15 weeks, while allowing states to enact stronger protections. The pro-life movement and the American people deserve a president who will boldly advocate this consensus and will work to gather the votes necessary in Congress.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cGov. DeSantis\u2019 dismissal of this task is unacceptable to pro-life voters,\u201d she insisted. \u201cA consensus is already formed. Intensity for it is palpable and measurable. There are many pressing legislative issues for which Congress does not have the votes at the moment, but that is not a reason for a strong leader to back away from the fight. This is where presidential leadership matters most.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Former Vice President Mike Pence, another contender for the Republican presidential nomination, shared a link to Dannenfelser\u2019s statement on the social media platform <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Mike_Pence\/status\/1686155061628428289?s=20\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">X<\/a>, formerly known as Twitter, attempting to differentiate himself from his competitor by promising to \u201calways champion protections for the unborn in states across the country and in our nation\u2019s Capital\u201d if elected president.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">When I am President, <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/ProLife?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">#ProLife<\/a> Americans will have a champion in the White House! In the Dobbs decision, the question of abortion was returned to the states AND the American people. I will always champion protections for the unborn in states across the Country and in our Nation\u2019s\u2026<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Mike Pence (@Mike_Pence) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Mike_Pence\/status\/1686155061628428289?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">July 31, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>Speaking to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=PXgsiEYpoAA\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Newsmax<\/a> in New Hampshire Wednesday, DeSantis defended his pro-life credentials, characterizing himself as \u201cthe only candidate running that has actually delivered pro-life protections and got those enacted.\u201d He reiterated that \u201cas president, I\u2019m pro-life. I\u2019ll come down on the side of life.\u201d DeSantis took a veiled shot at his rivals by telling the news outlet, \u201cLet\u2019s just be clear here about all this: Some people talk, I act.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Electorally speaking, DeSantis massively overperformed in his 2022 re-election bid, securing a second term by more than <a href=\"https:\/\/www.politico.com\/2022-election\/results\/florida\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">19 percentage points<\/a> in a state former President Donald Trump won by slightly more than <a href=\"https:\/\/www.politico.com\/2020-election\/results\/florida\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">3 points<\/a> in the 2020 presidential election. By contrast, Newsom underperformed, winning re-election by less than <a href=\"https:\/\/www.politico.com\/2022-election\/results\/california\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">20 percentage points<\/a> in a state Biden carried by more than <a href=\"https:\/\/www.politico.com\/2020-election\/results\/california\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">29 points<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>The current <a href=\"https:\/\/www.realclearpolitics.com\/epolls\/2024\/president\/us\/2024_republican_presidential_nomination-7548.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">RealClearPolitics average<\/a> of polls measuring voter intentions in the Republican primaries, based on surveys conducted from July 12-30, shows Trump with 53.9% and DeSantis in a distant second at 18.1%. All other candidates, including Pence, fail to make it out of the single digits.<\/p>\n<div class=\"jeg_video_container jeg_video_content\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"WATCH: DeSantis talks with NEWSMAX about winning over Trump voters | John Bachman Now\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/PXgsiEYpoAA?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n<div class=\"article_credit\">\n<p>Ryan Foley is a reporter for The Christian Post. He can be reached at: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.christianpost.com\/news\/mailto:ryan.foley@christianpost.com\">ryan.foley@christianpost.com<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"eoa_freedom_post\">\n<h2><span>Free<\/span> Religious Freedom Updates<\/h2>\n<p>Join thousands of others to get the <strong>FREEDOM POST<\/strong> newsletter for free, sent twice a week from The Christian Post.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><script async src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><br \/>\n<br \/><br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.christianpost.com\/news\/desantis-agrees-to-debate-newsom-defends-pro-life-credentials.html\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis gives a victory speech after defeating Democratic gubernatorial candidate Rep. Charlie Crist during his election night watch party at the Tampa Convention Center on November 8, 2022, in Tampa, Florida. DeSantis was the projected winner by a double-digit lead. | Octavio Jones\/Getty Images Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has agreed to debate [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":517,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","jnews-multi-image_gallery":[],"jnews_single_post":[],"jnews_primary_category":[]},"categories":[43],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/cccfornews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/516"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/cccfornews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/cccfornews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cccfornews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cccfornews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=516"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/cccfornews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/516\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cccfornews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/517"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/cccfornews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=516"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cccfornews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=516"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cccfornews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=516"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}