DeSantis-Newsom Debate Shows the 2024 Campaign That Could Have Been

ALPHARETTA, Ga.—Unless something unexpected happens in the next few months, the 2024 presidential campaign is likely to feature two aging, retread candidates of whom Americans are thoroughly tired. On Thursday, however, a different reality was on display: two energetic partisans in their prime, holding each other to account on issues of substance and presenting a clear choice to voters.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, a Republican, and California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, faced off in a no-holds-barred roughly 100-minute debate, moderated by Fox News’s Sean Hannity and airing live on the cable network. Wall Street Journal parent News Corp and Fox parent Fox Corp. share common ownership.