Hours before their highly anticipated debate on Thursday night, California Governor Gavin Newsom found himself in an unexpected setting – a doughnut shop in Alpharetta, Georgia, where nobody seemed to recognize him. As the Democratic governor prepared to face off against Republican Governor Ron DeSantis, he acknowledged the uphill battle he faced in presenting his arguments on a conservative platform moderated by Fox News host Sean Hannity.

Newsom likened the televised event to a hypothetical debate between a Republican and progressive actress and activist Jane Fonda, held in the liberal stronghold of Berkeley and moderated by MSNBC's Rachel Maddow. Despite understanding the challenges ahead, Newsom saw it as a "privilege" to represent President Joe Biden and combat what he viewed as the "extremism" of DeSantis within his own echo chamber.

However, the debate that unfolded later that evening in an empty child-care center-turned-debate venue left residents of Fulton County, Georgia, perplexed. The peculiar matchup between a presidential hopeful and a non-presidential candidate proved difficult for even political insiders to comprehend. Local residents expressed confusion and apathy towards the event, with many opting to watch a football game instead.

While DeSantis and Newsom set up camp in hotels only half a mile apart, holding news conferences and rallying their supporters, the lack of public interest was evident. Alpharetta's conservative Mayor Jim Gilvin described the debate as having flown "under the radar" as most Americans, regardless of their political affiliations, are more familiar with DeSantis than Newsom, as indicated by a recent YouGov poll.

DeSantis, explaining his rationale for engaging in a debate with a non-presidential candidate, highlighted the limited opportunity he had to convey his message amidst a crowded Republican primary field. He acknowledged the importance of national exposure that the debate offered, allowing him to directly challenge a far-left politician like Newsom.

The absence of a direct contest for the same office left some locals scratching their heads. Gabby Byrd, a 24-year-old Democrat, questioned why the two politicians were in her hometown debating without running against each other. Despite not being aware of Newsom's background, Byrd held strong negative views towards DeSantis, while acknowledging his higher visibility among Americans.

However, Newsom, unperturbed by the unusual circumstances, expressed contentment with his decision to participate and called on fellow Democrats to adopt a similar approach. Following the debate, the California governor emphasized the opportunity and responsibility for Democrats to become more assertive in the run-up to the 2024 elections, pointing out the need to engage with platforms that may have a biased agenda.

While acknowledging the biased format, Newsom declared that he had nothing to lose personally, and his participation was driven by a desire to challenge the system of misinformation that he believed posed a threat to democracy. Despite the challenges, he conveyed his enjoyment of the debate experience to reporters and urged his party to embrace the truth and confront opposing platforms head-on.

As the dust settled on the Newsom-DeSantis debate, both governors returned to their respective states with their sights set on the future. The impact of their clash in Georgia remains to be seen, but one thing is clear – this unusual political showdown has left many questioning the traditional boundaries and expectations of political debates.

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