The best debate of the 2024 presidential cycle so far is unequivocally the Red State v. Blue State Debate on Fox News featuring California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. America was treated to both a poop map and a clear difference in governing philosophies that will play out in 2024 and beyond.

Working against a barrage of awful facts, Newsom distilled the case for Democratic governance: Tax the wealthy, spend on public problems, and engage identity politics effectively. DeSantis made a common sense appeal to the American people that Republican leadership in Florida is a blueprint for lowering gas prices, reducing the burden of taxes, and combating the high cost of groceries.

Give Newsom tremendous credit. Name another rising star in the Democratic Party willing to take the stage on the conservative flagship cable news channel and debate a popular Republican governor with Sean Hannity as the moderator. It’s a short list…of one.

Newsom walks into the lion’s den with a smile on his face. Meanwhile Biden struggles with stairs. As a conservative Republican, I simply cannot understand why any Democrat with eyes, ears, and a brain isn’t begging Newsom to lead the party immediately.

In the head-to-head between Florida and California, the sunshine state is heading in a better direction in terms of its economy, education, violent crime, and homelessness. Newsom spun some of the facts by cutting up the information differently. For example, he credibly argued that the murder rate in California is lower than Florida even though overall violent crime is markedly higher in Newsom’s state.

Nevertheless, the driver behind Newsom’s arguments isn’t built on California having better statistical outcomes than Florida. He made his shots count on issues favorable to Democrats.

“Ron DeSantis signed the most extreme, anti-abortion bills in America.” Newsom said. “He signed a bill banning any exceptions for rape and incest, and then he said it didn’t go far enough and decided to sign a six-week ban before women even know they’re pregnant.”

Newsom also presented himself as the champion of various groups from the LGBTQ community to librarians. “Ron, relax,” Newsom jabbed. “You’re a bully. I can handle it.” The Democratic proxy let countless demographic groups know that he was an ally who is willing to fight Republicans.

DeSantis had a much different approach that proved quite effective. Identity politics aren’t as pressing if you can’t afford to put gas in your car. “How does paying seven dollars a gallon gas help working people?”, DeSantis asked. “How does paying an eight percent sales tax help working people?” He continued. “How many people are able to afford groceries now compared to what you were doing three or four years ago?”

Each of those questions was a common sense haymaker for which Newsom had no clear response.

DeSantis pointed out that Newsom’s own father-in-law had exited California for Florida. He even produced a defecation map of San Francisco to illustrate how conditions had deteriorated in the city. The Florida governor found the most success asking Americans to use their common sense and highlighting issues that impact all of them rather than various specific groups.

A flagging DeSantis needed a good night to keep his presidential hopes alive, and he succeeded. Yes, he’s awkward on his feet. His trademark grimace isn’t exactly warming. He’s far from poetic in his delivery. That’s a reality for most Americans as well. We’re not slick politicians. DeSantis’s everyman delivery likely helped him with the voters he needed to reach.

Newsom needed a national introduction. He is unquestionably superior to Biden or Vice President Kamala Harris while graciously defending both of them. Armed with a polished national agenda instead of simply defending California’s lackluster performance, he would be formidable. If he isn’t the nominee in 2024, Democrats simply aren’t putting forth their best candidate.

What struck me the most about the evening’s exchange is that Republicans presently have a messenger problem and Democrats have a message problem. Gas, groceries, and stretching paychecks a little further matter to Americans regardless of our various group identities. Winning on economic issues matters a lot more than cultural battles and parochial interest issues. At the same time, how American leaders achieve that success is critically important. The facts weren’t favorable to Newsom but he was able to hold his own by attacking DeSantis for demeaning and humiliating people with whom he disagrees. Empathy still matters to millions of Americans.

The path to success for either party is leading with policies that help all Americans without being total jerks to those who have different perspectives.

“There are profound differences tonight…but there’s one thing in closing that we have in common,” Newsom noted, “neither of us will be the nominee for our party in 2024.” He might be correct, but America will clearly be worse off if our choices are simply more of what we’ve seen before.

More Cameron Smith columns:

Smith is a recovering political attorney with four boys, two dogs, a bearded dragon, and an extremely patient wife. He’s a partner in a media company, a business strategy wonk, and a regular on talk radio. Please direct outrage or agreement to [email protected] or @DCameronSmith on X or @davidcameronsmith on Threads.