NEW YORK — Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida escalated his feud with California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Thursday, daring the West Coast Democrat to “stop pussyfooting around” and launch a main problem towards President Joe Biden.

DeSantis, who introduced his presidential marketing campaign late final month, took on Newsom throughout a information convention in Florida by which he was requested about Newsom‘s current feedback to Fox News agreeing to a hypothetical debate with DeSantis hosted by Sean Hannity.

“He’s got huge problems in his state –- I mean, like, huge problems in his state,” DeSantis stated. “Yet with all those problems, he has a real serious fixation on the state of Florida. I think it’s just bizarre.”

DeSantis then turned to the Democrats’ 2024 main election, by which Biden is going through solely token opposition.

“You know what? Stop pussyfooting around,” DeSantis stated. “Are you gonna throw your hat in the ring and challenge Joe? Are you going to get in and do it? Or are you just gonna sit on the sidelines and chirp?”

DeSantis’ jab comes as he shies away from confrontation along with his chief rival within the GOP’s White House main, former President Donald Trump. Newsom has beforehand stated he wouldn't problem Biden in 2024 however has taken steps to spice up his nationwide profile in current months.

While a number of of Trump’s Republican rivals have raised issues about his federal indictment, DeSantis has largely prevented the topic. The governor made solely a short point out of the costs in a weekend speech to the North Carolina GOP throughout which he centered his censure on the Justice Department and the Biden administration.

DeSantis has been rather more keen to lean into fights towards Democrats and the media.

For instance, a pro-DeSantis tremendous political motion committee launched a video Thursday titled “Punching Back” that highlights DeSantis’ frequent confrontations with the media.

A Newsom spokesperson didn't reply on to DeSantis’ newest feedback, however did notice that Newsom attended Disneyland’s Pride night time this week with firm CEO Bob Iger. Disney has sued DeSantis, alleging the governor undertook a “targeted campaign of government retaliation” after the corporate opposed a Florida legislation that critics name “ Don’t Say Gay.”

Ace Smith, a senior Newsom adviser, responded to DeSantis’ new broadside on Twitter: “Your whining is very unpresidential!”

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