When Gavin Newsom debates Ron DeSantis Thursday night on Fox News, voters might finally hear a serious discussion of an issue that most politicians and journalists have wanted to forget: the disastrous mistakes of the Covid-19 pandemic. For voters contemplating the 2024 presidential election, that issue is vital, as Covid was by far the most revealing test of leadership over the past four years—not just for those two governors, but also for Donald Trump and Joe Biden.

With the possible exception of the Great Depression, no domestic crisis of the past century and a half has been more catastrophic for the nation’s social fabric and economy than the Covid pandemic. The Covid virus was much less deadly than the 1918 Spanish flu virus, but Americans suffered vastly more collateral damage this time due to lockdowns and other unprecedented suspensions of fundamental liberties.

[I suspect that Newsom will want to change that subject to abortion, early and often, especially since he’s been retreating from his own COVID policies of late. Tierney notes that in his analysis, too. If DeSantis forces a lengthy debate on COVID policies tonight, it will make this exercise a win for him, a loss for Newsom, and potential trouble for Donald Trump too. If anyone watches it, of course. — Ed]