Posted on 12/06/2011 9:06:18 PM PST by Steelfish
GOP Candidates to Trump Debate: You’re Fired Planned debate strikes some as a publicity stunt for the moderator. By Walt Cronkite Updated: December 6, 2011 Donald Trump may have mastered the art of the real-estate deal, but when it comes to debates, he’s still an apprentice. From National Journal:
The celebrity businessman is having difficulty securing commitments from Republican presidential candidates for a Dec. 27 debate that he’s planning to moderate in Des Moines, Iowa.
Mitt Romney became the latest big-name candidate to send his regrets, telling Fox News’ Neil Cavuto that he informed Trump earlier on Tuesday that he would be too busy to appear. Romney noted that he already is planning to participate in two previously scheduled debates in Iowa this month.
"I understand why Governor Romney decided not to do it," Trump told ABC News. He declined to elaborate further.
Other candidates who have declined: Rep. Ron Paul and former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman. In an interview on Monday with CNBC’s Larry Kudlow, Huntsman dismissed the Trump debate as a publicity stunt. Running for president "isn't about ratings for Donald Trump; this is about jobs for the American people," Huntsman told Kudlow. Newly minted front-runner Newt Gingrich has announced he will attend the Trump debate, as has former Sen. Rick Santorum.
Texas Gov. Rick Perry and Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minn., remain uncommitted, but on the CBS Early Show on Tuesday Bachmann told Erica Hill and Chris Wragge that she is concerned about Trump's objectivity, because "he said he's already leaning towards a candidate.
(Excerpt) Read more at nationaljournal.com ...
I wonder about that. Huntsman was Nobama’s ambassador to China. Think about it.
I liked Santorum’s answer. How is Trump moderating any worse than ANYONE from the MSM?
Amazing all the nasty things said about trump here a few months back, now a whole bunch of people are attempting to collective kiss his rump.
Gingrich and Santorum are attending.
Paul, Huntsman and Romney aren’t wanted anyway.
If the others take a GOP-E pass, it’s their loss.
Gingrich and Santorum are attending.
Paul, Huntsman and Romney aren’t wanted anyway.
If the others take a GOP-E pass, it’s their loss.
First off, Huntsman has declined a few debates already and no one cared. He is a loser. Secondly, how is this a debasement. In my mind going in front of the Marxists and Communists at MSNBC and CNN is a debasement.
Why in the world should Trump be considered beneath the likes of that limp wristed pansy with no ratings at CNN?
So Obama’s Ambassador to China refuses a Trump question.....
Grow up!
Cowards.
This is the state of the GOP.
YOU have got to be kidding. Trump is not a fool. This is a forum that will not be the usual Marxist firing squad. No one could possibly care who Trump endorses except for Trump. We all know he has shown interest in Romney, including the candidates, but he has remained gracious to all the candidates.
If the candidates would prefer going back to the firing squad venue then they are neither intellegent enough for the big desk, nor interested in informing the voters, particularly the base who are faithfully following the primary. Take names.
Bachmann for numero uno.
The major problem with this debate is that it is at the whim and ego of Trump.
It’s always about the Donald.
I really have nothing against Mr Trump, except when he wants to get involved in national politics. To me, Trump, the Enquirer, Hefner from play boy and others like that, are NOT the kind of people I want conducting these important debates. It demeans the process.
By the way, going to their shows INDIVIDUALLY, is one thing... but letting them get so directly involved with the DEBATES, is another thing. My opinion.
I will look forward to the Trump debate. It will be much better than the liberal press debates previously. Hope he asks questions about school records and passports. Glad those three losers aren’t participating.
And Speaking of Donald, why does everyone thing he is so great? How do you lose money on a Casino?
It is all about the questions. They can’t handle it. This isn’t going to be your MSM debate. The ones who bow out are off my list. If they cannot handle Donald Trump they sure as Hell cannot turn this Nation around.
Exactly. To Trump this is about putting him in the middle of presidential politics and advancing his “name” brand. Screw him. Trump called Bush “evil” and earlier on applauded Obama as a “consensus builder.” There comes a point when principle matters. I am sad to hear that Santorum did not stand his ground and turn down the invitation.
I agree.
We have seen this ploy before.
So the RINOs are bailing? This is bad how?
If they can’t handle a clown like Trump, how will they handle the job of President where they have to deal with clowns all over the world?
I'd include taking revenue from the Afghans poppy fields to help pay for our liberating their country as well. Of course we won't.
Otherwise, as I stated on another thread, it's going to be the Trump Show.
Lets see in the next coming days who decides to back out.
Eason Jordan is a BIG reason to consider not attending.
Trump should be able to sell some books when this debate airs.
He'll plug his book and show like he plugs his scalp.
Not what I've seen. Most of the people, including myself, who thought Trump was a clown then continue to think he is a clown now.
Going to a debate moderated by a giant ego who hosts a realityTV program, and who is actively discussing making it easier for Obama to secure a 2nd term by running 3rd party, is utterly stupid. Much as I don't like Paul, Huntsman or Romney (my 3 least favorite candidates), they are entirely correct in avoiding this silly debate.
So just show up and answer a question. WTF! They can’t do it!
The candidates who do take part will look silly when Trump comes out and endorses himself for President.
Well, I dont see the Donald turning the country around,
2 days after Christmas.
Har!
They don’t want his questions. He is presenting front and center. They back away. It is obvious.
I think many are missing the point. Trump realizes Obama has diminished his ability to increase his wealth. The prior debates have had maybe 1 million people watching, which is a grand total of .3% (or so) of our population. That would get any network pilot cancelled immediately. The question is, can we tolerate a debate moderated by a guy that cares as much about his hair as the candidates.
The way I look at it is Trump will hopefully deliver viewers that would not otherwise watch. The format will be suspect and all about Donald, but certainly not a CNN/MSNBC hostile environment.
Put Newt in a real environment, and like past debates, he will likely be the only one who will directly answer questions without discounting them while promoting his platform.
The Donald is in it for himself. He wants the $$, and will support the candidate that can create the economic environment most likely to make that happen.
Did Romney bail because the Donald jsut met with Newt?
It makes absolutely no sense to me that these candidates would participate in multiple debates broadcast and moderated by the enemy SRM, who’s sole purpose is to do as much damage to them as possible, yet they will not appear in a debate moderated by Trump!
Next we’ll have P-Diddy and 50 cents wanting to moderate Republican debates. Enough said. Boycott the Trump “debate”. It’s all about Trump not the issues.
The Donald is asking the questions. The Cowards RUN AWAY!
Exactly. That is what this circus is all about.
Yo! vote or die! LoL
A debate moderated by Trump is not as disgusting as a debate moderated by slimescum leftist MSM spokesholes.
It’s not a circus. Just answer his questions. Why is that so damn difficult for FReepers to understand.
That’s what I think, onyx
If you think your pick is screwed answering Trumps questions then you are right.
When did Trump become an expert on the American Political scene?
Oh, that’s right, when he started flirting with being POTUS himself.
Will he ask the candidates about the BC issue?
Maybe, it is possible that they are just wussing out. It is especially believable with Huntsman and Romney. Still, Trump is out for Trump. I would be fine avoiding CNN and MSNBC and having Republican debates be moderated by the Tea Party, conservative think tanks, etc. But not Trump. Just no. Donald the clown is a realityTV guy who will do and say nearly anything to pump up the Trump brand. No Republican should participate in a debate moderated by someone who is threatening to run a 3rd party bid against them.
LOL! You said it much better than I did!
Exactly. Those are phony and lame excuses. Personally, I think they're afraid to go to the debate. Maybe they're afraid Trump will press for REAL answers to questions rather than 'answers' which aren't answers to questions, at least not without a follow-up.
Perry is uncommitted.
I agree 100%. It’s not going to be about ‘gotcha’ questions; he’s about himself, but he’s also about getting America back to work (imo). (And that may be also for his own gain, but, he at least isn’t a liberal scum commie.)
Why not get Wink Martindale?
The way I see it is Trump is going to school America on the difference between a business mogul vs the MSM giving a debate.
The gang banga 50 cent considers himself to be a republican. Pretty sure he gave money to GW’s reelection in 04.
Thanks, dearest you.
I will be happy to watch Santorum and Gingrich answer questions if the others want to take a GOP-E pass.
What does Wink Martindale have to with a real-estate mogul......
Why not Dennis Miller?
Obama may try this...he sure doesn’t want to debate Newt....not even with a soft media.
Newt is fierce with the tongue and pretty unflappable.
Obama has never debated anyone really hardcore on mental recall
Entertainment TV personality.
Winks good at asking questions! LoL
You have bought, HOOK, LINE and SINKER the left attack. Let Trump ask the hard questions. This isn’t a Maria Bartiromo debate. The weak will bow out.
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