[RC one]

with his minimal name recognition, he would be foolish to do otherwise.

[FreeReign]

But Romney, Perry, and Bachmann have all visited Trump Tower this cycle. Perry publicly went out on the town with Trump, while Bachmann (who has visited Trump more than once this campaign) held a tele-town hall with the Donald in October.

All five of them are busy kissing "moderator" Stephy's feet as I type this.

[hosepipe]

I’m impressed with Santorums pluck and dismayed with Bachmanns cowadice..
BAchmann was my choice.. not now.. damn..

Trump put it to the candidates.. What about China?..
All but two ran for cover.. shows you something..
Shows what an interesting question it is... What about China?.

Yeah..... what about China!... and also India..
and even Malaysia, Taiwan and Korea.. where all the “jobs” went..
And Mexico for that matter.. even Canada..

Proper economic changes could bleed jobs from all of them back into the U.S.

[tflabo]

Santorum is spot on about the other candidate no-shows to the Trump debate. So Trump was good to get a visit but shun for his debate? Good on Newt and Santorum.

[Antoninus]

Personally, I would love to see a Gingrich vs. Santorum debate with Trump moderating. I hardly listen to the others in the debates anyway:

Romney - Phony. Nothing he says matters because no one knows what he actually believes.

Perry - Inarticulate. Painful to listen to.

Bachmann - Shrill. Romney's attack-dog.

Ron Paul - Crazy. Occasionally interesting on fiscal issues but a nut-case on foreign affairs.

Santorum - Passionate and sincere. Makes a wonderful case for social and fiscal conservatism with the life experience to back it up.

Gingrich - Intelligent and savvy. I don't agree with him on every issue, but his enemies are the enemies of conservatives generally.

[Designer]

"Paul has been similarly distant.."

No wonder there. Trump has dissed Paul on many occasions.

Why would anyone go kiss his ring when the Donald has already made his proclaimation?

IMO, this "non-debate" is nothing more than another showcase for Trump.