Bachmann to Trump: You’re fired

Hotair ^ | 12/09/2011 | Ed Morrissey

[SeekAndFind]

CBN’s David Brody gets the scoop on Michele Bachmann’s response to the invitation to the Donald Trump forum on December 27th in Iowa. Apparently, she has something better to do one week before the caucuses than ring-kissing:

Michele Bachmann’s campaign tells The Brody File that she will NOT attend the Newsmax debate moderated by Donald Trump on December 27th. Mitt Romney, Rick Perry, Ron Paul and Jon Huntsman have also declined. That leaves Newt Gingrich and Rick Santorum as the only ones who have said they will attend. A Lincoln/Douglas debate anyone?

In order to have a Lincoln/Douglas style debate, Trump would have to keep his mouth shut. Odds on that? You’re better off betting that Buddy Roemer wins Iowa in four weeks.

Brody thinks that Bachmann might be working on an upset:

The Brody File has said that Bachmann’s organizational strength among pastors and homeschoolers gives her the real shot at doing very well in Iowa.

And let’s face it — if that’s the demographic she’s aiming to get into her corner, Bachmann won’t convince them by cavorting with Donald Trump, of all people. With Romney not terribly popular among social conservatives and Gingrich carrying a hefty amount of personal baggage in this area, Bachmann could well make some inroads in her native state by hewing to social-conservative positions and venues. Rick Perry has already reached the same conclusion, making overt arguments along faith-based themes in Iowa. Again, Trump isn’t exactly a model for that argument.

So the question now becomes this: will Gingrich and Santorum stick to their commitment to Trump, or will they suddenly find something else to do on the 27th? I’m betting that they find some way to distance themselves from this event, and that it gets quietly forgotten.

[FreeReign]

If the “debate” goes forward and Trump endorses one of the attendees, its going to raise some real questions about whether the candidate was in on the scam.

What about all the other debates moderated by biased establisment media scammers.

I think Bachmann is the best conservative in the bunch. That said I think this is another example of Bachmann pulling her punches against the Republican establishment.

[SeekAndFind]

RE: Good for Santorum and Newt.

This will give Santorum PLENTY of airtime. In most of the other debates, he was practically twiddling his thumbs waiting for the moderator to call on him.

[cripplecreek]

I predict a disastrous outcome for those who attend if it takes place at all.

[altura]

I don’t agree. This debate is looking gimmicky and more and more like reality tv.

Santorum is in because, well, because he’s out and has nothing to lose.

Gingrich is in because he’s Gingrich and no chance to talk can be ignored.

I think the decliners did the right thing and it will end up making Trump look foolish, which he dearly deserves.

The other moderators someone spoke of are, yes, many of them worse than trump, but they were affiliated with some group or network ... they didn’t summon everyone to appear.

[carmody]

I agree with you. These candidates will stand there allowing George Stephanopolous to shape America’s view of them but they won’t lower themselves to do a panel with Trump? STUPID. Trump has fans that are NOT Republicans. What are they afraid of? They should be taking every chance they get to stand before different audiences.

[pgkdan]

I agree but expect that some quiet way will be found to just kill the whole thing.

[elli1]

Apparently, she has something better to do one week before the caucuses than ring-kissing

Cooking Christmas dinner for 47 children takes a lot out of ya', you know.

[Rock N Jones]

“a huge mistake to not go forward with it”

I agree and hope it is a great success and sets a precedent for the format of future debates.

[concerned about politics]

I like Trump in there mixing it up. And when he barked, 0bama quivered behind Moochelle's skirt.

And this debate is sponsored by News Max. If News Max decided on Trump, I'm fine with it. So what are the other candidates running away from? The liberal media!!!

Imagine them having to face that same media in the White House. If they can't handle the media now, they' won't be able to do it later when the stakes are even higher. They're cowards. They ran and hid!

If they can't handle a little "negative" press from the left wing media now, they're not strong enough to handle the position of the presidency later.

[FreeReign]

She is wishy washy...just recently she suggested he may be her choice for VP!!!

Right-e-o.

When asked who she might name from the list of non-presidential contender, Bachmann said "We've got a lot of wonderful candidates who would fit that bill." "Easily comes to mind I think would be Senator Jim DeMint of South Carolina. Marco Rubio of Florida certainly would be in that category. There's a lot of great people out there. And Donald Trump is someone that I think a lot of people would be intrigued," she said. Bachmann, who has met with Trump a handful of times throughout the course of her campaign, stressed the urgency of the 2012 election.

Link

[ScottinVA]

If Ronald Reagan were alive today, would candidates who sought out his advice, counsel and wisdom be considered to be either feeding his or their own, 'ego trips'? The fact is, Donald Trump did more to smoke out the Kenyan Klown's FAKE birth certificate than anyone else did (and that will sooner or later, bite B'rack on his Communist ass, just you wait and see).

Quite a show, wasn't it, that "smoking out" of the BC? What again that accomplish, besides an opportunity for Trump to glorify himself?

As a highly successful, two-term conservative President Reagan has earned the honor of being a sought-after endorsement. Contrast that to Trump, a political chameleon whose donations to democrats far exceed those to Republicans, and STILL is mulling a third-party run against those whose "debate" he wants to "moderate." As for the comparison with Reagan, Trump doesn't belong in the same stadium, much less on the same field as the Gipper.

[exit82]

Considering how much free publicity this is generating, it would be stupid not to participate. It would also be a perfect opportunity to make Trump look foolish if he asked some misleading questions. Why this fear of Trump? It only serves to give him more credibility if you don’t participate.

I'm in agreement. What is the real downside to participating? I'm glad there will be a debate without some of the minor players providing a time wasting distraction.

I find it humorous to see the reasons the candidates are giving to not participating, when these candidates had no problem participating in MSM and Left wing (MSNBC) debates. Don't you think those moderators already know who they will endorse (Obama)? That did not stop the candidates from going on with the show.

I think the Trump debate could be very interesting to watch. I think it is foolish to pass up the exposure that could come from it, especially since some of these folks have already made the pilgramge to Trump Tower.

The discussion will be about real world solutions, not stupid or cutesy questions. If it is just Gingrich and Santorum, fine, I'll still watch.

[ScottinVA]

I agree but expect that some quiet way will be found to just kill the whole thing.

Hopefully.

[Psalm 144]

Just . . . Damn.

I was so hoping for more profound insights like “One thing I would say is, when you take the 9-9-9 plan and turn it upside down, the devil is in the details”. We need that kind of focus and ringing articulation of conservative principles of ordered liberty. After all, what do the Constitution or the Declaration of Independence -really- say if you read them backwards, hmmmm? Insights like these will be missed.

[almost done by half]

" the way this is going it may be Gingrich and Newt"

Say what?

[ScottinVA]

Trump is a ‘rat. Maybe not the typical commie kind frequently seen these daze, but a ‘rat none the less.

Amen to that. How people fail to see it is amazing to me.

[trisham]

I’m looking forward to it.

[concerned about politics]

I predict a disastrous outcome for those who attend if it takes place at all.

Oh, on the contrary. It'll almost be one on one without the others getting in the way. This one is going to be a class act. I believe serious questions are going to be asked this time, and serious people are going to be answering them.

Bachmann knows she can't win the big one, so she's sucking up to Romney for VP. I used to like her, but over time, by her fruits we got to know her.

She's running away from this. The questions are going to be contemplative. Rehearsed sound bites won't work this time.

[FreeReign]

I agree with you. These candidates will stand there allowing George Stephanopolous to shape America’s view of them but they won’t lower themselves to do a panel with Trump?

We've got Perry supporters and Bachmann supporters who won't see your point.

BTW, I like Bachmann, but her strategy this campaign cycle has been poor.

[Albion Wilde]

The Donald has the balls to ask probing questions. I think they should all go with bells on and really get down into this socialist mess and explain why Obama is wrong for the American people.