Posted on 07/16/2015 9:17:29 AM PDT by RoosterRedux
Since announcing his presidential bid last month, Donald Trump has thrown haymakers at a variety of candidates, but he’s gone after Jeb Bush with particular zeal. He has called the former Florida governor a “total disaster,” has asked “How the hell can you vote for this guy?” and has even gone after Bush’s Mexican-born wife on Twitter.
Now, those close to his campaign say, Bush, who has taken on the mantle of front-runner, is bracing for the possibility of a presidential debate pile-on — with Trump leading the charge.
Gaming out how Trump — a bombastic figure who refuses to abide by the usual rules of political decorum — will present himself has become a growing subject of speculation in Bush’s world. During one recent phone call with a political ally, Bush pointedly asked about the surging real estate mogul. What, the friend recalled the former governor wondering out loud, was behind Trump’s antics, and what was he trying to accomplish?
“Trump presents a challenge for Bush because he’s a hand grenade,” said Nelson Warfield, a longtime Republican strategist who has prepared a number of candidates for debates. “His people understand that and will be prepared for anything that comes their way.”
As the Aug. 6 debate grows closer, some Republicans are relishing the prospect of Trump tearing the bark off the former governor — or, at the very least, trying to trip him up. “Trump has one target and one target only,” said an adviser to a rival GOP candidate. “He’s going to bring a lawn mower for Bush.”
(Excerpt) Read more at politico.com ...
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El Jebito vs. The Donald
I have never watched anything on Pay-Per-View, but I would pay to watch that!
Huckabee owes the party elite NOTHING. And from his TV time, he knows how to work a crowd.
This is a debate where Trump will get, maybe, 30 seconds to deliver his message. Trump has never delivered anything in 30 seconds. He will look ridiculous and while he's fumbling around trying to make a point and nail Jeb to the cross I expect Ted Cruz to be slicing him, and the other candidates, like a surgeon.
Maybe Jeb can arrange for a timely illness ?
Cruz will not be slicing up Trump, or vice versa, they will both go after little Jebbie who needs to be drummed out of the race early.
That said, he still may blow the debate because of a lack of specifics. We'll just have to wait and see.
Cruz is a brilliant debater
The interesting thing to watch,I think, is the Cspan forum that preempted Fox. Cruz is in now and pretty much everyone but bush and trump are in Cspan. It will probably grow but 1 of the hosting News Paper is from Iowa and bush is losing Iowa so bad he has run for the hills.
I speculate that Trump will certainly go. He isn’t afaid of a bear much less a free broadcast of his popular views.
The Cspan format is much more informative allowing 5 minute answers and flowing exchanges.
Fox mess up bad with the subjective exclusion of wonderful candidates who desearve to be heard.
ROFL Good one =)
Jeb Bush is the single worse candidate in this race. He absoulutely cannot be allowed to win.
Cruz can take Bush at any time and he knows it. But take out Bush now and his support goes to Christie or Graham or some other establishment suit. What he needs to do is get all the fringe candidates like Trump and Perry and Carson out of the way so that he can consolidate conservative support behind him. In a heads up race, mano y mano, Bush vs. Cruz then Bush loses. In a three or four way race with Bush and Walker and Trump and Cruz then Bush wins. Cruz is bright enough to know that.
Looks like we have. However, Thank God Trump nor Cruz will be needing him nor a teleprompter. =)
When has he ever shown it? In all his speeches and all his interviews he has rambled and bragged and made wild promises, generally over the course of a few minutes. What passes for debates in our presidential election cycle are like nothing he's ever done before. He will be on stage facing an audience, a sizeable percentage of who don't think he has the gravitas to be president, and have to deliver a clear, concise message in a short period of time. I don't think he can do it. I fully expect Trump will demonstrate that lack of stature for the office for all to see. And I fully expect Ted Cruz to blow the doors off the place. And come August 7 then I think you'll see Trumps numbers dropping and Ted Cruzs numbers shooting up.
Yes, under Bush’s podium...
When Trump gets through with him, Jeb will be able to audition as a coloratura with the Met.
Cruz will not be slicing up Trump. Why would Cruz go through the trouble of calling a meeting with Trump, and why would Trump accept, if they were political enemies? Also, Cruz was out there loudly defending Trump regarding his remarks about illegal immigration. That was very risky and not the actions of a man who is out to derail Trump’s candidacy.
As a former New Yorker, I've seen him in many, MANY interviews over the years and he can be brief when he has to.
I wouldn't predict with any certainly that he will go one way or another in the debates.
It will be interesting to see how his stage presents compares to other candidates. I don't remember seeing him actually share the stage with anyone else.
He is. And as someone who debated in high school I can tell you that it's stressful enough with only a win or loss on the board. August 6 will be make-or-break for easily half the candidates on the stage and someone like Cruz, with his bacground and experience, will shine. Most of the rest will not. They will have their own "oops" moment like Perry did. Or they'll ramble and stumble and not get their message out. But Cruz will excel.
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