Trump lowers expectations for debate

The Hill ^ | 7/30/15 | Mark Hensch

[jimbo123]

GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump said on Thursday he has “no idea” how he will perform in next week’s Republican 2016 debate.

Trump argued that he is a man of action rather than words during a news conference in Turnberry, Scotland, that afternoon.

“As far as preparing for the debates, I am who I am,” he told ABC News.

“I’ve never debated before, I’m not a debater,” Trump said. “I get things done. I don’t talk about it, I get it done.”

“Politicians talk about it,” he added. “They debate all over the place and nothing happens. I’m sort of the opposite.”

Trump then refused to guess on how he will fare during next week’s televised contest with nine other White House hopefuls.

“I have no idea how I’ll do,” he said of the Aug. 6 debate on Fox News. “Maybe I’ll do terribly, maybe I’ll do great.”

[Steely Tom]

The Hill still thinks Trump is a politician.

[Paladin2]

Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee.

[tcrlaf]

Lowering expectations is a GOOD THING.

You absolutely KNOW that some of the will walk in with prepared and focus-grouped “Gotcha” one-liners, like Obama’s “The 80’s called, they want their foreign policy back.”

[kjam22]

My guess is he is going to clean Jeb, Rubio, Christie, and the rest of the Rino’s clocks.

[Sacajaweau]

Sees the problem....Sets a goal....ponders the best way....and does it....!!

I use to be a 5 year goalie...now time is shorter.

[BenLurkin]

Here’s a suggestion:

No moderator. Just give each candidate fifteen minutes to argue their case.

Then stop.

[Sacajaweau]

He loves the words great, terrific etc etc....all positive

On the other hand is the word disgusting

[DoodleDawg]

Trump is not a disciplined speaker. He has a lot of problems staying on topic and not branching off into tangents after every sentence or two. The format of the debates, with a limited amount of time to answer a question or to give a rebuttal, will not be kind to him. The best he can hope for is to not come off looking too bad and then make up for it at campaign events afterwards.

[kjam22]

Yep.... or just put them all in the same room. Half a dozen cameras with operators, and a body camera on each of them.... and say start. Then say finish an hour later.

[spetznaz]

He does make a good point. Many politicians, both 'ours' and 'theirs,' have quite a gift for gab. They can use a lot of words thay can move spirits and stir emotions, and they sound good. However, many of their words are a mixture of inspiration and entertainment (I personally believe that debates are becoming more and more a form of entertainment using ideas rather than a platform for ideas, but I digress).

Business people, on the other hand, know thay communication is important. Very important, and effective communication can save the day. HOWEVER, they know that the final measure is results. Words are good, and big words are great, but at the end if the day it is about results.

And that's something that Trump knows better than any politician ....'ours' and 'theirs.' And I say this as someone who doesn't fully believe Trump is for real, but as a corporate being his currency is results as opposed to politicians who have words as coin.

[Salvey]

He also likes the word “terrible.”

[LostInBayport]

You absolutely KNOW that some of the will walk in with prepared and focus-grouped “Gotcha” one-liners, like Obama’s “The 80’s called, they want their foreign policy back.”

The danger in that is someone like Trump won't just put on an uncomfortable smile and remain silent like Romney did. He'll barb right back, and if Graham or Perry don't have a scripted comeback and can't think quickly, they'll be the ones standing silently with a grimace as the audience laughs. Something like:

Trump: That's very clever, Rick. Not only do you have new glasses, but you've got good script writers. I remember telling you to hire some when you called me asking for money in 2012.

[Kartographer]

Cruz will out shine all there.

[Talisker]

“As far as preparing for the debates, I am who I am,” he told ABC News. “I’ve never debated before, I’m not a debater,” Trump said. “I get things done. I don’t talk about it, I get it done.”

LOL, notice he did not say he wasn't preparing.

[BigEdLB]

I’ve never debated before, I’m not a debater,” Trump said. “I get things done. I don’t talk about it, I get it done. Politicians talk about it,” he added. “They debate all over the place and nothing happens. I’m sort of the opposite.

Thou art a magnificent sandbagger, Mr Trump.... LOL.

[deport]

Trump needs to remember to stay focused on his points and forget arguing with the
other candidates. Just promote his agenda using positive ideas and let the others
argue amongst themselves.

[BenLurkin]

It would either be cacophonous chaos — or they would have to pick a moderator from amongst them and lay out ground rules.

The former would be disastrous — the latter could be very interesting.

[jimbo123]

He’s preparing like hell. And polling his test responses and positions like hell.

[Sacajaweau]

The one worders replace the blah blah blah of the politicians.