Posted on 12/08/2011 9:00:31 PM PST by 2ndDivisionVet
Sarah Palin, former governor of Alaska and almost-kinda-sorta-not-really presidential hopeful, encouraged GOP candidates to attend Donald Trump's presidential debate. Trump proposed the debate, which he will moderate, on December 27.
Trump's proposition was met with an interesting variety of responses, but most seemed to be based around the same premise: it wasn't something to be taken seriously. Jon Huntsman called the idea "a joke," Ron Paul called it "wildly inappropriate" and Mitt Romney recently declined the invitation as well. As it stands, only Rick Santorum and Newt Gingrich have confirmed their attendance. If things don't turn around soon, it will be a very small, and probably short, debate.
However, Sarah Palin had a different perspective. Advising candidates to focus on exposure, she suggested, "What is a bit appealing about this idea of Trump hosting a debate is, consider the diverse audience that perhaps he can attract." Indeed, while Trump is not exactly looked at as the senior authority on being taken seriously, there is no doubt that his name is well-known, and he could attract audiences that might not otherwise watch.
Sarah Palin herself is a rather controversial person, but she may have a point here. While some question whether Trump, once a presidential hopeful himself, could be expected to moderate without bias, the moderator is only part of the issue. Candidates would still have a platform with which to reach new audiences. It could also be argued that, by this point in the race, getting exposure to as many people as possible could only be beneficial. With Newt Gingrich currently being far ahead in some polls, perhaps it would be better for candidates to focus on a possible opportunity rather than who is moderating the debate.
Most any of them would go on the Leno, Letterman or John Stewart show in a minute and be made fun of, and they think Trumps debate is ridiculous??
Big mistake.
I think it is a big mistake also. I like Trump’s business directness and his common sense. I was disappointed to hear Bachmann turned it down...I really thought she would do it and shine.
I agree - Trump knows a hell of a lot more than any pundit, news-reader, or talking head on the air, and they’d jump at the chance to be humiliated and reamed by that puke from See BS News again, or some twit from NPR.
It’s not like Trump lacks credibility, having actually started companies, created jobs, and made lots of money doing it. If I were Trump, I’d let the rumor get started that I might be considering running on a 3rd party ticket - then watch ‘em squirm!
Sarahcuda is right as usual.
Trump is a jerk as usual too but no way he will run, he can read polls. And he
knows third party means a Ross Perot.
This will get big ratings when Michele and Perry reconsider.
“Does anyone else see the irony in Ron Paul’s statement, much less Huntsman’s? Milt must have “focus-grouped” this 5 ways to Sunday before deciding what to do.”
Ron Paul? OOOh wait, wasn’t he the guy/doctor blaiming 9/11 on the United States?
Maybe Trump should just let it leak, that he will be choosing a candidate to endorse from those that attend.
Don't Diss the Don, not smart.
Great point!
As to the others.. a pox on them. They so willingly fawn over media-hit-job faux-debates and go on enemedia shows like Letterman, yet cannot stand the heat in Trumps's kitchen? What a bunch of wussy weasels.
I too don’t understand why Bachman refused. I know she is not afraid of him. Yes, Trump is a powerful and smart businessman with a lot of common sense, very few of those types around anymore.
I was looking forward to this debate. I have a lot more respect for Trump than a lot of those Obama cheerleaders....errr....”journalists”.
I agree.
I think Perry should decide to join the forum, since some of his strengths involve furthering private businesses where people are employed. He’s proven to be successful in Texas on such matters and opposes excessive regulation by the Fed gov’t. ....He should be able to respond very well to Trump’s questions relative to business, trade, energy and jobs.
As to the others.. a pox on them.
I am actually proud of those that said no. These debates were scheduled months and months ago. If Trump was really as interested as he says, he would have scheduled this back then. Plus two days after Christmas? What a jerk. No wonder he can’t keep a wife. He and Newt can probably use old wedding rings for poker chips. They both have ZERO morals!!!!!!
They’ll go on these liberal hosted debates and be made to look like fools but run away from this? I am disappointed in them all.
Exactly! The candidates are willing to go onto those rancid late-night shows, where they are constantly the butt of jokes by the Obama-worshipping hosts. They join in debates (which have already been as crass and tacky as hell), sponsored by CBS, MSNBC, CNN, etc., where the condescending lefty moderators orchestrate questions and formats designed to make them all look foolish...
They are willing to basically grovel in those kind of venues, yet the prospect of the proposed Trump debate is somehow beneath them? That’s the part that gets to me, even if a certain wariness towards Trump is admittedly warranted. The big upside is that such a debate would probably reach a different audience beyond the conservative cable-news echo chamber, plus it would be far more likely an all-out barbecuing of Obama and his policies than the MSM debates would ever allow to happen.
Trump loves himself and that’s it.
The media has played hardball in pretty much wiping out each and every candidate that stands in the way of a Romney win. Their narrative is Romney as the GOP candidate and media run debates have done nothing but write this in stone.
If you like "predictable", months-ago ordered debates run by the Dem machine media, then I can see why you are pleased with this.
I am not and am glad to see someone acting the shitster against them.
Two days after Christmas is great! A lot of people take the week off and some who have been oblivious to the machinations of the media debates, just might want to tune in.
If a GOP candidate can go into the mouth of the Dem machine in order to put on a debate, I see nothing wrong with going into a Trump inspired forum.
What are they afraid of?????.... I think they are a bunch of wusses who have obviously given up their power to FOXNBCCSABCCNN and don't dare tread off of the Dem Media plantation. Screw them.
LOL! They are finally worried about a moderator being biased!!!!
Great Merciful Zeus: Longtime Romney Supporters Abandoning Him in Chicago. Is His “Inevitable” Victory Now Impossible?
December 8, 2011 by Kevin DuJan
http://hillbuzz.org/great-merciful-zeus-longtime-romney-supporters-abandoning-him-in-chicago-is-his-inevitable-victory-now-impossible-70104
(NOTE: read the comments, too)
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Larry J. Sabato’s Crystal Ball
12/08/2011
2012 Republican Race: The Field May Not Be Closed
Conventional wisdom is that the Republican presidential field is set, and that it is much too late for a new candidate to enter the race.
In years past, that would be absolutely correct. Over the last few decades, dozens of primaries and caucuses have been shoe-horned into the opening weeks of the election year, with the tendency on the Republican side for the front-running candidate to score a quick knockout.
But next year, the arrangement of the primary calendar is much different. It is less condensed at the front, much more loaded with events at the back, with the prospect of a viable, late-starting candidate quite real.
[snip] Continue reading here: http://www.centerforpolitics.org/crystalball/
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Could Sarah Palin Still Get in the Race?
“.....Feb. 14 is the last day that a late entrant could enter the race and reasonably be expected to do well in subsequent races.
The scenario looks something like this: http://voices.yahoo.com/could-sarah-palin-still-race-10634503.html?cat=9
Precisely.
Look, Trump has zero intention of running. EVER.
No way. Trump would never put himself out there to LOSE!
I don’t know why people even entertain the thought!!!!
Candidates should appear at the debate and those who don’t are declining for one reason:
they don’t think they’re going to get his endorsement.
Sheeesh.
If they show, they’re bound to get some donations!!
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