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.
Exactly so!
They're afraid they won't get his endorsement.
Do you EVER have anything positive to say on any subject?
I didn’t realize we had a “timeline” to keep on this battle for our country. I weep for people who think like this.
Bachmann seems to run interference for Romney on stage and off. This is no surprise that this decision aligns with his early pass on Trump.
[ Big mistake. ]
Agreed.. I am watching to see who does not attend..
Whoever don’t attend will NOT get my vote.. in the primarys..
Big Mistake..
Cain would have attended.
...”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”...
She is exactly right..I have not watched the other debates because I know who I support already..However, I would watch a debate run by Trump..It would be different and more interesting.
We could also accuse Perry of running interference for Romney.
Perry turned this debate down prior to Bachmann.
What’s wrong with a “debate” that is NOT run by a partisan Democrat working for Obama?
Expectations have been lowered so much for what we expect in a President just look who and what we have ended up with occupying the peoples house?!
If Trump endorses Newt after this...
For those who loosely use the word ‘cowards’ referring to those who don’t accept the summons of The Donald, I would use this war analogy.
Who is the braver, a squad of volunteers who accept a known dangerous mission into the enemy’s territory or the people who prefer stay in the ‘green zone’ to play golf with the ‘General’ to garner his support for advancement in rank?
Michele...you go on Fallon, but dismiss Trump? Seriously...WTF? Sarah is right...it is all about reaching a new audience.
Perry once again snatches defeat, from the jaws of victory.
Perry of all the candidates, should stop playing defense.
Perry should go, and kick butt at Trump’s debate.
Big mistake for Perry to chicken out of this. Nobody will be impressed, and a lot will be disappointed.
I’ve wanted to like Perry since the beginning of this primary race, and he’s prevented that at every turn.
Does he imagine we’re out here, all hoping for the next George W Bush???
They would all probably enter this debate if Trump stated he is not going to run.
Or maybe they think he has already decided who he would endorse. They may think he will make that person look good.
Who knows?
I kind of liked this idea of a debate, but I sure wish Trump would quit threatening to run.
Indy, the day of, or the following day of the Romney decline, Michelle declined, Hotair reported. Perry is not showing independence either, by buying into the hype against Trump as moderator. Ridiculous miss for all of them. But, look where their poll numbers are. Newt/Santorum, 2012. Now there’s a ticket with fear of the establishment.
You forgot the sarcasm tag.
One might as well attend a debate sponsored by Obama. Trump is threatening to run "third party", which will reelect Obama.
Yep. The second tier candidates who need traction to stay alive should have jumped at this chance to get out in front of the American people and state their case. I’m not a Trump fan either. But the candidates could have really up’d their own cred by taking him on.
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