Trump campaign mgr: 'I just don't see' a successful Fox debate

The Hill ^ | 1/27/17 | Mark Hensch

[jimbo123]

Donald Trump's campaign manager said early Wednesday he cannot envision high ratings for Fox News's upcoming presidential debate without the GOP front-runner.

"I just don't see in any way where Fox is going to have a successful debate now when you've got the clear GOP front-runner who has decided to walk away from this debate because he can't be treated fairly at the debate state," Corey Lewandowski said on MSNBC's "Morning Joe."

"You know, maybe Fox News was going to have a 20-25 million person debate. But without Mr. Trump's participation, I think they may have a one or two million person debate."

-snip-

"[Mr. Trump] at best is not going to be toyed with. [He is] a person who understands when a bad deal is in front of him and is ready to walk away from a bad deal."

[jimbo123]

Related:

Google and Fox TV Invite Anti-Trump Muslim Advocate to Join Next GOP TV-Debate

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/3389018/posts

Fox News and Google have invited three YouTube personalities to ask questions at the Jan. 28 GOP debate - including a Muslim advocate who describes Donald Trump as a bigot and who visually portrayed him as being in agreement with national socialist Adolf Hitler.

“We have a presidential candidate whose loudest message reeks of hatred and Islamophobia... turning on the news now is scary, and oftentimes, humiliating,” the Muslim woman, Nabela Noor, says in a December YouTube video.

[Resettozero]

Do you think this means Trump has conceded Iowa, the State that rarely chooses the eventual nominee, to Cruz?

[The_Victor]

Just hazarding a guess here, but I’m betting that Trump wants to demonstrate who the attraction is to the debates.

[SubMareener]

This is what it means: You are watching how Trump would handle any entity that would disrespect the USA.

Analysis from Dilbert’s creator, Scott Adams:
http://blog.dilbert.com/post/138125409321/trump-fox-news-and-megyn-kelly-explained-master

[Smokin' Joe]

....including a Muslim advocate who describes Donald Trump as a bigot and who visually portrayed him as being in agreement with national socialist Adolf Hitler.

LOL!! The Nazis got along great with the Muslims!

Anyone who checked out the history of the Muslim Brotherhood would know that!

[GregoTX]

Very interesting move. Trump could possibly pull the power and control out from the media, I am curious to see if that happens.

Fox put in a Moderator that admitted she is gunning for the GOP front runner and they are putting in an anti Trump moslem. I have seen people claim Trump is scared of Megan, I do not agree... this is a bold move.

I am a Cruz supporter, but I really like how Trump shows no fear of the media. I have some issues with Trump, but his handling of the MSM is not one of them. I don't know what will come of this move, but it has my attention.

[jimbo807]

With Trump not there, who will take the heat in the debate?

[Louis Foxwell]

We have not seen the likes of Trump in our lifetime. I watched him at his presser last night. He is relentless, focused and does not suffer fools.
The more I spend time watching him at work the more I am convinced this is precisely the man we need to straighten out the mess our nation has become.
Trump is arrogant, self serving and an egotistical giant but he listens and deals directly with people. He has a heart strengthened in the blast furnaces of the USA. Perfect.

[McGruff]

If Trump can pull one or more candidates off the debate stage with him he will have embarrassed the h*ll out of FNC. Stay tuned.

[LostPassword]

Do you think this means Trump has conceded Iowa, the State that rarely chooses the eventual nominee, to Cruz?

What he's done the last few days has made me think 2 things
1) He thinks he's down in Iowa with Rs. But Iowa lets independents (and anyone) register on the day of the caucus. He thinks he can appeal to enough non-Rs that he could win Iowa

2) He's switched to the general election campaign. After Iowa he thinks he'll not only win the most delegates, but will win enough that R "leadership" cannot manipulate the convention to give the nomination to someone with fewer delegates. So he'll spend the rest of his primary campaign appealing to independents and democrats who he needs in the general.

[Resettozero]

I am a Cruz supporter, but I really like how Trump shows no fear of the media. I have some issues with Trump, but his handling of the MSM is not one of them. I don't know what will come of this move, but it has my attention.

Agree.

The flame wars on FR are changing no one's mind. Not sure why so many regular thread-starters on FR are pitting Cruz against Trump and Trump against Cruz. It's not working...as many FReepers apparently agree with you and me and are watching to see how this political process plays out later this Winter and Spring, all the while supporting our preferred candidate without engaging in the reckless and unproductive tomfoolery going on here at FR fueled by the same recognizable posters.

[Theo]

Trump is acting like Trump. It’s all about Trump. And if Trump isn’t there, then it’s nothing. Because Trump is the only important thing. Trump is all about Trump. “Make Trump great again!” is his campaign motto. Trump.

[TontoKowalski]

I think Trump could completely run the debate into the ground.

A REAL fundraiser needs entertainment, right?

So, how about making it half town hall or rally and half entertainment.

For example, Loretta Lynn coming out and doing a few songs and Ted Nugent a bit later.

[The_Victor]

Trump does seem to have a penchant for drama. He has a celebrity’s draw in the media. It’ll be interesting to see what happens to the debate ratings.

[11th Commandment]

This is easy- Trump was going to lose Iowa despite the polls. Trump wants to run the tables and did not want an Iowa lose. Now he can blame Iowa on FOX news.

[Ms Mable]

With Trump not there, who will take the heat in the debate?
************************************************

I believe they will now pivot to praising/propping up “their” candidate. I’m guessing Rubio?

[Dick Vomer]

Trump and Cruz should both bolt and have a REAL debate. Topics, time limits and responses without moderators. FOX and all the media would implode. Oh my it would be epic.

I think Bernie will win and have either Hillary or Joe as his running mate... just saying.

[jimbo807]

I don’t know. They hate Ted as much as they hate Trump. Do they inflate Marco or deflate Ted? The Muzzie will be there to throw some bombs, too.

The real fight will be between Rubio, Ted and Jeb. The best part is that while they all try to not offend islam, Donald will be raising money for those who were injured fighting radical Islamic terrorism. Nice contrast.

[deport]

With Trump not there, who will take the heat in the debate?

**********

In absence it will still be .. Trump