'Fired' up: Paul & Huntsman refuse to attend Trump-led 'circus' debate...

The London Daily Mail ^ | December 5, 2011 | Staff

[2ndDivisionVet]

He’s not even running for president, but Donald Trump's latest venture has some Republican candidates riled about the 'circus' it would become.

It was announced Friday that the real estate mogul and Apprentice host would lead the event between White House hopefuls on December 27.

The timing is crucial, as it is scheduled to take place just one week before the Iowa primary, which is the first of the 2012 election race.

But at least two of the candidates said Sunday that they refuse to take part.

Ron Paul's campaign said in a statement that Trump's presence is 'beneath the office of the presidency' and an 'unwanted circus-like atmosphere.'

The statement went on: 'Mr. Trump's participation as moderator will distract from questions and answers concerning important issues such as the national economy, crushing federal government debt, the role of the federal government, foreign policy, and the like.'

Jon Huntsman, the former Utah governor and another Republican hopeful, joined Mr Paul in rejecting the debate invitation.

Not to be outdone by Mr Paul, Mr Trump issued a stinging comeback at the congressman later Sunday, calling him a 'clown-like candidate.'

He also pointed out that Trump’s own favourability eclipsed Paul’s during rumours of his own possible candidacy.

Trump told the New York Daily News: 'I am glad he and Jon Huntsman, who has inconsequential poll numbers or a chance of winning, will not be attending the debate and wasting the time of the viewers who are trying very hard to make a very important decision.'

[JohnKinAK]

They are right; Trump is just a celebrity media-whore. And I suspect a covert Obama supporter/operative.

[mnehring]

LOL, I’m not a Trump fan but Paul saying going to him is below the office of the President is ironic from the guy who regulars Alex Jones’ program and the Council of Conservative(sic) Citizens radio show.

[no-to-illegals]

Culling the field or was it a herd with a stampede gate? Trump (being a businessman) has a stake in zer0 being defeated. Bet the liberals are about to see the herd coming up over the horizon ... Headed at their poor little hearts, and bless their poor little hearts.

[SaxxonWoods]

A confident candidate will want to do this show. It will be the most-watched of all the so-called debates.

[2ndDivisionVet]

Indeed.

[Lazlo in PA]

Circus or not, if I were a candidate I sure would be in attendance. Things are still very fluid and someone might be able to really break out and knock Newt out.

[353FMG]

I can’t keep up with the debate schedule. Will there be one between now and December 27?

[Aria]

I’d think Trump would be a few rungs above those idiots at CBS - I think it was - the “moderators” who were obviously advocating for the left.

[The Cajun]

Paul & Huntsman refuse to attend Trump-led 'circus' debate...

Who are these people Paul and Huntsman?

Nuff said.

[tcrlaf]

“Paul & Huntsman”

So, we might have an actual debate, with actual candidates that have a chance at winning, then?

[lmr]

Trump is just a celebrity media-whore.

Maybe so, but people know who he is and this debate will get high ratings. The general public doesn't know who Huntsman is, and Ron Paul is barely on their radar. Hunstman and Paul will not be missed

And I suspect a covert Obama supporter/operative.

You must be a Paul-bot. The conspiracy theory is a dead giveaway.

[lmr]

Who are these people Paul and Huntsman?

Crybabies. That's what they are. That's all Ron Paul is, anymore. He just whines about everything. This isn't a man we want as President.

[mylife]

I agree that this Donald stuff is a distraction.

[lmr]

Things are still very fluid and someone might be able to really break out and knock Newt out.

And who would that be, exactly? It's Newt's to lose, he can only hurt himself at this point. No one else can touch him.

[berdie]

If true, Ron Paul did an interview with Al Jazeera, did he not?

[lmr]

LOL, I’m not a Trump fan but Paul saying going to him is below the office of the President is ironic from the guy who regulars Alex Jones’ program and the Council of Conservative(sic) Citizens radio show.

Bingo. Paul's only claim to fame is that he revels in attacking his own party, that's why lefties mostly leave him alone and even promote him and always push him to run 3rd party. He's their useful idiot.

[2ndDivisionVet]

I do believe so. Didn’t he also talk with Press TV, which is Iran’s network?

[BagCamAddict]

Here’s another poll on the GOP race that just got started, so the numbers are very skewed right now. Everyone can forward it around to anyone planning on voting in the Republican GOP primary or caucus, in an attempt to get a larger and more representative voting base:

http://micropoll.com/t/LEzBOZFlnc

[JohnKinAK]

The Club For Growth has rated Mr Trump as extremely liberal. Is the CFG a Paul-Bot Conspiracy?

It’s not my fault you are either too blind or too stupid to see Trump for what he his..........A Pro Abortion, Tax and Spend Liberal.