Posted on 07/22/2015 10:22:23 AM PDT by smoothsailing
July 22, 2015
By Dylan Byers
Somewhere in a parallel universe, top-ranking Republican presidential candidates Jeb Bush, Scott Walker and Marco Rubio are gearing up for an inaugural primary debate where they will make their pitches to voters, contest one another’s policy proposals, and calmly try to skirt attacks from tea party insurgents and nothing-to-lose outsiders.
Unfortunately for them, this is not that universe. This is Donald Trump’s universe.
So instead, on Aug. 6, in Cleveland, the GOP hopefuls will appear stage right and stage left, flanking a real estate mogul and reality television star who is all but certain to steal the spotlight, go on the offensive and thwart their hopes for a peaceful debate.
Trump’s presence at center stage — his reward if he maintains his lead in the polls — is likely to transform the first Republican debate into a major media event, bringing big ratings to Fox News, the debate sponsor. By the same token, however, it will likely turn the traditionally policy-focused event into a pageant of personality, which is a potential nightmare for other candidates.
“I think you have to assume he’ll be loud and aggressive and do everything he can to stay on offense,” former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, who gave the most commanding debate performances of the 2012 primary cycle, told POLITICO. “Trump is very smart, he has lots of TV experience and is absolutely uninhibited.”
Considered almost unthinkable just five weeks ago, Trump’s appearance at center stage is now the most inconvenient of truths for the would-be Republican front-runners. From Madison to Miami, campaign aides are already wrestling with the Trump factor — strategizing on how to engage with him (if at all) and how to stave off his attacks.
“He might be the only person on that stage with nothing to lose,” said one senior Republican campaign adviser, “and he isn’t going down alone.”
At the same time, candidates will be eager to ensure that they aren’t just playing bit parts in a two-hour Donald Trump show. That will be especially challenging given the feverish media attention surrounding the notoriously braggadocious front-runner.
“Unless everything changes in the next two weeks, which is always a possibility, I imagine Trump will be pretty much the top five stories of the debate just by showing up,” said Mark Leibovich, the chief national correspondent for The New York Times Magazine.
“There’s the ‘Will the other candidates attack Trump?’ story, the ‘Will Trump hold his own as a serious candidate?’ story, the ‘Will Trump have a grasp of the issues?’ story, the ‘What attention-getting thing did Trump say?’ story and the “Did you hear what Trump said about Candidate X?’ (or ‘What did Candidate X say to Trump?’) story, etc,” he continued. “Maybe someone like Jeb can sneak into the top six.”
Trump’s influence on the debate isn’t just a headache for candidates, it’s a headache for the Republican National Committee, which had sought to gain greater control over the debate process after the chaos of the 2012 cycle. Despite the party’s effort to distance itself from Trump’s litany of controversial comments, there’s nothing it can do to prevent his appearance on stage in Cleveland. Given his current standing atop the GOP pack, he would have to shed almost all of his supporters over the next week to fall out of the top 10.
But the real challenge rests with the candidates. The stakes are particularly high for Bush, who has been the target of much of Trump’s verbal assault over the past month. How Bush responds — or doesn’t — could determine how conservative voters who have been skeptical of his candidacy view him. Other candidates, meanwhile, are hoping that Trump-Bush skirmishes leave the Floridian bloodied.
For Bush and other top-tier candidates like Walker and Rubio, anticipating Trump’s approach to the debate is of paramount importance.
Perhaps no one is better suited to offer advice on the subject than Gingrich, who surged to the front of the 2012 GOP field — twice — in large part because of his dramatic performances at the debates. Indeed, Gingrich saved his campaign from ruin by attacking a debate moderator who dared to ask for his reaction to the negative press reports that were commanding the day’s headlines. CNN’s David Gergen called it “one of the most explosive moments … in debate history.”
For Gingrich, taking on Trump is a matter of understanding the enemy: “Avoid anger, because I don’t think anybody on that stage can out-anger Trump,” he said. “His natural style is aggressive. It’s not like he has to become aggressive. He wakes up and he’s aggressive.”
Trump might be more susceptible to humor, the former speaker offered: “If you remember, Reagan used ‘There you go again’ with Jimmy Carter to enormous effect. He used ‘My opponent’s youth and inexperience’ with Mondale to great effect,” Gingrich said, referencing two of Ronald Reagan’s most famous quips. “Something closer to Reagan-esque humor could be very formidable.”
But the best strategy, Gingrich added, is to ignore Trump altogether — at least, to the degree that that’s possible.
“Candidates ought to focus on communicating with the American people, not focusing on Donald Trump,” he said. “The candidates who do the best will be the candidates who talk most directly to the American people, rather than getting sucked into fighting with Trump.”
Steven Shepard contributed to this report.
I think Cruz is much sounder on Constitutional philosophy and knowledge, much sounder on just about everything than Trump. However he lacks one quality that will be required to win this thing, getting the voters’ attention. Trump has that. If Trump can address the importation of Moslems into the country with the same energy as he talks about the wetbacks he will probably carry the day.
I agree with ya but this time I am 100% Cruz.
I think Bush has the big money behind him. Although I’m from Texas and like GWB, I think America has had enough Bushes so therefore he can’t win. Plus the fact he’s for amnesty.
Sometimes like Reagan a candidate earns a lot of positives with comedy. I think Trump telling Bush during the debate “YOU’RE FIRED” will get good laughs and end Jeb’s campaign.
They've been trying to "Palinize" Trump since his announcement speech. I agree he needs to be matter-of-fact at the debate and let his positions on the issues slap the others in the face.
My guess is that he will do exactly that.
He will save the bomb throwing for his rallies.
So Trump shows up and acts like the consummate statesman... the rest are so primed for action that they wind up acting out the windbag buffoon roles...lol
And can you just imagine stiff Jeb! Bush trying to pull off humorous remarks!? lol
I can see Jeb now asking his campaign advisors, “how do I get Trump to stop saying, I’m fired.”
...... The water cooler crowd is buzzing .... people are forced to discuss what this Trump guy is talking about. The young folk who, up until this election, probably never knew what a Republican was all about have their ears peaked and perked.
.......Hopefully all America might genuinely be interested in an election. Perhaps the electorate may actually turn out in droves to vote their mind.
No, if specific answers are required, then Trump better have good answers or he is sunk.
So it's either Trump or the questioner that will look stupid.
Yep. Pretty hard to believe that Chris Wallace, Megyn Kelly and Bret Baier aren't going to all compete to play gotcha with Trump, sucking air from the rest of the room.
There are reasons why the immoderators are high-profile and that there's two too many of them. The media wants the memes and narratives. As it was without Trump, answers weren't going to be more than a minute each per candidate.
Actually, Trump can not dominate the debate even if wants to. He will be allocated precisely 1/10 of time.
I think it will be pretty normal debate, with 8 candidates attacking Trump.
But the best strategy, Gingrich added, is to ignore Trump altogether — at least,
to the degree that that’s possible.
****************
That is the way to approach him and his show but it may not be entirely possible.
I don’t know how Fox has the format set up and if there can be any cross or direct
q/a amongst the participants.
Its up to the other 9 people—IF they are bold, show leadership and don’t get into a pissing match with trump—they can shine. They should follow Ted Cruz who is a great debater and not Trump. You are playing in his ballywick—you can’t be more bombastic than Trump—so be your own man! In the End Trump will have proven to have made the GOP a better place.
the dominant media started that today. They had dead end candidate Kasich and Fiorina on. They touted a poll with only bush, walker, and Rubio vs Hillary in key states.
Too bad there is no way to by pass the dominant media for the information voter or the effete idiot voter.
Coming Soon to a tube near you..
The Apprentice
The WH Years
FRee Popcorn with admission.
At the very least, Trump will show the Three Stooges moderators for the petty hacks they are. Other serious candidates should indeed follow his lead on this.
We have to nominate someone that can attack the left with a smile. Trump can’t do that, but Cruz has shown he can.
8 on 1 ?
Can’t wait to see it..
WWE Trump Style
Wonder how many FReepers supported Newt in the 2012 primary? As much as many liked his statements, including this FReeper - he got nowhere.
Another great graphic!!!
“He’s like a bull that carries his own china shop around with him”.
Perfect, and not a adequate matador in sight! LOL!
“He might be the only person on that stage with nothing to lose,” said one senior Republican campaign adviser, “and he isn’t going down alone.”
I just love this statement it sums up whats wrong with politics.
What do the other candidates have to lose? NOthing really. Walker can go back to being Governor, Jebbie can stay rich and do whatever was keeping him off the streets before he decided he could be President. Rubio can go back to his law firm although we all know he’s going to run for Governor of Fla. Rand Paul can just win another 6 years in the Senate and Ted Cruz can go back to his senate seat and sit down. Carly Fiorna can continue on with increased speaking fees and however many millions she’s already worth. Ben Carson can stay well off and retired. Huck can get his show back on Fox and live in his new multi million dollar house down in Fla. Rick Perry will be popular on the lecture circuit and the lobby racket.
So how ridiculous is that statement that Trump is the only one who has nothing to lose? He’s the only one so far that has lost anything by running.
Consider the source, a “senior Republican campaign adviser”.
LOL, Probably Karl Rove. 8^)
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