Fox News Couldn't Kill Trump's Momentum, Made Him Stronger

http://www.newsmax.com ^ | August 7, 2015 | Joshua Green

[NKP_Vet]

A few hours before Thursday’s Fox News debate, a friend of Donald Trump’s confided to me that Trump was nervous. Not about the competition — he could handle them. No, Trump worried about Fox News, and in particular, debate moderator Megyn Kelly. She’d been hammering him all week on her show, and he was certain she was out to get him.

He had canceled a Fox News appearance on Monday night, the friend said, in order to avoid her. (Trump’s spokeswoman wouldn’t confirm or deny this.)

It turns out Trump was right. His toughest opponents Thursday night weren’t the candidates up on stage, but the Fox News moderators, who went right after him — none with more gusto than Kelly.

Kelly, the whip-smart queen of Fox News' blonde stunners, went straight for the jugular. "You've called women you don't like fat pigs, dogs, slobs and disgusting animals," she admonished Trump. "Does that sound to you like the temperament of a man we should elect as president?"

But Trump saw her coming a mile away and cut her off. "Only Rosie O’Donnell," he barked, drawing cheers from the crowd.

When Kelly tried to point out that he had insulted more women than O’Donnell, Trump, as he would all night, steamrolled right past her. "The big problem this country has is being politically correct," Trump practically shouted, invoking conservatives’ favorite term of disdain. "I’ve been challenged by so many people and I don't frankly have time for total political correctness and to be honest with you this country doesn't have time either." The crowd went wild.

Maybe they were cheering because the question was apropos of something Rachel Maddow would ask, and they were, after all, Republicans......

[odawg]

“ANSWER ME, FRiends!”

When someone on this site uses the term “sexist” there is no question to be answered.

[HiTech RedNeck]

Even “get mad” is sometimes an idea... I wish there had been more, like get mad and then do just what, but that’s the frame they stuffed him into. The what’s more will follow. Anyone who makes this debate their prime picture painter is being foolish.

The flyover guys will love it... which to me is good news.

[Resettozero]

Fox is now no different than any other news network. They have gone Elitist.

More than a handful of years ago.

[HiTech RedNeck]

I think he would too. It stinks being dragooned into supporting the mediocre in order not to be a spoiler, but on the other hand he has to keep on living here too.

[odawg]

“...but if people did not like this, how will Trump do when the left-wing host types are hosting the debate?”

Kelly did her left-wing host type act just as good, if not better, than any left-wing host type.

[HiTech RedNeck]

Not saying Cruz is mediocre, I’m thinking in terms of what if another one rises to the top.

[Vendome]

Who?

[Oatka]

I'm about sick of the nonsense about Trump. The only funny thing about it is that is consistently blows up in the face of those spewing it.

AMEN.

[HiTech RedNeck]

Please go try your “lux” somewhere else.

Don’t jargon us to death, please.

“Sexist” just what is that supposed to mean? There are some terms of reproach that do vary by gender. You probably wouldn’t use “oaf” for female either. (Oafette?)

[Sontagged]

Was Carly a speaker at the Clinton event?

[43north]

“She’s a slutty, diseased c***. She’s a bitch and she’s loose with her vjj.”

You could say the same about chrissy wallace.

[tsowellfan]

I am more in the Cruz camp than in Trump’s.

I think many many who like what Trump is saying are also Ted Cruz supporters. Some in the media claim that Trump is taking votes away from Jeb Bush and Cristie. I don't see that at all. Those who are now behind Trump are anti-establishment, anti-MSM Tea Party voters and they see Obama-hugging Cristie and Jeb Bush as part of the John Boehner branch of the GOP.

Rubio and Perry will not benefit from Trump dropping out either.

Carson may benefit, Walker may benefit some, but Ted Cruz will benefit the most if Trump were to drop out.

[Catsrus]

I wondered what happened to Trump - as she had announced he was going to be on her show Monday night. Now I know.

[oldbrowser]

The object of challenging the candidates on their "weaknesses" was to see how they react and how well they can answer their critics.

With 10 people on stage, a substantive debate is not really possible. They had a chance to give the highlights of their stump speeches and field a couple of tough questions. It did appear that there was an attempt by Wallace to start a dispute between candidates, but most of that was wisely sidestepped by the candidates.

[Lazamataz]

Kelly: "You've called women you don't like, 'fat pigs,' 'dogs,' slobs, and disgusting animals,.... Your Twitter account has several disparaging comments about women's looks. You once told a contestant on 'Celebrity Apprentice' it would be a pretty picture to see her on her knees. Does that sound to you like the temperament of a man we should elect as president?"

Trump: "Shut your yammering bitch-ass up and make me a mother****ing sammich. (turns to other moderators) Now, a question from someone without droopy tits?"

[HiTech RedNeck]

Trump has tapped into a seam of righteous outrage. If one keeps faithful to that, it’s kind of hard to get shunted aside altogether.

This is not about Trump. This is about something bigger than Trump, that Trump has (if improbably) managed to get engaged into. I think it even has the potential to turn Trump more conservative than he has ever been.

[jjotto]

I don’t accept the premise that the RNC or the GOP nominee should accept a leftist moderator for a supposed fair debate.

Any debate should be the two opposing candidates with each other, not debating with a moderator.

[Tucker39]

I'm guessing Fox thought they could pull it off, and thought it worth the risk to be anle to wave Trump's scalp in the air; never mind that it would temove ALL doubt as to their fairness or balance. Well, they not only didn't pull it off; All 3 of the mods had their butts handed to them by Trump. He'd put each one's butt neatly into their little empty lunch sacks after he'd helped himself to their lunches. After the show, Krauthammer bloviated about how Trump had been stuned (😄) by the Mods, and had been thrown for a loss all evening. IN YOUR DREAMS, Charles "Bushy" Krauthammer. Rush Limbaugh once said that if he could somehow acquire somone else's brain, he'd be torn between requesting Justice Scalia's or Krautmer's brain. Things never stay the same. Since then, Scalia has done and said some unfortunate things that put a blotch on his appearance; and Chuck Krauthammer has gone round the bend, and is so far gone for Yebby that he fantacizes about Bush's opponents failing. I wonder how Rush feel about his 2 heroes today? Probably not too bad regarding Scalia, but he can't be all that happy with Charles. IMHO. NOTE: The FR software will NOT permit me to break this into paragraphs. FYI.

[LS]

Maybe you should phone Cruz HQ and tell him not to ever say "I sponsored legislation." That smacks of "Washington is broken" stuff.

I must say, since I met with him and suggested he drop references to "Health Savings Accounts" as a way to "replace" Obamacare, he has not used that phrase again.

[Resettozero]

Trump is just saying what people want to hear. Get’s people interested in voting again. I would imagine come convention time, he’ll drop out and endorse Cruz.

That's been my hope for several weeks.