His press statement reminded people Clinton stole the election or cheated against Sanders. Reminded people why they hate Clinton and allowed publicly be against the debate.
So Trump steps away from the debate after damaging Clinton and no loss to him.
If Trump was a general he would be Alexander the Great - because he is unconventional and brilliant out of the box when it comes to media politics.
You missed the point entirely. Trump should not do anything to compromise his newly minted conservative credentials in an attempt to lure Bernistas to his side. That’s flagrant pandering and it won’t work. He should, instead, contrast everything that Bernie represents with the system of capitalism that Bernie derides, but that has made us the richest and most powerful nation in the history of the world. While you’re advising Trump to play parlor games there are others at 10,000 feet, looking at the big picture, and hoping he will contrast Bernie’s collectivism against liberty. Freedom always wins if it’s given a chance.