Open Thread: Donald Trump to Moderate GOP Debate
Later this month, running up to the Iowa caucus, Newsmax is hosting a debate in the Hawkeye State to be moderated by businessman, former potential candidate, and reality TV star Donald Trump. However, two candidates have already turned down the debate -- Rep. Ron Paul and Gov. Jon Huntsman. According to the Paul campaign, "The selection of a reality television personality to host a presidential debate that voters nationwide will be watching is beneath the office of the Presidency and flies in the face of that office’s history and dignity," and "will distract from questions and answers concerning important issues."
What do you think of the selection of Trump as moderator? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
While Trump's business side could bring an interesting perspective to the debate on economic questions, National Review's editorial this morning suggests that Paul and Huntsman made the right move to turn down the invitation to the debate.
...Michele Bachmann, Rick Santorum, and Newt Gingrich can, at least in this instance, be said to lack the good sense of Paul and Huntsman, as the three have RSVPed in the affirmative. The first two responses are perhaps understandable, if unfortunate, political moves — Bachmann is an avowed Trump fan, and Santorum’s poll numbers make it difficult for him to be selective. Gingrich’s decision is something worse. Sure, we see the angle: Gingrich excels in debates and he knows it, and in light of his threat to Romney in Iowa, his participation all but dares the yet-uncommitted Mitt to irk the pro-Trump rump of GOP voters by refusing. As a serious contender running a campaign with maximal pride in its own seriousness, Gingrich lowers himself by association with this consummately unserious man. Romney should refuse to follow suit.
We had hoped that after the brief and frivolous publicity stunt Trump branded as exploration of a presidential run, there would be no further occasion to rehearse the many ways in which his sometime association with the Republican party hurts the conservative cause. So we’ll keep it brief: Trump is a tax-hike-supporting, missile-defense-opposing, universal-health-care-advocating, eminent-domain abusing, Schumer-Weiner-Rangel-Reid-donating, long-time-pro-choice economic protectionist who in 2008 called George W. Bush “evil” and lauded president-elect Barack Obama as a potentially “great president” who would “lead by consensus.”
Do you think former Gov. Mitt Romney and Gov. Rick Perry should and will participate?
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Comments
Any truely serious and bonafide candidates...
Submitted by vrwc13 on Mon, 12/05/2011 - 1:37pm.
... should ignore this clown and refuse.
Why is it the Republicans continue to be duped into 'slaugterhouse' debates run by liberals or RINO's?
Where is the RNC in all this?
v
The burden of life is from ourselves, its lightness from the grace of Christ and the love of God. - William Bernard Ullanthorne
He should also moderate at
Submitted by lotr on Mon, 12/05/2011 - 1:37pm.
He should also moderate at least one of the general election debates.
Great point! I have two words for The Donald
Submitted by Blonde on Mon, 12/05/2011 - 1:47pm.
GO. AWAY.
Handy Reference Guide to Obama's Gaffes and Goofs ~ Currently Numbering 200 (and Counting)
Skip the circus
Submitted by Galvanic on Mon, 12/05/2011 - 2:09pm.
There have been more than enough debates at this point. Another one with Donald Trump becomes less political discourse and more reality TV show.
I don't blame any GOP candidates for skipping this one.
The GOP really needs to rethink this 13-debate scheme before 2016.
Yeah, and they also need to
Submitted by killa37 on Mon, 12/05/2011 - 2:56pm.
Yeah, and they also need to re-think the locations, the TV or cable channels, and the moderators...........since a lot of the present 'debates' have been counter-productive to our cause, and also filled with statements, questions, and other information that wasn't really precient or helpful to the candidates. The sooner we decide that we don't need the MSM, and the sooner that they figure out they need us, then things might start getting better for our side. The MSM is NOT our 'friend', and I'm sick of treating them like they're going to be............it's NOT going to happen under present circumstances.
Rev Al
Submitted by jon_torlin on Mon, 12/05/2011 - 2:41pm.
You know that school superintendent with the huge 900+ thousand payout and applied for unemployment or whatever?
I just saw her real briefly on Fox News, was a bottom of the hour news segment, she was making some sort of announcement or something, and Reverand Al was next to her, and he wasn't really paying attention to anything except his hair.
Anyone know what this representative of MSNBC was doing?
-Jon
Exposure is good for Republicans
Submitted by deadeyedan on Mon, 12/05/2011 - 2:43pm.
The Republicans are always going to look good taking opportunities to demonstrate that they are paying attention and that they know of the citizenry's disgust with what's going on (i.e., the Demon-crats and the Wizard of the White House).
Donald Trump may have his flaws but he is shrewd, is never afraid to speak his mind, is very energetic, has name recognition and has no problems with self-esteem. These traits are mirrored most by Newt Gingrich and are sought after by an electorate tired of artificially propped-up candidates who are "anointed" by operatives working in the shadows.
LIBERALISM - government of the people by the theories and for the ideologists
CLIMATEGATE (now I & II) - the revelation that the pseudo-scientists of East Anglia University know just as much about the atmosphere as Harvard law professors know about the Constitution
Trump imore than flawed . . .
Submitted by Galvanic on Mon, 12/05/2011 - 4:17pm.
"Donald Trump may have his flaws but he is shrewd, is never afraid to speak his mind, is very energetic, has name recognition and has no problems with self-esteem."
Which is why he's a disastrous choice for a moderator.
A moderator is necessary to frame the question, and keep track of the debaters times to respond.
Unlike what we have witnessed in these unfortunate 2012 debates, it is not the job of the moderator to interrogate the debaters, inject his/her personal opinion, or strike for the audience laughs.
In other words, a moderator should be a very unglamorous job.
Does anyone believe that it's safe to entrust Trump with it? Is anyone certain that the debate won't turn into a hybrid of "The Apprentice" and the Hannity Show? I think Romney and Huntsman are wisely staying away from this one.
And for those who think Trump isn't a Big Government guy, google "Vera Coking," or check her out in Wikipedia. Trump wants Big Government to get out of his way, until he needs to squash average American citizens for his profit. If you're fearful of unconstrained eminent domain, you should fear Trump.
Ron Paul was correct when he recently labeled Trump as a GOP false diety.
It's worth a try
Submitted by demjohn on Mon, 12/05/2011 - 3:09pm.
God forbid that the Republicans have a debate where the moderator doesn't think it's their duty to make every single one of them look bad. Trump's latest incarnation seems to want Obama to lose the next election as much as we do. This could turn out to be the best debate this election cycle.
Attention NB military personnel*
Submitted by cajun2 on Mon, 12/05/2011 - 3:11pm.
Congress passed a new bill this week co sponsored by John McCain. It is lengthy, covers many different issues regarding the military. My knowledge is limited but I picked up enough to really be concerned.
If NBers would be so kind as to review both versions of SB 1867 and do a brief analysis, would be much appreciated.
Both versions of the bill are here
It appears to be a bad link, Caj.
Submitted by UpNorth on Mon, 12/05/2011 - 4:00pm.
I have yet to read either version of the entire bill.
What BK and I have brought up is this, at least one of the versions passed, because of the repeal of DADT, does away with Article 125 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice. That was the article that banned sodomy. Well, that's now out of the way, so that the anti-DADT crowd will be pleased. Whether it was inadvertent or not, they also did away with the prohibition against bestiality. Wonder if that was an oversight, or if one of Levin's aides thought it would be funny to not keep that in place.
If you go to that page, though, and enter 1867 or S 1867, it comes up as "not a bill". Wonder if someone pointed out their idiocy and they pulled it, until they can clean it up.
upnorth*
Submitted by cajun2 on Mon, 12/05/2011 - 6:14pm.
Try this link:
They have both versions of SB 1867 listed and available in their entirety. The only problem is , if you do not "view" the link after 30 mins. , it shuts down.
I went to the site and it again has both versions posted. They are pages long, one section is about closing military bases, one is changing pay scales and retirement eligibility, and another about "security". Section 1031 is the section of interest. It appears the POTUS may have been given authority to use the MILITARY on domestic soil. Since I do not understand the inner workings of the military command,. I was hoping you guys could translate some of this stuff. They are even sections about joint activities with NRA and EPA, Dept Of Energy. What is the military doing getting involved with government security?
",,, a tax-hike-supporting,
Submitted by stratman on Mon, 12/05/2011 - 3:16pm.
Sounds like all the debate crews recruited from the Leftist media.
Rush Limbaugh hit the proverbial nail on the head today in saying the Left and establishment Right do not want a Conservative candidate, although for different reason but both having to do with maintaining their power. If Newt gets to be too popular, expect more attacks from Republicans and Right of Center media. Romney is the chosen one by both sides. The Left, fearing a Conservative will win, want Romney because he will lose to Obama. the Right, fearing a Conservative will lose the Presidency and seats in both houses of Congress, want Romney as a place holder who will lose but not scare off citizens from voting in more establishment Republicans to keep the House and maybe take the Senate, all the while keeping power out of the hands of Tea Party or Conservative politicians.
That's not going to happen
Submitted by Blonde on Mon, 12/05/2011 - 4:31pm.
I kind of like that the Tea Party is laying low for now.....lull the idiots into a sense of security.
The Establishment Republicans are on their way out. The 2010 elections should have shown them the writing on the wall, but per expectations, they are doing things the same way, in the vain hope that somehow this time the result will be different.
Like I said, not going to happen. The electorate is going to have the first word this time around, and probably the last one too.
Handy Reference Guide to Obama's Gaffes and Goofs ~ Currently Numbering 200 (and Counting)
I also believe the American
Submitted by stratman on Mon, 12/05/2011 - 5:35pm.
I also believe the American voting public has caught on to the shenanigans of the Beltway Bunch. The interim 2010 elections demonstrated America's disdain for both the Obama radicals and the business-as-usual types of all stripes, a message that was expediently ignored in Washington. I lamented Boehner and Cantor as two status quo ideologues who, for the most part, ignored the "mandate" of the people for a return to responsible governance. The treatment of Bachmann and new Tea Part elected officials following the 2010 elections by the Republican establishment elites was all the clue I needed that the GOP needs to be power-washed and deloused. The seniority method of selecting Congress' leadership obviously has nothing to do with true merit to hold such positions.
I dearly hope you are correct about the will of the People in this next election. I have concerns that our primary election process is not representative of the whole voting block. I am tired of a parsed selection process wherein a portion of the electorate make decisions for the whole. I want, at a minimum, a nationwide single same day of voting on all the candidates. If desired, take the top 2-4 and then let us vote again to decide the final "winner". Let everyone's vote count for a change.
All excellent points, Strat
Submitted by Blonde on Mon, 12/05/2011 - 7:48pm.
It is bizarre to me that we allow four states to shape the sum of the primaries, Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina, and Florida.
Also, we need to close ALL of the primaries to the indies. If they want to participate, let them register and stay registered through the general.
We need to punish the RNC for making the arbitrary primary rules, Florida is only going to get half its allotted delegates as "punishment" for having an early primary. Screw them! The RNC needs to be remade from the top to the bottom. Michael Steele was clueless, and Rince Priebus isn't any better.
Handy Reference Guide to Obama's Gaffes and Goofs ~ Currently Numbering 200 (and Counting)
Better Trump
Submitted by Marsh on Mon, 12/05/2011 - 4:04pm.
Than CNN or MSNBC.
Trump's Sideshow Deb(acle)ate...
Submitted by vrwc13 on Mon, 12/05/2011 - 5:10pm.
great article...
highlights:
Trump delights in his own ego trip, as the DEMS delight in his plan.
v
The burden of life is from ourselves, its lightness from the grace of Christ and the love of God. - William Bernard Ullanthorne
Trump's Sideshow Deb(acle)ate II the Sequel...
Submitted by vrwc13 on Mon, 12/05/2011 - 5:21pm.
yet another...
highlights of This is how we choose a president?
I heard about this proposed circus
...just what are we thinking? It looks like we're not.
v
The burden of life is from ourselves, its lightness from the grace of Christ and the love of God. - William Bernard Ullanthorne
"The Donald", Political Terrorist...
Submitted by bigdaddy on Mon, 12/05/2011 - 6:43pm.
The GOP is forced to kowtow to him because of his lingering threat to "Save Our Country" and run as a 3rd Partay Candidate. This would assure of having "BO for FO' MO'".
So would nominating Gingrich...
Submitted by PrairieSky on Tue, 12/06/2011 - 8:12pm.
That also would ensure another 4 years of Obama-
"Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction...It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them (our children) to do the same." ~President Ronald Reagan
N.M. Governor (95-03) Gary Johnson missed a great
Submitted by lrgon on Tue, 12/06/2011 - 3:25pm.
opportunity to use a memorable line during the early debates when he was asked about reality shows and "the Donald." Johnson answered with a mountain climbing reality show.
Ironically Johnson has been at the bottom of the GOP Mountain due to media ignoring his candidacy.
Too bad his idea for a reality show with Trump was not a reality show: Bankruptsy with "The Donald."
Trump would grade contestants on their ability to walk over their investors and cheat the public treasury and boot lick your way back to the top of the heap.
Those are quailites that "the donald" would find most charming.
http://thenewamerican.com/usnews/politics/7227-donald-trump-the-art-of-b...
Thank you Ron Paul
Submitted by Blonde on Tue, 12/06/2011 - 3:26pm.
Your hero isn't going, is he?
Handy Reference Guide to Obama's Gaffes and Goofs ~ Currently Numbering 200 (and Counting)
Enough!
Submitted by Unsane on Tue, 12/06/2011 - 3:31pm.
We get it, dude. You passionately, deeply, intensely hate every single human being on earth not named Douglas MacArthur (1880-1964), or Ron Paul. No one else is, or ever will be, good enough for you.
"CONSUMED DEMOCRACY RETURNS A SOCIALIST REGIME" - Slayer, "Fictional Reality", from Divine Intervention (1994)
Uns, you left out Irgon, those are the 3.
Submitted by UpNorth on Tue, 12/06/2011 - 3:35pm.
He hates everyone else. And, I don't think he's quite sure about himself.
If you love yourself, don't plagiarize...
Submitted by Unsane on Tue, 12/06/2011 - 8:51pm.
My reasoning is that if he truly loved himself, he wouldn't feel the need to plagiarize, and he would come up with his own thoughts, rather than just C&P jobs and posting links. (h/t to The Vet)
"CONSUMED DEMOCRACY RETURNS A SOCIALIST REGIME" - Slayer, "Fictional Reality", from Divine Intervention (1994)
Trump is a clown, and serious candidates should ignore him...
Submitted by PrairieSky on Tue, 12/06/2011 - 8:12pm.
Donald Trump is interested in what serves and what is best for Donald Trump, and why any Repub candidate would appear with him, anywhere, is beyond me. Why have any of these high profile Repubs wasted time in meeting with him? Why have a number of these people gone to meet him in NYC? Who the "h" is Donald Trump to the Repub Party? Why is he important in any of this? I don't get it...Trump turns anything that he puts his hand to into a smarmy, carnival-like circus, and all Repubs should have nothing to do with him.
"Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction...It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them (our children) to do the same." ~President Ronald Reagan