Trump says he ‘most likely’ will skip Thursday FOX News Debate

I think he would have shown up if Ben Carson were #2 in the polls. He won the last match up against Cruz, but probably feels that he doesn't want to risk going up the national debate champion again. Will this hurt him? Maybe, but I doubt it. It's safer than getting destroyed by Cruz in the debate. The point is not to let Cruz get momentum.

- - - Updated - - -

I wonder if any of the networks would actually go along with that. It sets a horrible precedent. Maybe MSNBC? Anything to beat FOX News in the ratings?

 

I think it's spot on and fits the Trump meme that the people seem to like. It's a big middle finger to the "system" and calculated to be just that. The "art of the deal" indeed. We don't like the terms change the rules, F' yeah! The electorate is looking for someone that thinks way outside of the box.

Being ripped in the debate will prove Donald's point, it will be sound and fury signifying nothing.

I can think of dozens of military and political maxims that apply, Sun Tzu comes to mind.

Cheers
Labour

 

I can see it now, the debate starts, first question put out and then Donald walks on stage.............Sucking the oxygen out of everyone else. He then goes on to answer all questions from every moderator but Megan purposely ignoring her.

 

You got it wrong. Fox is definitely a Republican network, completely unfair to and on the attack of Democrats, just like MSNBC is definitely a Democratic network, completely unfair to and on the attack of Democrats.

The attitude of moderators in the last Fox debate, not just Kelly, was a contest of which of the FOX moderators could make a more attacking statement at Trump, framed into a question and about Trump to other candidates telling them to attack Trump with it. The owner of Fox, Aires, by his history IS the Republican ESTABLISHMENT and DNC - and they don't want Trump. So it became attack Trump night.

It is a different situation than if a Democratic network's moderators attack Trump or Republicans. Those moderators have no credibility with cable news Republicans. But FOX does. So FOX moderators making mini-attack speeches at Trump, while guiding other Republican candidates to attack him as well - those moderators in control and declaring who is right and wrong - is very dangerous territory.

Please link me to your messages ranting and sheering that Clinton and Sanders are whimpy ass cowards for refusing to participate in a FOX debate. You can't, of course, because your views are just partisan hackery.

Trump not doing the debate is highly risky, but in the long run maybe he needs to try to get Republicans to recognize that FOX is not just the Republican network - but it is RNC's moderate Republican network who will not tolerate people outside their box - such as Trump, Carson and Cruz. In the long run, if Trump can not get Republicans to recognize that FOX is highly biased towards the establishment, in the long run FOX could blow him away anyway. So he figures better to take this issue on now, rather than later.

 

I heard Trump is scheduling a competing event to see if to gets higher ratings than the Republican debate.

So, do people want to hear what Trump says over what all the other Republican candidates say?

Maybe...

 

I'm sure Megyn does what she is told. Trump of course already knows this, and it is time all American citizens realize it.

Trump realizes he is a commodity. Why should he bring profit to those who oppose him?

 

The framework of the so-called debates is absurd and always has been. 3 people from a network ask candidates all a different question - not even the same question to all candidates. ONLY the network says what issues each candidate may promote or advance.

The debates should be about the candidates by the candidates on topics the candidates select. They should be more a free for all, for which the moderator is little more than a timekeeper.

I don't care what FOX, CNN, CBS or any other networks claims the NETWORKS says are the issues and then demand candidates address what the NETWORK wants them to. It should ONLY be the candidates selecting their own issues. Debates are NOT a press interview.

 

Trump is only going to show how phony he is.

 

Agreed. This stunt will not work for Trump, because it will be accurately painted as him running away like a whiner.

Trump did not "win" any debate. He is not doing well because of his debate skills anywhere. Such a debate as this, if Trump feels he is being asked "unfair" questions, the response is to do what any good debater does (see Cruz and Gingrich), to turn it into a golden opportunity by flipping it back on the moderator, or the system, or whatever target that you want. And then making mincemeat of them. Gingrich was a master at this, and Cruz is very good too. Trump is showing his wussie side, and his nose will be rubbed in it. Because he ran away.

You wish. In none of Trump's other feats did he run away. That is what folks liked. He has made a choice here to show that he gains something by avoiding the Conservative network, while he showed up for CNBC and all the other silly ones. Now he runs away. Cruz will make good hay of this.

Because "a good deal has something in it for both sides". Read Trump's books. Trump will now carry this petulant whiner label for the rest of the primaries. His supporters will be clubbed with it in the caucuses. He ran away from that horrific Meghyn Kelly !! Oh the horror she is !!!!

 

Yet a good leader will be capable in many areas, to include communication. Gingrich was a master at controlling any debate. So is Cruz, given the time that a full stage does not allow as well. Trump should relish the opportunity to go into an environment where he can make any question into his topic, exactly as Gingrich did. Cruz will, with his subtle brilliance, eviscerate the Donald.

 

True that Kelly was tough but fair but his majesty did not like it because she asked him why he made fun of Carly Fiorinska's face. a commoner such as you or I can make fun of her face because we are not candidates for POTUS.

 

Cruz has a much stronger ground game in Iowa and probably would have won the state anyway, but now it's a sure thing.

 

Trump is afraid to answer questions... he knows the questions, even from Fox, might highlight how stupid his positions really are.... Just saying he wants to murder women and children who are related to terrorists may get him wild applause at his rallies (it did) but this kind of stupid BS is not going to fare as well under questioning.

 

I think so. In every single caucus, those not supporting Trump will shove this in the faces of those who do.

"Your guy ran away". And it will be the simple truth.

 

Poor Trump, afraid of the good looking blonde woman in the black dress.

 

Fox is doing the bidding of the Rove/RNC Cartel. And the Cartel agenda is clear: Eliminate Cruz. Hobble Trump. Pray. Most of the smart Cartel money will be on Rubio, a traitor to the voters that already has proven easily swayed to the open borders CofC position.

Ace has it nailed

 

Agreed Hard-Driver, you old SOB. A candidate needs to be able to stand up to the media to get their message across. Each side complains about the media from time to time, what separates a good candidate from a bad one is actually being able to speak not just to the media, but to get your message across to the people.

- - - Updated - - -

Who cares who the media is backing? The media is always going to be going after you because of certain interest. A good candidate stands up to them, argues their point, and gets their message to the people. They don't take their ball away, and go home because the good looking blonde in the middle was mean to you.

 

I wouldn't make that much over it.

He may just be overdue for his nap.

 

Don't expect me to offer any defense of Trump on anything.

My point is that Fox did all they could to precipitate this.

 

No he is not far ahead of the entire field. He is locked right now in a dead heat with Cruz in Iowa. You cannot judge by the national polls. The Presidential election is NOT a national election. It is a series of state elections. He is in a dead heat right now with Cruz in Iowa and skips the last debate because he doesn't want to give Cruz a chance to respond to his negative comments face to face and he seems (*)(*)(*)(*) afraid of Megyn Kelly. It is you that does not understand.

 

If it were only that simple. You may have seen, but Cruz has already played this brilliantly, challenging Trump to a one-on-one. Trump will be painted as a wussie for skipping this debate. Cruz is giving him an opportunity to show he is not. Trump is now boxed in. Damned if he does, as Cruz will own him if he accepts,and damned if he doesn't, as the wussie label will stick even more, painting Trump as not truly ready for prime-time if he doesn't.

Master stroke by Cruz.

 

I take it you aren't defending him, but I'm simply stating if he can't stand up to one woman on a debate stage, doesn't make him look good. The dumbest thing a politician can do is act in fear of the media.

 

No way he goes head to head against Cruz on the Levin show. This is show piece by Cruz. He knows there is no way Trump will accept. It is an easy challenge to make for Cruz. That doesn't mean Trump is not scared to debate.

 

The move will further solidify his base, but from my perspective it makes him appear petty and unable to take the heat. If he can't take the heat from one Fox newscaster then he is not fit to be president. Compared to many of the challenging people he will face if elected Megan Kelly is a (*)(*)(*)(*)(*)cat.

 

It does if he doesn't accept. Even if Trump says 90 minutes but not on Mark Levin's Show it would be better then nothing. Either way if he doesn't accept he will look weak. Every speech now Cruz can say "I've offered Mr. Trump a fair debate, no moderators, no scary female journalist. Do you know what happened? He ran away." And he will have a point.