Patterico's Pontifications

1/26/2016

Fox News To Donald Trump: You’re Fired!

Filed under: General — Dana @ 6:13 pm



[guest post by Dana]

Donald Trump will not be attending the Fox News primary debate this Thursday. As you know, he has been threatening to boycott it because his nemesis, that diabolical blonde, Megyn Kelly, is scheduled to be the moderator. I guess he thought he had more clout than Kelly and that Fox News would give him a lollipop and replace her, but Roger Ailes made the smart decision to call his bluff and stand by Kelly:

Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump said on Tuesday night that he is backing out of Thursday’s primary debate in Des Moines, Iowa, which will be broadcast by Fox News Channel. The decision comes with just days until the Iowa caucuses[.]

“Megyn Kelly is an excellent journalist, and the entire network stands behind her,” Ailes said in a statement. “She will absolutely be on the debate stage on Thursday night.”

What’s funny is the man who wants to hold the most powerful position in the world was seemingly unable to make the decision of whether or not to appear at the debate, and ended up seeking counsel from his closest advisors: the Twittersphere.

If Megyn Kelly’s presence was truly the real problem with the Fox News debate, then there is no reason for Trump to not enthusiastically accept Ted Cruz’s personal invitation to him:

Untitled-1

I’m looking forward to it!

–Dana

103 Responses to “Fox News To Donald Trump: You’re Fired!”

  1. What a big baby!

    Dana (86e864)

  2. very shrewd of Mr. Trump I think

    no other front runner in history has ever been as defiant of the biased liberal media as Mr. The Donald

    nobody’s even come close

    it’s a new thing

    this is what we need in a president – someone what recognizes a biased agenda and just says hey losers

    homie don’t play that way

    happyfeet (831175)

  3. Don’t you look forward to him in a one-on-one debate with Cruz, happyfeet? They are the leading candidates and it would be a great opportunity for both Trump and Cruz to articulate their positions and policies for the voters. Aren’t our votes worth that effort?

    Dana (86e864)

  4. Oh, Dana, I agree! I would love to see Mr. Trump debate Senator Cruz on Constitutional issues and division of powers. Wouldn’t that be fun to watch?

    It would be interesting indeed to have Mr. Trump lay out the specifics of his proposals, with details. Ditto Senator Cruz.

    Simon Jester (2708f4)

  5. If we set political preferences aside and look at this from a pure strategy point of view, it’s quite interesting.

    Trump’s move may be strategic insurance against a loss in Iowa; if he loses, he can blame it on not going to the debate.

    However, from a strategy POV, I find it inexplicable that Trump didn’t set up a bigger-draw version of the veteran’s fundraiser he’s doing that night.

    It’ll be very interesting to see how this plays out.

    Arizona CJ (da673d)

  6. What a big baby!

    Funny you should say that.

    Patterico (86c8ed)

  7. As I say at the linked post, Trump just lost Iowa.

    Flame-out extraordinaire.

    Patterico (86c8ed)

  8. Trump’s move may be strategic insurance against a loss in Iowa; if he loses, he can blame it on not going to the debate.

    ArizonaCJ,

    I don’t think that will work because if he loses and blames it on not attending the debate, the fact that he *chose* not to attend will make him look like the big baby he is. I don’t see how it’s a viable excuse.

    Dana (86e864)

  9. I think Mr. Cruz has peaked Dana – he just can’t seem to broaden his appeal

    i think it’s time we heard from the voters personally – especially in New Hampshire and beyond

    these debates have been pretty lame

    happyfeet (831175)

  10. What a big baby!

    Funny you should say that.
    Patterico (86c8ed) — 1/26/2016 @ 6:29 pm

    Heh. Trump inspires!

    Dana (86e864)

  11. Iowa depends on organization, not Twitter. Trump sees writing on wall; takes ball, goes home.

    nk (dbc370)

  12. I don’t think this is what Truman meant by “If you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen.”

    Kevin M (25bbee)

  13. I think Mr. Cruz has peaked Dana – he just can’t seem to broaden his appeal

    i think it’s time we heard from the voters personally – especially in New Hampshire and beyond

    these debates have been pretty lame
    happyfeet (831175) — 1/26/2016 @ 6:33 pm

    If that’s true about Cruz not being able to broaden his appeal, all the more reason for Trump to accept his challenge – it would be a guaranteed positive for him, and he might even peel away voters who don’t find Cruz appealing, right?

    How is that not a win for Trump?

    Dana (86e864)

  14. Trump just lost Iowa.

    pickles on you head hahaha

    i think you’re wrong Mr. P and furthermore i bet you TWO pancakes Mr. The Donald will emerge from Iowa with the blessings of the corn children, possibly even anointed by he who walks behind the rows himself!

    and i think it goes without saying that he’s sucked up all the oxygen between now and then

    run you clever boy

    happyfeet (831175)

  15. The proof of the pudding is six days away.

    nk (dbc370)

  16. How is that not a win for Trump?

    Dana Trump doesn’t have to sink Ted’s battleship

    he just has to keep on keeping on being Mr. The Donald

    he just has to keep staying focused on making America great again

    the woods are lovely dark and deep but Trump’s got promises to keep!

    happyfeet (831175)

  17. I don’t think that will work because if he loses and blames it on not attending the debate, the fact that he *chose* not to attend will make him look like the big baby he is. I don’t see how it’s a viable excuse.

    Dana, my gut tells me you’re right, BUT, I’ve made similar calls on past Trump moves of the past, and I’ve been been wrong every time.

    So, I guess I’m saying I disagree with you, but only because I agree with you. 🙂

    Arizona CJ (da673d)

  18. Oh, I think Cruz was pretty smart. Tonald Drump is good at bullying people and sounding like a bumper sticker and being rude. Not so good on specifics. I hope he and his bad orange hairpiece take Cruz up on his offer.

    Wait, it’s rude to call people names. Yugely rude. I forgot.

    But it was pretty weird of Trump to do this. Maybe it’s not fun anymore for him. Nothing worse than someone who loves the limelight having to work. Maybe he is smart after all.

    Simon Jester (2708f4)

  19. Strikes me kind of funny
    Seems kind of funny, Sir, to me
    How despite every Trump buffoonery
    People still find a reason to believe.

    nk (dbc370)

  20. I’m sure Vladimir Putin is taking notes.
    He’s wondering, “Who is this tough woman Megyn Kelly, and why is Donnie so fearful of talking to her on television?”

    Cruz Supporter (102c9a)

  21. nk#19,

    You just quoted Springsteen’s ‘Reason to Believe,’ the final track on his brilliant ‘Nebraska’ album.

    Cruz Supporter (102c9a)

  22. nk, it’s Obama all over again. Some folks see a mirror and forget it is a mirror.

    I kind of want to retell the story of the Blind Voters and the Trumpephant. Except it doesn’t end well.

    Simon Jester (2708f4)

  23. I feel like a kid on Christmas! And I just unwrapped Ted Cruz’s victory in Iowa!

    Patterico (86c8ed)

  24. I voted on Twitter for Trump to NOT join the debate.

    Glad I could do my part.

    Dejectedhead (0c7c2f)

  25. Allahpundit can’t bring me down!

    Patterico (86c8ed)

  26. this is gonna end like one of those Kimmel videos where the parents eat the candy

    happyfeet (831175)

  27. John Nolte and I apparently see this differently.

    Remarkable, how differently two people can view the same action.

    I guess we’ll see.

    Patterico (86c8ed)

  28. Convince me how this benefits Trump in any way, shape or form. What, exactly, is he gambling on?

    Dana (86e864)

  29. I can’t possibly see how it would benefit Trump. It certainly seems like weakness to me.

    Dejectedhead (0c7c2f)

  30. I cannot get my head around a President so ignorant he can’t place Asia on a map of the world.

    Kevin M (25bbee)

  31. I think Mr. Feet is right — that this is shrewd on Trump’s part, actually. It’s also cowardly and unprincipled, but the kind of people who’d notice that are the kind of people who’d never consider voting for a vulgar lying con-man like Donald Trump anyway.

    Trump has very much benefited from the fact that the field has remained so large. He would fare very poorly in one-on-one debates with almost anyone — save perhaps Jeb Bush, whose role in this election cycle has devolved solely into being Trump’s welcome foil and mockery-target.

    Debating Ted Cruz one-on-one would be Donald Trump’s worst nightmare.

    Beldar (fa637a)

  32. Wait, Trump doesn’t know where Asia is?

    Dejectedhead (0c7c2f)

  33. It may be denial, but it it’s denial that my countrymen are even stupider than they were 4 years ago. And no doubt it will be worse, when he picks O’Reilly as VP.

    Kevin M (25bbee)

  34. Well, he probably doesn’t. He can’t name the parts of the triad.

    Kevin M (25bbee)

  35. Convince me how this benefits Trump in any way, shape or form.

    He’ll be able to take a long afternoon nap giving his mineral oil time to work.

    nk (dbc370)

  36. I think Mr. Feet is right — that this is shrewd on Trump’s part, actually.

    Fascinating. I feel, very confidently, that this is the stupidest thing he has done in his entire campaign. My reasoning is that Americans don’t like quitters. They don’t like whiners. They don’t like people who take their ball and go home. And ducking a debate — the last one before the Iowa caucus, when people in Iowa are paying maximum attention — just seems utterly foolish to me.

    But I am genuinely fascinated by opposing points of view on this, such as Beldar’s. I mean, I could be wrong. Maybe I fundamentally misunderstand the outlook of the average American.

    Again . . . we’ll see, won’t we?

    Patterico (86c8ed)

  37. Beldar, as I’ve said elsewhere, to some who suggested it would be like Lincoln-Douglas, it would be like Lincoln vs Lincoln’s dog.

    Trump is Mencken’s Law in action.

    Kevin M (25bbee)

  38. Beldar,

    Trump’s shrewdness is simply desperation wearing a cheap disguise. He knows the closer it gets to Iowa, the greater the expectation and challenge to him. And he’s simply not up to it.

    Dana (86e864)

  39. Patrick: I don’t think this is “the big flameout,” but I agree with you that one’s coming.

    My fear is that it might come too late, during the general election. But Trump is extremely brittle, and he acts precipitously without reflection or counsel.

    Ducking this debate is the kind of thing that would have been fatal to almost any other candidate. But he’s comparing upsides and downsides, and the people who are supporting him won’t lose faith or change their minds because of this.

    I’ve realized the flaw in my earlier thinking on Trump. I forgot — amazingly, since the Obama Administration reminds me of it daily — one of the cardinal rules of politics and life: You can’t shame the shameless.

    I think Trump’s going to have to be beaten at the polls. And that — actually — may work out to be a good thing.

    Anything other than a first-place finish guarantees the newspaper headline Trump can’t abide: “Trump is a loser.”

    Beldar (fa637a)

  40. Shrewdness in quotes…

    Dana (86e864)

  41. But he’s comparing upsides and downsides, and the people who are supporting him won’t lose faith or change their minds because of this.

    I agree with that, don’t get me wrong. But I think a fair number of people in Iowa were/are on the fence. And this will be the deciding factor.

    Patterico (86c8ed)

  42. To repeat: you are totally right that this will not change the mind of a single committed Trumpeter.

    I mean, look at Nolte in the tweets I put above!

    And I’d bet the deed to my house that ropelight will waltz in here and tell us what a great move this is, if he hasn’t already.

    Again: this is about the undecideds.

    Patterico (86c8ed)

  43. If Trump’s standard is that he won’t show up at a debate because he doesn’t like the moderator, then how can we trust him to show up at debates in the fall? We’ll probably see one debate hosted by Fox News or Fox Business, but the other 2 or 3 debates will likely be hosted by one of the alphabet networks or CNN.

    …and if he’s too afraid to take questions from Megyn Kelly, how’s he gonna like them apples when Scott Pelley is asking the questions?

    Cruz Supporter (102c9a)

  44. My,
    That looks just like a cub I once knew oh so well.
    Must have tangled with an armadillo,
    Poor thing.

    Painted Jaguar (a sockpuppet) (deca84)

  45. I cannot get my head around a President so ignorant he can’t place Asia on a map of the world.

    Is this a reference to something specific? I’m unaware of it, if it is.

    Patterico (86c8ed)

  46. He wants to be the big cat in the jungle and show he can dominate the news cycle
    because he can.
    We’ll see.

    Painted Jaguar (a sockpuppet) (deca84)

  47. And I’d bet the deed to my house that ropelight will waltz in here and tell us what a great move this is, if he hasn’t already.

    — Me, above.

    Yup, other thread.

    Trump’s decision guarantees he’ll be at the top of every political discussion for the next few days at least till the Iowa results come in.

    ropelight (70f603) — 1/26/2016 @ 7:04 pm

    I promise I hadn’t seen that comment when I made mine.

    Patterico (86c8ed)

  48. America needs a fighter. Not someone who backs down from…Megyn Kelly.

    Cruz Supporter (102c9a)

  49. He wants to be the big cat in the jungle and show he can dominate the news cycle
    because he can.

    Is dominating the news cycle by running away a victory?

    As you say: we’ll see. I don’t think so. I really don’t.

    Patterico (86c8ed)

  50. I hate disagreeing with Beldar. Hate, Hate, Hate it. But unless our electorate is completely broken this has to hurt Trump.

    At best, for Trump, this is conceding Iowa – and Trump is betting on a comeback in New Hampshire and South Carolina.

    At worst (my preference), for Trump, this is hubris – and Trump believes poll numbers that have been cooked by a crooked press.

    I think for the undecided (and every decided voter for a different candidate) this is a fatal hit on Trump – he is proving to be Obama with orange hair, and running away when challenged.

    There is no, zero, purpose for quitting the debate because Megyn is mean – no one believes that. This shows Trump is what? petty, whiny, volatile, out of touch. This is ballerina princess Diva tantrum time.

    Or, Trump is not displaying fatal Hubris, the insane polling is accurate, and our electorate is broken.

    Steve Malynn (b5f891)

  51. I always said if I was w, I would have pulled cbs white house press credentials for what rather did on 60 minutes. There are no consequences for the media when they continue to show bias.

    Perhaps this will be a lesson for all of them if Trump wins the WH.

    The media plays favorites and many ass wipes go along with them.

    jim (32b921)

  52. Trump is inside the response cycle of his opponents and the media. He (apparently) will be hosting an event for Wounded Warriors and one other veterans organization. So his absence will actually benefit someone, and the marginal news organizations will cover this in a positive way.

    By the way, the FBI has wounded one of the Bundy brothers and killed another supporter at the “occupation” in Oregon. The “authorities” ambushed eight of the “occupiers” as they drove to a community meeting, and the rest is classified (other than the body count) for our own peace of mind.

    Have a good one nk and Leviticus.

    BobStewartatHome (a52abe)

  53. #52 Would be interesting if the Bundy group preserved video of the event. If they did not, then they are as dumb as their “occupation.”

    But, speaking of Occupy – did anyone of those terroristic, raping, arsonists get shot? In Oakland, Seattle, Chicago, DC, NYC – anywhere?

    Steve Malynn (b5f891)

  54. So, what your saying is Trump has no qualms about using vets to benefit himself? Shameless.

    Dana (86e864)

  55. Bob – I think Cruz has a better handle on actual politicking, and hope his campaign plan prevails.

    There is plenty to be said about being inside the response cycle (OODA Loop analysis) but making bad decisions that are immediately addressed by your opponent is not the right way to do it.

    Cruz personal challenge defeats any media benefit from quitting, imho.

    Steve Malynn (b5f891)

  56. MD says that ever since someone won the presidency who shouldn’t have even been a serious candidate,
    it can be hard to make sense out of all of this.

    I wasn’t growling that I thought it was a good idea, that I thought it would work, or that I agreed with it…
    But we predators study the behavior of others in the jungle,
    And I was trying to make sense of it,
    Wondering why a narcissistic megalomaniac would do this.
    Many a human has been mistaken before predicting what will happen with this one,
    (Shrugs shoulders and gives a big fang-filled yawn)

    Painted Jaguar (a sockpuppet) (deca84)

  57. While some give Trump the benefit of the doubt as this being a shrewd political move re the debate, all it really is is yet one more desperate attempt to remain the center of attention. And not because it’s political, but because first and foremost, he doesn’t like anyone else taking attention away from him. As Iowa draws near and the stakes increase, more attention will go to the leading candidates, and Trump doesn’t like to share. Further, Cruz has already become a big enough threat; why give him the opportunity to become even moreso (and to show why he is such a big threat) on a debate stage?

    Dana (86e864)

  58. I agree with Beldar. The biggest applause lines of each of the last several Republican debates have been those directed at slagging off the American media. What better way to deride the American media than holding an event that might (just might, by virtue of sheer asinine novelty) compete with their banner event for ratings? Then (on the eve of the primary) Trump can claim that he doesn’t need the press’s free publicity (like those other losers), that he can draw similar ratings all by himself (winner), and he simultaneously gets to avoid getting shredded by Cruz (which he would, because he’s a moron).

    Leviticus (c3e73d)

  59. He is trying to say that it is all about him, and he can play them if he wants and get away with it,
    they are not the show, he is
    And he’ll show them

    I do think he has overplayed his hand,
    But we’ll see.

    MD in Philly (not in Philly) (deca84)

  60. What Dana said.

    MD in Philly (not in Philly) (deca84)

  61. Brave Sir Donald ran away;
    Bravely ran away away;
    When Kelly reared her female head;
    He bravely turned his tail and fled;
    Yes, brave Sir Donald turned about;
    And gallantly he chickened out;

    Bravely taking to his feet;
    He beat a very brave retreat;
    Bravest of the brave, Sir Donald!

    Random Numbers (323051)

  62. I don’t remember either Leviticus or myself ever approving of people playing with guns to the point of getting themselves and other people shot, Bob.

    nk (dbc370)

  63. #61 – gonna steal that and cross post over at NRO.

    LOL

    Steve Malynn (b5f891)

  64. Steve Malynn, you are correct if we agree that the media is going to handle this “fairly”. Trump is doing something that politicizes the veterans, and in a perfect world, this would be shameful. But 70% of the viewing audience will never hear this side of the event, instead they’ll be treated to endless clips of all the good that Trump is doing. And these “news” stories will be done solely to diminish Fox’s stature. And soaring over all this, but unmentioned, will be the shabby treatment that “we” … meaning anyone who doesn’t contribute to USO, Wounded Warriors, and several other veterans organizations, and including the cartel in D. C. with Bob Dole front and center in his indifference, and embracing anyone who has ever voted for a Democrat … have forced upon our veterans. Which is the underlying reality that Trump can see and is willing to exploit.

    So Trump has picked at a festering wound, and he’ll do some good just by making our negligence more apparent. This will give the slime-balls on MSNBC and CNN a warm glow as they pretend to be worried about our servicemen.

    This is all a projection, of course, but I think it fits the Trump pattern.

    BobStewartatHome (a52abe)

  65. I am reminded of the fact that Ross Perot was LEADING Bush and Clinton when he abruptly withdrew from the campaign in the spring of ’92. When he got back in later he was a spent force. Some say that he never expected to be elected and he panicked when it look as if he might be.

    Which is to say that there’s a lot more that can happen.

    Kevin M (25bbee)

  66. I have been calling it idolatry for a reason. Idolatry has a specific definition. And it fits the Trumpsters to a T.

    Donald is in classic Bully territory. Bully the weak kids and run away the moment things get rough.

    Georgie Porgie, puddin and pie
    Kissed the girls and made them cry
    When the boys came out to play
    Georgie Porgie ran away.

    And that’s Donald. Bully until someone comes out to “play”. Then scram, all the while hurling taunts. Also, Brave Sir Robin.

    John Hitchcock (b495dc)

  67. All prognostications about Trump strategy, his campaign, his poll numbers have been essentially wrong — talking heads, media, and websites. So I think I will ignore the fortune-tellers here as well. I don’t listen to touts at the track either.

    xsssx (0738a3)

  68. nk, it’s not the actions of the victims that I’m concerned about.

    A snow-covered, forested, highway. Night time, where infrared is a game changer. The victims on schedule to attend a community meeting. A few properly equipped snipers in the bushes. A couple of police cars converging on the spot to ensure that the eight “occupiers” are stopped in the kill zone. It’s really quite simple. No witnesses other than the victims. And, of course, their murderers. But the gunmen are exempt since they work for the government.

    A lot like the Turkey shoot-down of the SU-24 if you overlook the radar plots of the aircraft that revealed the ambush.

    Certainly a lot better than using polonium-210-laced tea.

    BobStewartatHome (a52abe)

  69. This debate would have been a golden opportunity for Cruz to go in for the kill before Iowa. Trump knew this, and knew he couldn’t afford to be directly confronted and challenged by Cruz. He knows what he’s up against and knows he wouldn’t come out on the winning end. Anything but let the voters see what weakness and fear looks like. He’s banking on undecideds being just gullible as his supporters.

    Dana (86e864)

  70. Rump wants to rule America like Mickey Mouse rules DisneyWorld. Unfortunately for him, he’ll only get the role of Donald Duck now.

    jb (8a9f1d)

  71. Bob, yes, when the police are in a situation where it looks like there might be a gunfight sooner or later, they do precipitate it in order to be the ones in control. Acting and not reacting. But it does not mean I feel good about anybody getting shot — not even in an “I told you so” way.

    nk (dbc370)

  72. Trump’s campaign manager, Corey Lewandowski , sounds like a thug. How is this not a threat?

    In a call on Saturday with a Fox News executive, Lewandowski stated that Megyn had a ‘rough couple of days after that last debate’ and he ‘would hate to have her go through that again.’ Lewandowski was warned not to level any more threats, but he continued to do so. We can’t give in to terrorizations toward any of our employees. Trump is still welcome at Thursday night’s debate and will be treated fairly, just as he has been during his 132 appearances on Fox News & Fox Business, but he can’t dictate the moderators or the questions

    Dana (86e864)

  73. I think Roger Ailes ought to offer a compromise- if Donald doesn’t want to face Megan he can debate at the undercard known as the Kiddy Debate

    Lloyd Frost (f1e221)

  74. Old Whazzizname may be calculating that this never-ending series of debates is for the pinhead intellectuals, and they have no bearing on the final outcome. Let’s face it, most of us thought that when Romney cleaned Obama’s clock in the first debate that it was a real game-changer, but in the end it didn’t move the needle at all. There are maybe two dozen Iowa caucus goers who really intended to finally make up their mind after Thursday’s debate, not 100,000 of them. Maybe P is on to something and Old Whazzizname has seen internal polls indicating that he won’t win, so he’s seeking to minimize the bump that Cruz and/or Rubio might get. Hell, for all we know maybe Rick Santorum is going to win Iowa again.

    As for me, I think I’m going to take another look at Lincoln Chaffee. A dumb man for these dumb times.

    JVW (d60453)

  75. I backed Fred Thompson and Rick Perry the last two elections.

    So I’m used to it

    papertiger (c2d6da)

  76. But it may also be because The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel debuts on HBO this Thursday and Old Whazzizname doesn’t want to miss it. I’ll bet he has a secret crush on both Judi Dench and Maggie Smith. He probably marvels that in England it is OK to refer to them as “Dames” and wonders why that is.

    JVW (d60453)

  77. Don´t start celebrating just yet, Patterico. Others were toasting Donalds´ demise after supposedly insulting Illegals, Muslims and the ´Hillary got schlonged´ comments, just as examples..

    You Trump-hating wishful thinkers have been mistaken before.

    ……on quite a few occasions.

    But you DO show the courage of your convictions inasmuch as you just keep on a-hatin.

    If you ARE proven wrong ,( and we should know in a couple weeks or so )

    make sure to man-up and admit it .

    Jerry (7b38ac)

  78. Jerry, dodging a scheduled debate is actually a big deal.
    Every presidential contender during the media age has had to take questions from journalists who likely didn’t want them to win—that’s called being a Republican.

    By the way, Trump’s gone on George Stephanopolous’ morning program a few times during the campaign, hasn’t he? And George is a Clintonista. So what is the big trauma that Donald has with Megyn Kelly, that he doesn’t have with George Stephanopolous?

    Cruz Supporter (102c9a)

  79. I admit that Democrats like to boycott Fox News. Even the latent ones.

    papertiger (c2d6da)

  80. I’ve never seen you looking so bad my Trumpy one
    You’re showing that your yuge and strange mind has come undone
    Any candidate with half a chance surely will tell you my friend
    Any minor poll that breaks apart falls together again
    When the Megyn is at your door
    In the morning she won’t be there no more
    Any candidate will tell you

    Colonel Haiku (2601c0)

  81. Jpg of President Trump’s press secretary.

    papertiger (c2d6da)

  82. fox, trump, springsteen all suck. My veteran friends love trump. My problem with some trump haters is the way they throw vets in with regular voters. Shame on you sic flucks for berating vets because they won’t vote for who you want. They have allowed you to vote because of their service. Sanity has no place with team republican.
    Cruz/West and eff the rest. Vets rock.

    mg (31009b)

  83. I’ve felt all along that the Donald, in his core, really does not want the job – just as the murderer Ted Kennedy did not.

    He was going to lose to Cruz in Iowa anyway, but this absolutely seals that deal. His only chance was a historic turnout, which wasn’t going to happen. The weather will be pretty good, though.

    What this did was preserve his win in New Hampshire. No way will Cruz ride a wave to victory there. Unless Trump has another massive misstep, he will cruise to a victory there.

    Ed from SFV (3400a5)

  84. A bit on why Trump declined:
    “Fox News and Google have invited three YouTube personalities
    to ask questions at the Jan. 28 GOP debate — including a Muslim advocate
    who describes Donald Trump as a bigot and who visually portrayed him
    as being in agreement with national socialist Adolf Hitler.”

    HIT JOB, anyone?!
    http://www.breitbart.com/video/2016/01/26/2868743/

    As far as Cruz asking for a one on one with Trump…
    This puts Cruz in the same position of WEAKNESS as !Jeb! for exactly the same reason: challenging the current leader who has full control of the decision to do it or not (answer: NOT).

    Kauf Buch (a626fa)

  85. Another interesting observation:
    EXCERPT: “However, it’s also more than a little hypocritical for the same republican voices who were shouting at republican nominees in 2011/2012, for walking into traps with CNN’s Candy Crowley and ABC’s George Stephanopolous, to now be clutching their pearls when 2016 republican frontrunner Donald Trump recognizes the construct in Fox News and avoids it.”

    from:
    http://theconservativetreehouse.com/2016/01/27/donald-trumps-fox-debate-boycott-and-the-ridiculous-fox-news-response/#more-111541

    Kauf Buch (a626fa)

  86. Actually I’ve been completely free from TV since Aug. 15.

    Our culture is pure tripe.

    DNF (755a85)

  87. Last night had dinner with crossfit men b4 “Revenant”, a good time. Movie was sold out at showtime, aw shucks. The young man sharing my luck snuck in but I was happy to miss DiCaprio.

    DNF (755a85)

  88. People who think this will hurt Trump haven’t been paying attention to how he operates. He set this up. Fox took the bait.
    All the debate ratings are because of Trump. He sucked all the air out of the room and walked away from a deal that has
    no benefit for him. For every vote that trump loses from walking, two more take its’ place for walking away from Fox.

    steverio (ef82ea)

  89. millions of loser failmericans sitting on their chubby butts watching propaganda sluts on fox news is the answer to no real problem ever

    this is obvious to anyone who is willing to do the analysis

    happyfeet (831175)

  90. 28. Dana (86e864) — 1/26/2016 @ 7:07 pm

    Convince me how this benefits Trump in any way, shape or form. What, exactly, is he gambling on?

    That it will cow reporters in the future. China uses exactly the same tactics. And so did Saddam Hussein.

    http://www.nytimes.com/2003/04/11/opinion/the-news-we-kept-to-ourselves.html

    Over the last dozen years I made 13 trips to Baghdad to lobby the government to keep CNN’s Baghdad bureau open and to arrange interviews with Iraqi leaders.

    He goves as a reason for not reporting, though, possible harm to their own people, and others.

    There was an honest repprting piece at that time that said teh same kins of non-reporting happened in the Palestinian Authrity.

    http://honestreporting.com/cnns-iraqi-cover-up/

    And Iran does this thing also, although they arrest reporters, too.

    This may cost Donald Trump a little bit – not much – he doesn’t need more exposure right now, he has had enough – but it is an investment.

    Trump calculates that news organizations need him more than he needs reporters. He may also calculate that this is something that the Clintons have achieved, and he wants it too.

    Sammy Finkelman (dbec95)

  91. As far as Cruz asking for a one on one with Trump…
    This puts Cruz in the same position of WEAKNESS as !Jeb! for exactly the same reason: challenging the current leader who has full control of the decision to do it or not (answer: NOT).

    Kauf Buch (a626fa) —

    Why on earth do you think that way?

    When Trump said he can’t do the debate because he rejects the journalists, a lot of people said it’s because Trump is afraid. Cruz has tested this theory by saying he will have a one vs one debate with Trump. Cruz and Trump are the two top candidates, and there would be no moderators, so there’s no reason for Trump to say no. You’re right, he could say no, but not because he’s the ‘current leader alpha superman’. Anyone could tuck their tail and refuse to debate, right before the primaries. Being willing to go through that scrutiny is respect for the voters.

    Interestingly, Trump has said so himself over the years, mocking candidates who decline to debate. In fact, mocking candidates who decline debates Trump is moderating! How is it strength to be a hypocrite, and weak to keep your promises? That’s very twisted.

    Truth is that Trump has to prove he’ll keep his word, and more and more evidence has come out that far from being a crusader on immigration, he is allied with Pelosi, Schumer, and many others who want full fledged amnesty, and is promising to make deals with them. More people are aware that in business, Trump got rich from breaking promises. He has been sued over and over and lost because of how he does business. He’s gone through five bankruptcies that left many billions of debts unpaid. Money Trump promises to pay when he made the deal, and then found a way not to pay, breaking his word.

    Fortunately, Trump’s fans have a choice. They want to send a message that they have had enough of the corruption and the deals that have disadvantaged the citizens. They want to take power from the insiders. Cruz has walked that walk despite enormous hostility. It would have been easy for Cruz to break his word, but he didn’t. If Trump’s fans are concerned about Trump palling around with the far left, and breaking his word to the voters, they should go ahead and jump to Cruz. Trump’s refusal to answer tough questions about this stuff should be a pretty clear sign of what he’s doing.

    Dustin (2a8be7)

  92. @BobStewartatHome The CBS Evening News has been running an expose on Wounded Warriers. Not that they do nothing, but that only 60% of the money they raise goes for their stated purpose, while other charities achieve 90% or more.

    http://www.cbsnews.com/news/wounded-warrior-project-accused-of-wasting-donation-money/

    Sammy Finkelman (dbec95)

  93. “i think you’re wrong Mr. P and furthermore i bet you TWO pancakes Mr. The Donald will emerge from Iowa with the blessings of the corn children, possibly even anointed by he who walks behind the rows himself!”

    – happyfeet

    I have to admit, I burst out laughing at this.

    Leviticus (efada1)

  94. “Fox News and Google have invited three YouTube personalities
    to ask questions at the Jan. 28 GOP debate — including a Muslim advocate
    who describes Donald Trump as a bigot and who visually portrayed him
    as being in agreement with national socialist Adolf Hitler.”

    You mean that guy whitegenocideTM is a muslim bigot?

    Foul. Party foul. Patterico.

    You need to revisit that post and set things to right.

    Or say “Don’t always trust content from Patterico” in the header.

    papertiger (c2d6da)

  95. TO #90 Dustin

    I think that way because

    A) I am smart,
    B) I am right, and
    C) Trump has nothing to gain by engaging in such a debate.

    Cruz will soon be LOSING and near the point of COLLAPSE in February.
    It’s cheap bravado (and pretty transparent DESPERATION) to say,
    “you gotta debate me or you’re a coward!” (I can hear the “neener neener!” at the end)

    The rest of your post is WISHFUL THINKING.
    *TRUMP 2016*

    Kauf Buch (a626fa)

  96. What a big baby!

    # 6 & #7

    Funny you should say that.

    Patterico (86c8ed) — 1/26/2016 @ 6:29 pm

    As I say at the linked post, Trump just lost Iowa.

    Flame-out extraordinaire.

    Patterico (86c8ed) — 1/26/2016 @ 6:29 pm

    As you have said – trump will Flame out before long
    Cruz on the other hand showed how to peak at the correct time – look at the 2014 Texas senate primary. Relatively unknown by the general voting population prior to the election, not having held an elected office.
    Cruz will peak at the right time.

    Joe - Texas (debac0)

  97. But, speaking of Occupy – did anyone of those terroristic, raping, arsonists get shot? In Oakland, Seattle, Chicago, DC, NYC – anywhere?

    Did any of them shoot to resist arrest? It’s an easy bet that the Bundy group did that, and that will get you shot no matter who you are. Your response sounds like those who contrasted the peaceful arrest of the Charleston shooter with the fatal attempted arrests of such thugs as Michael Brown, and alleged that it was because of their respective skin color, when it was obvious that the real difference was that Roof didn’t try to kill the arresting officers.

    Milhouse (87c499)

  98. Bob, why do you put “occupiers” in scare quotes? Surely nobody disputes that they are in fact occupying property that belongs to the US government.

    Milhouse (87c499)

  99. Milhouse, I’ll bet there was not a gunfight, because the alternative is the media is hiding a gunfight. Since the media has zero motivation to hide the drama – drama did not happen.

    This was not about the arrest of a strong arm robber, this was the arrest of political protesters who were engaged in civil disobedience aimed at federal real property and not endangering any actual humans.

    Steve Malynn (b5f891)

  100. For the fools complaining about the press laying an ambush for Trump in the Iowa debate – pure bunk. The press always lays an ambush for the conservative/republican – our complaint is when foolish R candidates act as naifs when presented by garbage assertions (Romney) as opposed to owning the Mic (Reagan).

    Trump pretends he owns the mic – but he is regularly owned.

    Steve Malynn (b5f891)

  101. kauf,

    You didn’t actually answer me merely by posting that you’re right, even if you make sure to put that in bold.

    That’s how a child would respond to the points I raised.

    It’s cheap bravado (and pretty transparent DESPERATION) to say,
    “you gotta debate me or you’re a coward!”

    Wait, let me get this right. Cruz is desperate and cheap, and you can tell because he wants Trump to make his attacks on Cruz to Cruz’s face, where they can debate on equal footing. Meanwhile Trump is awesome because he makes his attacks, such as the ‘Cruz is stupid’ attack, from Twitter and on shows where he’s given the soft treatment.

    So, soft treatment and hiding = tough. Debate face to face, man to man, desperate and somehow ‘cheap.’

    You sound like North Korean propaganda.

    Dustin (2a8be7)

  102. You mean that guy whitegenocideTM is a muslim bigot?

    Hey, not that I think you’re wrong, but can you post a link? I tried to search and got a bunch of nonsense thanks to the name in the handle.

    Dustin (2a8be7)

  103. no, it was another hack who is a salafi apologist, like the one who wanted to ban trump from the UK.

    narciso (732bc0)


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