Patterico's Pontifications

1/27/2016

Debate Preview from Ted Cruz

Filed under: General — Patterico @ 7:55 am



I think any candidate for President owes it to the voters to go and stand in front of them, to answer the hard questions. I mean, it’s a matter of basic respect to the men and women of Iowa. . . . This is a job interview. And if you want a job interview, the first thing you should do to get the job is show up at the interview. And I think it’s really remarkable that Donald Trump thinks so little of the men and women of Iowa that he is willing to skip the debate altogether. He doesn’t think he should have any questions on his record. And it’s really quite astonishing that Donald is apparently so afraid of Megyn Kelly. Look, you know, journalists ask tough questions. You know, I promise you, anyone who’s going to be President of the United States — if you’re afraid of Megyn Kelly, then you’re going to be afraid of Hillary Clinton. And if you’re afraid of Vladimir Putin, if you’re afraid to have anyone ask questions, that does not bode well for what kind of Commander in Chief you make.

Just brutal. And it goes on like that. And that’s how it will be at the debate.

Pundits are so used to Trump doing crazy things and not having it hurt him, that they are blind to how badly all this will hurt him. It won’t change anyone’s mind who already decided with all their heart and soul to support Trump. But those undecided between Trump and Cruz are going to flock to Cruz now.

I still think he gets back in. It’s such a stupid move to skip the debate, and Trump, while a moron on policy, is not generally stupid on matters like this. But maybe his personal pique is so great that it overshadows his usual judgment on such issues.

92 Responses to “Debate Preview from Ted Cruz”

  1. Love it.

    Patterico (86c8ed)

  2. i think that argument is very puerile

    that Donald is afraid of trashy trashy Megyn Kelly

    the whirl does not revolve around fox news and their trashy talent

    (and thank god in his heaven for that)

    happyfeet (831175)

  3. also I think the childishness the fox news propaganda trash are displaying goes a long way towards validating Mr. Trump’s decision to spend his time and energy somewheres else

    happyfeet (831175)

  4. The full moon has been waning since Sunday, so Trump’s hair (very sensitive to the tidal pull) might change its mind and get back into the debate.

    nk (dbc370)

  5. Well, happy, if you listened to the video, which you didn’t, you’d see that Cruz offered numerous alternatives for a debate that did not involve Megyn Kelly. He said Hannity or Limbaugh or nobody could moderate. They could do a town hall.

    Trump is running scared.

    Patterico (86c8ed)

  6. i’ll be a monkey’s uncle!

    happyfeet (831175)

  7. my goodness why should Trump debate Cruz?

    that would just elevate lil Ted for no good reason

    what would Mr. The Donald get out of that exactly?

    he’s clearly decided he’s not running against Ted he’s running against the establishment and their media now

    we’ve been looking for someone to do this for SO long

    i bless the rains down in Africa

    happyfeet (831175)

  8. also isn;\’t it super telling that this is being framed as Mr. The Donald being afraid of Megyn not Ted?

    i think it’s very telling

    happyfeet (831175)

  9. oh man i give up on the typings today

    happyfeet (831175)

  10. You got a crying baby pic on an earlier post–are you going to re-post for yourself once Trump wins?

    Scoob (580f73)

  11. I doubt he’ll back off because I doubt this is really about FNC/Kelly’s alleged animous. Trump’s negotiating. He’s calculated that he’s better served skipping out and promoting himself. He obviously believes he has more to lose by participating than by playing the fool. Whether that means he can’t lose the caucus vote or whether he’s setting up his excuses for losing only time will tell.

    crazy (cde091)

  12. You have more faith in the intelligence of American voters than I do, Patterico.

    Leviticus (efada1)

  13. Mr. Trump is simply not in any way shape or form obligated to do a fox news debate

    i think the people what assert that he is

    they’re buying into some assumptions about the role of cable news in american political life that are very very twisted and unhealthy

    i will pray for them, that they may see more clearly

    happyfeet (831175)

  14. I don’t think I’ve ever seen Cruz “off his game”. Sharp as a stiletto and always unfazed.

    Colonel Haiku (df3a15)

  15. “they are blind to how badly all this will hurt him.”

    Rupert Murdoch begs to differ.

    formwiz (6b3a5a)

  16. I’d like to see a post defending Mr. Trump for his decision not to debate and criticizing fox news for their haughty imperiousness

    happyfeet (831175)

  17. It continues to amuse me no end to watch so called “pure” conservatives support the Orange Hairpiece.

    Now, if you just are in the “burn it down, I want someone to yell and carry on” school, Trump is a good choice.

    But honestly expecting to “build a wall” or reduce government?

    It is to laugh.

    Simon Jester (2708f4)

  18. #16: You could write your own post! Have your own blog!

    Maybe people would read it.

    Simon Jester (2708f4)

  19. nonono

    i’m a commenter not a blogger

    that is who i am – a commenter

    not a blogger

    understand?

    happyfeet (831175)

  20. #9 oh man i give up on the typings today

    and yet…

    Kevin M (25bbee)

  21. Trump will not get back in, as he would lose face. He’d have to fire someone to make his lie good about why he left/came back.

    Kevin M (25bbee)

  22. right right you have to get back on the horse

    happyfeet (831175)

  23. Trump is not about logic, reason or even conscious thought. He is about getting over on all those damn politicians who have been responsible for all our poor personal choices.

    Kevin M (25bbee)

  24. What would Trump gain by debating Cruz? Oh, I dunno, maybe not looking like a freaking pussy?

    Rorschach (6fc5f7)

  25. Now we’ll learn if a candidate debate without Trump allows a meaningful discussion or if Trump’s absence infuses itself in every question. Hopefully FOX will resist the temptation to make this all about The Donald but will the candidates? and hopefully Cruz is prepared for the artillery barrage Trump has set up from Rubio, Paul et al.

    crazy (cde091)

  26. As far as Trump’s wounded warrior stunt is concerned, why did he wait this long to demonstrate it? and why should he get credit for coercing others to donate less than he could with a stroke of his gilded pen?

    crazy (cde091)

  27. Does anyone remember what Teddy Roosevelt’s daughter Alice said about him?

    “….My father always wanted to be the corpse at every funeral, the bride at every wedding and the baby at every christening…”

    The Shouty Shouty Reality Show Orange Hairpiece is all that, without the accomplishments, sense of honor, and personal courage.

    So if the rest of the participants actually talk issues, and specifics about those issues…perhaps SSRSOH might do the same.

    And that would be good all around, no matter where you are on the Orange Hairpiece Question.

    Simon Jester (2708f4)

  28. Hmmm, Mr. Jester.
    You would make a good predator, you study the nature of things with great insight.

    Painted Jaguar (a sockpuppet) (deca84)

  29. Some of us know better than drinking funny colored smelly water,
    no matter what the color,
    and no matter who is pouring it.

    Painted Jaguar (a sockpuppet) (deca84)

  30. just glancing over the comments it’s pretty clear that it’s not just Megyn what’s biased on Mr. Trump

    it goes deeper than that

    much much deeper

    happyfeet (831175)

  31. LOL.

    Simon Jester (2708f4)

  32. I think he is banking on the theory that in his absence everyone will pile on Cruz and weaken his standing. But I agree that he’s probably wrong about this and making a mistake. Could be the beginning of the end

    Michael (48d854)

  33. Trump’s criteria for any move he makes is “Will this generate publicity?” Doesn’t matter if it’s good or bad exposure, as long as him and his haircut are in the news. The guy’s a media hog and his whole presidential bid is a Barnumesque hoax.

    “(I)f you’re afraid of Megyn Kelly, then you’re going to be afraid of Hillary Clinton.” Cruzin’!

    CrustyB (69f730)

  34. Why it is important that Hillary does not win:

    Hillary Clinton says it would be a “great idea” to appoint President Obama to the Supreme Court.

    Kevin M (25bbee)

  35. Kevin M (25bbee) — 1/27/2016 @ 11:24 am

    That would be a catastrophe. But he would not want any position where he would only be one of nine.

    felipe (b5e0f4)

  36. I’m going to go out on a limb and predict that this doesn’t hurt Trump at all.

    Remember Edwin Edwards? The “dead girl or live boy” guy? The “vote for the crook, it’s important” guy? Yeah, well, not only did he win those elections, ever since he got out on parole in 2014 he’s still running for office.

    Gabriel Hanna (64d4e1)

  37. Scuttlebutt is debate ad prices are $750,000 per minute if Trump is there, and drops to $150.000 per minute if he skips the event.

    ropelight (b8496d)

  38. Question: Why would having a “Constitutional scholar” as a Supreme Court justice be catastrophic?

    Answer: Despite the repeated claims of his supporters of Obama’s prowess in this area, we have seen no evidence that he – in fact – is one. To be sure, it can be argued that Obama has run roughshod over the document through his policies and actions these last seven years.

    Colonel Haiku (df3a15)

  39. The Trump tantrum is a dominance move. No matter how childish many of us may think it is he’s demonstrating that when he barks everyone jumps. All Trump really cares about is demonstrating he’s the strong horse.

    crazy (cde091)

  40. Or jackass, depending on your POV…

    Colonel Haiku (df3a15)

  41. At least there’s some reason to be afraid of Hillary. You just know if she wins and you went against her you’re gonna be in a world of pain.

    Soronel Haetir (86a46e)

  42. I’m waiting for the jackass to show up and take a seat in the audience. What are they gonna do if he does?

    crazy (cde091)

  43. Scuttlebutt is debate ad prices are $750,000 per minute if Trump is there, and drops to $150.000 per minute if he skips the event.

    ropelight (b8496d)

    Imagine how high the rates would be if George Clooney ran! He’s actually to the right of Trump on at least a couple issues too.

    I’ve seen this a few places, and the interpretation I’m getting is that if Trump gets the easier journalists and questions, Fox News becomes millions of dollars richer. I guess Trump is the biggest crony capitalist we’ve ever seen. Just imagine how this guy would run the government.

    Dustin (2a8be7)

  44. your jaw will drop when you see donald’s revenge makeover

    happyfeet (831175)

  45. Donald trump has said he will debate the canadian trump in canada if cruz will sing oh! canada at the start!

    xexe (708e61)

  46. God, I hope he sticks to his guns and stays out. I would love to watch without cringing.

    Janetoo (de7513)

  47. Yeah, it’s going to be the first debate I actually watch. I’ve been tuned out of politics and looks like I’m back right at the best time. I hope this debate gets the best ratings and Cruz and Rubio put aside cynical thoughts of gaming things out and realize they have an opportunity to have a genuine debate about two different directions for the GOP.

    Of course that kind of patriotism is naive.

    Dustin (2a8be7)

  48. “Donald Duck-ing”

    I love it.

    felipe (56556d)

  49. Ratings will be waaay down without Trump; he’s the only reason to watch for most peeps. Reagan skipped the last Republican debate before the Iowa caucus in ’80, and look how that hurt him….not.

    dee (95a0a6)

  50. Smoked ghost pepper sea salt on popcorn is heat seeking.
    Cold soda water for a back-up is great.

    mg (31009b)

  51. we know fox is not on cruz’s side, we know who will be the google ambushers, we though the subprime policy that cratered the markets will likely not be discussed.

    narciso (732bc0)

  52. 46-
    I cringe thinking of those team republican elitist liars on stage.
    Cruz/West

    mg (31009b)

  53. Ghost pepper seems to be all the rage now. Pacqui(tm) Ghost pepper tortilla chips are waaay too hot for this guy.

    felipe (56556d)

  54. We already have a President who is afraid to take questions from Fox News hosts.

    Cruz Supporter (102c9a)

  55. Heard on the radio Murdoch is urging Doomberg to get in the race.

    mg (31009b)

  56. felipe – the flavor is unique, but it is easy to over heat.
    After harvest I dry them and then grind. They last forever.

    mg (31009b)

  57. Maybe we should referring to Megyn Kelly as “ghost pepper,” since she appears to be too hot for Donnie to handle.

    New Yawk values!
    (LOL)

    Cruz Supporter (102c9a)

  58. I admit I enjoy the fox bashing. Gave up on them when Ted Baxter lip locked the usurper in an interview before the election.

    mg (31009b)

  59. Reagan skipped the last Republican debate before the Iowa caucus in ’80, and look how that hurt him….not.
    dee (95a0a6) — 1/27/2016 @ 1:02 pm

    really? That was before I cared much about politics, and I was otherwise occupied,

    I am just observing, I have no predictions.

    MD in Philly (at the moment not in Philly) (deca84)

  60. I think he lost Iowa, which Trump isn’t expected to, so Cruz has no excuse for not winning Iowa.
    Reagan recovered in New Hampshire,

    narciso (732bc0)

  61. Re: #49 – actually, Reagan had a weak ground game in Iowa, and lost that state, largely because he ducked the debate.

    Reagan explained it was his biggest mistake in that election cycle, because it put him behind the 8 ball.

    Who told him to skip the debate – his wargaming consultants. How did he make up for the initial loss – he stopped listening to their strategery and buckled down to retail politics in every state.

    Steve Malynn (b5f891)

  62. Thanks all for the edumacation,
    that’s why of all the sites on the internet, this is one of only 2 I regularly look at.

    MD in Philly (at the moment not in Philly) (deca84)

  63. Previously he had John Sears, at one point he shifted over to Bill Casey,

    narciso (732bc0)

  64. It’s such a stupid move to skip the debate, and Trump, while a moron on policy, is not generally stupid on matters like this

    So, this all boils down to “Is Donald Trump as stupid as he seems?” Granted, he couldn’t possibly be. I still say he’ll show up at the debate, but I really wouldn’t be surprised if he was such an egotist that he didn’t.

    Either way, Trump is a coward who’s afraid to get tough questions and to face Cruz on the debate stage. I’d said it before, and I’ll say it again: Caitlyn Jenner out-alphas Trump.

    top116 (d094f8)

  65. “It’s such a stupid move to skip the debate, ”

    No no no a thousand times no!

    This was a great move for Trump. He again has played the cards he was dealt perfectly.

    I think Trump’s poll numbers will go up and he will win Iowa by several points.

    mark johnson (2941da)

  66. top116,

    Bruce Jenner won the gold medal in the decathlon at the Olympics.
    He out alpha-males everybody.

    Cruz Supporter (102c9a)

  67. If Ted bashes carrot top for not showing up. Will the rest of the flunkeys go after Ted?

    mg (31009b)

  68. A walk down memory lane:

    Bruce Jenner trained at UC Santa Barbara for the Olympics. He and his wife were fixtures at the campus track, it was a first rate track. The Chancellor, Vernon Cheadle, won several events in the over 60 Olympics several times and his son was a world class 400 meter hurdler.

    Jenner’s wife (at the time) would set up a base camp in the infield, complete with sun shade, cooler, radio, and lunch box. Bruce would work out and take breaks with her (only vague memories remain, but I think there was a young child too).

    He was open and welcoming when students came around and offered competition. He always won, he was better at everything than anyone else. I ran against him several times in the 440 and usually lost by about 2 yards. He was in spectacular shape with an emphasis on upper body strength at the expense of stamina and leg speed. But he was no slouch, not at all.

    I remember a lot more about those happy college days but this isn’t the time or place.

    ropelight (b8496d)

  69. I made hot chili twice in one week. My mouth handled it fine; my duodenum complained a little.

    nk (dbc370)

  70. I suspect Trump’s thinking, such as it is, is that skipping the debate is the safe move by allowing him to sit on his lead and evade the fire from the other candidates and debate moderators. The same reason Hillary tried to minimize debates as much a possible.

    Trump probably also thinks he will suffer no consequences for skipping the debate. I mean why not? Considering all the other stuff he’s skated from already.

    But now we will see. Will the wannabe bully-in-chief get his way or get punished?

    Brad (74d84e)

  71. i found this chili at jewel’s for to make chili spaghetti

    it’s perfect – it’s from Ohio!

    i been missing chili john’s from back home

    happyfeet (831175)

  72. Ratings will be waaay down without Trump; he’s the only reason to watch for most peeps. Reagan skipped the last Republican debate before the Iowa caucus in ’80, and look how that hurt him….not.

    As others have pointed out, Reagan lost Iowa in the primaries.

    Reagan (and others) showed that losing Iowa is not necessarily fatal to a candidate. But winning is still good — and losing, for Trump, helps dissolve the mystique.

    Patterico (86c8ed)

  73. oh it is so on

    happyfeet (831175)

  74. Comparing Trump to Reagan is like comparing Boy George to Chuck Norris. Reagan had character and sticktoitiveness and could come back from setbacks. As for Bush “winning” Iowa in 1980, it’s because it was rigged just that one time, just for him. His supporters snuck in a straw poll that gave him a very small margin over Reagan*. Reagan knew the score, shrugged it off, and the rest is history.

    *(Something like that happened in the last Virginia governor’s election as well?)

    nk (dbc370)

  75. No, Lee Atwater, was not in Bush’s 1980 campaign. He was still a Democrat. 😉

    nk (dbc370)

  76. well one of out of two:

    Atwater’s aggressive tactics were first demonstrated during the 1980 Congressional campaigns. He was a campaign consultant to Republican incumbent Floyd Spence in his campaign for Congress against Democratic nominee Tom Turnipseed. Atwater’s tactics in that campaign included push polling in the form of fake surveys by so-called independent pollsters to inform white suburbanites that Turnipseed was a member of the NAACP.[citation needed] He also sent out last-minute letters from Senator Thurmond telling voters that Turnipseed would disarm America and turn it over to liberals and Communists.[citation needed] At a press briefing, Atwater planted a fake reporter who rose and said, “We understand Turnipseed has had psychotic treatment.” Atwater later told reporters off the record that Turnipseed “got hooked up to jumper cables”, referring to electroconvulsive therapy that Turnipseed underwent as a teenager.[6]

    narciso (732bc0)

  77. Oops, sorry. I thought Atwater was working for Turnipseed for some reason.

    nk (dbc370)

  78. no, turnipseed did work for wallace at one point, I believe,

    narciso (732bc0)

  79. Our host wrote,

    Trump, while a moron on policy, is not generally stupid on matters like this. But maybe his personal pique is so great that it overshadows his usual judgment on such issues.

    Patrick, are there specific examples you have in mind which tend to show that Trump’s usual judgment, even on matters other than public policy, is sound?

    As evidence to the contrary, I offer into evidence Beldar Exhbits 1-5, which comprise the consolidated and amended bankruptcy petitions for his five separate waves of corporate bankruptcy (in the first of which, he was very nearly forced into personal bankruptcy).

    I think he’s capable of being shrewd and cunning, like every successful con man. I can’t think of a single example of anything he’s ever said or done that’s exhibited “good judgment,” though.

    Beldar (fa637a)

  80. I’m quibbling over the meaning of the word “judgment,” I suppose. I just wouldn’t use that term to describe his facility for snookering people.

    Beldar (fa637a)

  81. I would LOVE to see a Cruz/Trump debate, because as it’s worded it sounds like something that’s never, so far as I know, occurred in modern times; a real debate along the lines of Lincoln/Douglas. I’d love to see such a debate no matter who was involved.

    Do I think it’ll happen? No. But I wish it would.

    As for Trump’s withdrawal from the Fox debate, frankly, I can see two sides to the issue. Trump’s whining about Kelly is over the top IMHO, but, I found Fox’s public nasty, snarky response to Trump even moreso, coming as it did from an organization that is professing neutrality. I really see no reason to say one or the other is right, because both may very well be wrong (and that’s my current opinion).

    As for tactics from Trump’s POV, yes, at first glace this does look very much like he shot himself in the foot. He’s IMHO compounding his error by not focusing on Fox’s response but instead diluting his own messaging by still including jabs at Kelly. Anyway, that’s my gut read at the moment. However, I’ve said that about several of his past actions too, and been wrong every dang time. My current opinion is we’ll have no real clue whether this as hurt or helped him until we see the vote totals Monday, and perhaps not even then.

    Arizona CJ (da673d)

  82. beldar haven’t the last seven years taught you, the facts don’t matter, it’s only the narrative that can be carved from them, the details about the oh so impartial questioners should make that point clear,

    narciso (732bc0)

  83. Beldar,

    I meant judgment in terms of knowing what to do in order to persuade his marks. I guess it’s a kind of cunning, and I have no objection to your objecting to the word “judgment.” But his moves, often seeming foolish, seemed to have worked in many cases. I don’t think this move will work. And I’m going on record saying so, because even though I think it’s obvious that it’s stupid and counterproductive, people are so used to his seemingly clownish moves working out for him, they’re unwilling to predict the failure of this one.

    Patterico (86c8ed)

  84. Yes, as Painted Jaguar said,
    sometimes it is unclear what is under the water causing the disturbance on the surface of the water.

    I am going to confidently predict that something will happen,
    and it will be a great day for pundits and their punditry,
    because no one will really know what happened,
    and why it did,
    but that will not stop the opining.

    MD in Philly (at the moment not in Philly) (deca84)

  85. yes, because they will ignore all the other missed calls,

    narciso (732bc0)

  86. Let’s agree on “low cunning,” then. 😉

    Beldar (fa637a)

  87. I hope that Fox leaves an empty podium with his name on it in the center of the stage.

    Beldar (fa637a)

  88. seeing how the debates have been organized more like a soccer scrum, with cruz given relatively few goals, what will be different,

    narciso (732bc0)

  89. all you really need to know, is the powers that be, are not on cruz’s side, and they will endeavor to show it in this debate.

    narciso (732bc0)

  90. “Comparing Trump to Reagan is like comparing Boy George to Chuck Norris.”

    He’d rumble for ya… He’d rumble for ya…

    Colonel Haiku (2601c0)

  91. I’d like Cruz to discuss the seriousness and validity of
    his involvement, as NRSC Vice-Chair, in the Mississippi Cochran scandal/fiasco:

    http://theconservativetreehouse.com/2016/01/27/heres-why-ted-cruz-has-already-lost-iowa-glenn-beck-lying-version/

    Kauf Buch (0b35dc)

  92. Wow, to see people trashing Fox News to defend Trump is hilarious.

    Fox News has allowed Trump to use its airwaves at his pleasure since he got into the race. Whats the stat? He has been on like 130 times since announcing? No other candidate comes close.

    Fox has given Trump the opportunity to go on virtually any and every one of their shows, to blather about whatever he pleased— and because Kelly asked him a question….and lets be serious…you have to be dishonest or naive to think the topic isnt going to be bullseyed by the media the day after Trump wins the nomination…..because Kelly asked him a question he didnt like, he gets to throw a temper tantrum?

    What is going to happen when all he gets is questions he doesnt like? You think the rest of the media is going to be kinder and gentler to Trump than Fox News? History suggests that is idiotic.

    We have talked about how Obama is a thin skinned narcissist for over 7 years. How is Trump’s behavior any different? The hypocrisy on display is disheartening. I thought our side was better than that….wouldnt worship a candidate like that.

    Trump is going to stand on stage tonight with a bunch of also rans, pretending he cares about veterans (which he has ignored with his “generosity” until today), while the adults debate the issues. You can call it genius, you can call it strategy…..i call it, taking your ball and going home when you dont get your way.

    It isnt about Fox News. Its about Trump being Trump.

    Alec j (def15e)


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