Save us from Ourselves: Donald Trump to Moderate GOP Debate
In case you haven't heard yet, Newsmax has announced today that Donald Trump will be moderating the December 27 GOP presidential debate in Des Moines. This is astonishingly foolish.
Trump's participation offers no tangible benefit for Republican voters. This is the man, remember, who lusted over universal health care and wants a full-scale trade war with China, so it's not as if he's representing the intellectual impulses of the right. He's also the most prominent public face of birtherism, so including him in the proceedings elevates gutter populism of the worst sort at exactly the moment that the broader public will be tuning in to learn what the GOP field is all about.
Worst of all is that this debate will take place in the holiday week between Christmas and New Year's. While that may translate to lower ratings for the live broadcast of the debate, it also means that the clips will likely be circulating for days in the midst of a slow news week. This will diminish every one of the candidates and the broader Republican Party. And it will benefit Trump, an unrepentant pimp, who will use this stage as he does all stages -- as a platform for a prolonged infomercial.
Most of these presidential candidates have spent the past several months telling us that this is one of the most important elections of our lifetimes. It's time to start acting like it. For this one moment, the field needs to band together and work as one. And they need to tell Newsmax, "Either Trump doesn't show up or we don't show up."
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Comments:
Jun '10
Re: Save us from Ourselves: Donald Trump to Moderate GOP Debate
"[A]n unrepentant pimp." Well said, Troy.
Aug '10
Re: Save us from Ourselves: Donald Trump to Moderate GOP Debate
flownover: Whither gravitas ? · Dec 2 at 1:53pm
Didja mean "Whither gravity"?
May '10
Re: Save us from Ourselves: Donald Trump to Moderate GOP Debate
Midget Faded Rattlesnake
You don't understand. His hairpiece isn't what it seems. It's a parasitic fungus that uses attention-seeking behavior to spread its spores. That's why stuff like this keeps happening. <clip>
.. · Dec 2 at 12:45pm
Sheez, so Ophiocordyceps unilateralis is where the zombie creators got their ideas! There is nothing new under the sun.
May '10
Re: Save us from Ourselves: Donald Trump to Moderate GOP Debate
Newt needs to stick with his program of eviscerating the questioners.
Aug '10
Re: Save us from Ourselves: Donald Trump to Moderate GOP Debate
when is the tea party sponsored debate ?
or can we just call it "teaboarding" ? are you with me, dr Yoo ?
Jul '10
Re: Save us from Ourselves: Donald Trump to Moderate GOP Debate
I guess Jerry Springer wasn't available.
Re: Save us from Ourselves: Donald Trump to Moderate GOP Debate
Yes, for Newt, this will be a real opportunity.
Mar '11
Re: Save us from Ourselves: Donald Trump to Moderate GOP Debate
I'm sure Mr Trump will do a fine job - much better than the lefty inquisitors asking inane questions - he will ask about substantive issues like China and how to make the US competitive again (just a guess).
May '10
Re: Save us from Ourselves: Donald Trump to Moderate GOP Debate
flownover: when is the tea party sponsored debate ?
or can we just call it "teaboarding" ? are you with me, dr Yoo ?
Have the Ricochet administrators even tried inviting the candidates to a Ricochet debate? I stand by that proposal.
Oct '10
Re: Save us from Ourselves: Donald Trump to Moderate GOP Debate
what if trump threatens to go 3rd party if the candidates refuse to participate in his debate?
Sep '10
Re: Save us from Ourselves: Donald Trump to Moderate GOP Debate
Brilliant move by The Donald to position the Republican candidates as contestants on the Apprentice.
Sep '10
Re: Save us from Ourselves: Donald Trump to Moderate GOP Debate
Insane double post caused by expensive non chill filtered single malt scotch whiskey.
Edited on December 3, 2011 at 6:08amJul '11
Re: Save us from Ourselves: Donald Trump to Moderate GOP Debate
flownover: Whither gravitas ? · Dec 2 at 1:53pm
My pet tarantula fluffy has now been found and this narcissist has some answering to do.
Nov '11
Re: Save us from Ourselves: Donald Trump to Moderate GOP Debate
Do not fear The Swoop.
The Swoop cannot harm you.
The Swoop is not just a hairstyle. It's a lifestyle. Diversity, and all that, you know.
Is one allowed to whisper that, in a polity of government "By the People," a certain amount of this sort of thing we superior types must accept with grace and humor? The man has money. Tons of it. So, please, no tut, tutting.
Troy, an enduring appreciation of the ubiquitous ridiculousness of the human situation (what ordinary folks, though they be idiots, would more modestly refer to as "a healthy sense of humor") might be the only thing left untaxed . . . so you'd do well to hang on to yours.
Edited on December 3, 2011 at 7:55pmRe: Save us from Ourselves: Donald Trump to Moderate GOP Debate
Of course I'd do well to hang on to it. It's my entire business model!
Let's make a vital distinction though: I'm willing to find the humor in the process by which we elect our presidents. I'm not willing, however, to see that process become an intentional joke.
Astonishing:
Troy, an enduring appreciation of the ubiquitous ridiculousness of the human situation (what ordinary folks, though they be idiots, would more modestly refer to as "a healthy sense of humor") might be the only thing left untaxed . . . so you'd do well to hang on to yours. · Dec 3 at 10:54am
Edited on Dec 03 at 10:55 am
Aug '10
Re: Save us from Ourselves: Donald Trump to Moderate GOP Debate
DocJay
flownover: Whither gravitas ?
My pet tarantula fluffy has now been found and this narcissist has some answering to do.
Here, Fluffy... where are you.... where ARE you?
Sep '10
Re: Save us from Ourselves: Donald Trump to Moderate GOP Debate
Theoretical particle physicists have a legitimate concern that the Donald-Newt ego collision may permanently alter the space time continuum in Washington.
Sep '10
Re: Save us from Ourselves: Donald Trump to Moderate GOP Debate
And it would create another Faster Than Light Newtrino.
Sep '10
Re: Save us from Ourselves: Donald Trump to Moderate GOP Debate
Double post.
Edited on December 4, 2011 at 3:29amSep '10
Re: Save us from Ourselves: Donald Trump to Moderate GOP Debate
Triple post.
Edited on December 4, 2011 at 3:30am