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wheniwasincongress

(1,307 posts) Wed Mar 16, 2016, 05:24 PM Mar 2016

Fox’s GOP debate canceled after Trump and Kasich back out

Source: Washington Post

Fox News canceled its upcoming Republican presidential debate after contenders Donald Trump and John Kasich backed out.

Kasich, the Ohio governor, said he would join the event only with the participation of GOP front-runner Trump, who on Wednesday morning said he planned to skip the Monday debate in Salt Lake City because he already had plans to deliver a "very major speech" on the same day.

"I'm making a very major speech in front of a very important group of people," Trump said on "Fox & Friends," later confirming that the remarks will be delivered before the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). Trump said his speech at the powerful lobbying group's conference in Washington "was scheduled a while ago."
...
"This morning, Donald Trump announced he would not be participating in the debate," Fox News Channel Executive Vice President Michael Clemente said in a statement. "Shortly afterward, John Kasich's campaign announced that without Trump at the debate, Kasich would not participate. Ted Cruz has expressed a willingness to debate Trump or Kasich — or both. But obviously, there needs to be more than one participant. So the Salt Lake City debate is cancelled."

Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2016/03/16/donald-trump-will-skip-upcoming-fox-debate-for-major-speech-before-jewish-group/

Kasich dropped out because Trump dropped out. Wouldn't it have been smart for Kasich to remain at the debate, where he and Ted Cruz could rightfully criticize Trump's debate absences?

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Fox’s GOP debate canceled after Trump and Kasich back out (Original Post) wheniwasincongress Mar 2016 OP

I would think so. old guy Mar 2016 #1

Yes davidthegnome Mar 2016 #2

Imagine Trump faced with statements DESIGNED in enrage him... 63splitwindow Mar 2016 #3

Kasich made a really terrible decision here. StevieM Mar 2016 #4

Excellent! Kasich is blowing an obvious opportunity for free face-time. vkkv Mar 2016 #5

MAybe like almost any almost-sane person... fullautohotdog Mar 2016 #6

Yeah, that IS A consideration. Feels creepy just standing next to Cruz. n/t vkkv Mar 2016 #9

Huge mistake by Kasich IMO ... Auggie Mar 2016 #7

What, no one wants to hear Cruz bloviate? 6000eliot Mar 2016 #8

Yeah, I was hoping for a 2 hour monologue. trof Mar 2016 #10

old guy

(3,283 posts)

1. I would think so.

Reply to wheniwasincongress (Original post)

Wed Mar 16, 2016, 05:30 PM

Mar 2016

Perfect time to use the empty chair schtick.

davidthegnome

(2,983 posts)

2. Yes

Reply to wheniwasincongress (Original post)

Wed Mar 16, 2016, 05:33 PM

Mar 2016

"Wouldn't it have been smart for Kasich to remain at the debate, where he and Ted Cruz could rightfully criticize Trump's debate absences?"

Absolutely. The Republican party seems destined for destruction here... I do not like what the extremists who are taking over are up to. Listening to somewhat more rational (compared to Trump and Cruz, anyway) people like Kasich demonstrates that not ALL republicans are complete lunatics. Sadly, it seems that the party that emerges from this election will be as bad as, if not worse than the Tea Party ever was.

I fully expect a Trump nomination, at this point. I also expect, that, in the unlikely event that the powers that be prevent that... there will indeed be riots in the streets. It's altogether despicable, ridiculous, frightening... and it should give any rational American pause. This guy... Trump, with his massive appeal to the KKK, Nazis, extremists, birthers and so on... this guy could possibly be our next President. We will really have to get out the vote - we outnumber the extremists and the haters, but they are passionate - and will begin coming out, I suspect, in numbers never before seen... to support Trump.

Cruz is not much better, if at all better. The difference is that Cruz is a politician, who gives something of a damn about what voters think of him. Trump isn't - and really doesn't.

63splitwindow

(2,657 posts)

3. Imagine Trump faced with statements DESIGNED in enrage him...

Reply to wheniwasincongress (Original post)

Wed Mar 16, 2016, 05:50 PM

Mar 2016

to the maximum amount possible. Can't hide forever Donald...
[link:|

StevieM

(10,500 posts)

4. Kasich made a really terrible decision here.

Reply to wheniwasincongress (Original post)

Wed Mar 16, 2016, 05:57 PM

Mar 2016

First of all, this is a chance to portray Donald Trump as skipping out on debates. That is not an opportunity that should have been missed.

Second, Utah is not a good state for Donald Trump. He may come in third, and he almost certainly won't win. Having a debate in Salt Lake City would have gotten a lot of Utah residents to tune in. Had he done well then perhaps he could have upset Ted Cruz. But now he has given up that opportunity.

Cruz is going to win Utah.