You know what’s crazy? I’ll tell you what’s crazy™
Donald Trump skipping Thursday’s debate.
It’s genius.
It’s stupid.
It’s genius because it is all up in your face ballsy. Trump is all about being a river boat gambler, a take risks businessman, not afraid to take chances, speak his mind, or agitate anyone at anytime.
It’s stupid because it will deprive people of hearing all the candidates square off on all the issues. Instead of hearing what Trump has to say about building walls or Jeb’s weak political back bone, we are going to hear how trump is a diaper wearing skid mark who was afraid to man up and take center stage. The other candidates are going to eviscerate Trump equating him to a thong wearing wuss who was afraid to face candidates whose campaigns are on life support.
It’s genius because it creates a news cycle that begins and ends with Donald Trump. The sun sets and it’s what will Trump do? The sun rises and it’s all about what Trump is going to do. Tuesday night it’s will he or won’t he as the lead story on Fox and CNN and any other news program gyrating on the political beat. Instead of talking about the shooting in Oregon or the DOW bouncing back for a change, we are hearing about Donald Trump and his fight with Fox over who will moderate the next debate. Any press is good press they say. If that’s the case, Trump is winning the war.
It was stupid because it creates a news cycle that is about a candidate not participating rather than participating. It raises the spectre of Trump the quitter, willing to walk away from something that is hard or not to his liking. The last time the American People checked, being President of the USA is the toughest job on the planet. If he doesn’t like the woman moderating his debate, how will he like it when a school bus full of protesters throw buckets of monkey crap over the wall at the White House?
It’s genius because instead of talking on stage for the 6th time against the same guys who have no chance of winning Iowa, Trump is going to raise millions for the Wounded Warrior project. I predict he will get more air time for this worth while benefit. You know what, he should get more air time for raising money for injured soldiers. A debate VS raising money for wounded warriors? Is it even an argument? The American people care about their veterans. If Trump cares about veterans, raises money for vets? Well, that’s going to win over some hearts, perhaps a lot of hearts.
It’s stupid because people are saying Trump is afraid to debate. Trump has a big lead in Iowa. Some say that he has nothing to gain by debating the same guys who are going to jam him up like its a prison riot in Rikers. Trump has easily handled all comers at every debate. He defends himself adroitly and then goes on the attack. But if he isn’t at the debate, he won’t be able to counterpunch. He will be in the cross hairs for everyone on the stage. He is a chicken they will say. He was afraid to talk about the substantive issues they will chirp. Will the voters care? Maybe.
Its genius because Trump wants to control his surroundings. Successful people put themselves in situations to succeed. Is Trump really afraid of a moderator? I doubt it. If he is, then how is he going to handle Putin and the extreme left if he is elected? Trump is putting economic pressure on Fox. The last debate was the biggest spectacle in cable history. The network made bank. Advertising dollars were rich and executives were patting each other on the backs. Now Trump is staying home. It’s possible the network could take a ratings beating. What does that say to the American public? Trump is a shrewd negotiator. How else are we going to deal with the Chinese, right? I like the fact that Fox is standing by Megyn Kelly. Rule one of journalism; you don’t let the interviewees dictate terms. But Trump is also exercising his right to do what he wants in a free and democratic society.
It’s stupid because Trump thinks he can dictate who will ask him questions. He comes off as aristocratic and spoiled and egotistical and out of touch. Trump is the child who didn’t get his way so he took his ball and he’s going home.
I’d like to see Trump in the debate. I’d like to see him go one on one with Cruz. That would surely be good TV.
But I’m also excited to see a benefit to help our veterans and injured servicemen and women.
Will he? Won’t He?
Either way, it’s genius. It’s stupid.
Life’s Crazy™