A Trump-Sanders Debate...

Lord Jim · Post by **Lord Jim** » Thu May 26, 2016 11:27 am

may become a reality...

Bernie Sanders Agrees to Debate Donald Trump

LANCASTER, Calif. — In the latest twist to this unpredictable 2016 presidential race, presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders independently agreed Wednesday night to debate each other.

On ABC's "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" Trump was asked if he would consider holding a debate with Sanders. Trump agreed to the idea.

"If he paid a sum toward charity I would love to do that," said the business mogul, noting that a Sanders vs. Trump debate "would have such high ratings."

Sanders quickly responded with a tweet reading, "Game On. I look forward to debating Donald Trump in California before the June 7th primary."

This response was also a jab at Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton, who this week declined to face off with Sanders in a previously agreed upon California debate.

Sanders said during a Santa Monica rally Monday that he was "disturbed but not surprised" that Clinton "backed out of the debate."

Clinton's communications director Jennifer Palmieri wrote in a statement that her candidate's time was "best spent campaigning and meeting directly with voters across California."

http://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2016-el ... rs-n580706

I think there's a decent chance this could actually come off, since I can see some definite benefits for both of them...

From Sanders' point of view, Trump is right, the ratings are likely to be pretty good, so it gives him an excellent platform to make his case one more time prior to the California primary....

From Trump's point of view, it gives him a chance to make an appeal for support from Sanders supporters who don't like Hillary...

If this does happen, one thing you can be sure of is that they will both spend a lot more time going after Hillary than each other, because they both have an incentive to do so...

RayThom · Post by **RayThom** » Thu May 26, 2016 3:29 pm

I'm guessing this is some kind of publicity stunt between two people who will never be president.

Big RR · Post by **Big RR** » Thu May 26, 2016 3:34 pm

I'm not sure whether I'd watch it or not; I'd like to see the issues discussed, but Trump and his bluster could make that impossible (especially if there is no real moderation of the debates, which is pretty much what has happened before when Trump participated. I would think Bernie could clean Trump's clock in a real debate (most politicians could), but I really don't know how he'd stand up under the constant ad hominem attacks (and what else does Trump have but this BS?). Maybe if there's nothing else on.

Crackpot · Post by **Crackpot** » Thu May 26, 2016 3:45 pm

You kidding? Trump would go easy on him. It actually helps him to do mediocre to moderately poor in the debate because it would help further divide his opposition.

Big RR · Post by **Big RR** » Thu May 26, 2016 3:47 pm

I'm not sure Trump has that degree of self control; his ego wouldn't allow Bernie to score any points. Plus, I don't think Trump can even imagine a scenario where he would even have a chance of losing, so no need to divide the opposition.

Crackpot · Post by **Crackpot** » Thu May 26, 2016 4:28 pm

You underestimate the level of self control he has and he intends it that way. It's exactly how he got the nomination and he's betting on it to win him the presidency.

Long Run · Post by **Long Run** » Thu May 26, 2016 5:30 pm

This reality show just keeps on coming up with new stuff to amaze us.

Joe Guy · Post by **Joe Guy** » Thu May 26, 2016 6:24 pm

It's difficult to figure out what to believe when Trump is involved.... No, Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders Aren’t Actually Going to Debate

Lord Jim · Post by **Lord Jim** » Thu May 26, 2016 6:29 pm

And at the moment I'm listening to Trump live at a new conference say that he definitely does want to have a debate with Bernie...

Joe Guy · Post by **Joe Guy** » Thu May 26, 2016 6:37 pm

After a very quick search, that Time article is the only one I've seen that says the debate won't happen. I hope it does.

rubato · Post by **rubato** » Thu May 26, 2016 9:22 pm

Well per the process they put in place Trump is the best and brightest from the Republican Party.

Bob Dole (lost election)
Bush (lost election, appointed by SC anyway)
McCain (lost election)
Romney (lost election)

Not exactly an auspicious group. Maybe they need to look into deeper problems?

yrs,
rubato

Big RR · Post by **Big RR** » Fri May 27, 2016 1:49 pm

Crackpot wrote:You underestimate the level of self control he has and he intends it that way. It's exactly how he got the nomination and he's betting on it to win him the presidency.

Perhaps I do, but I doubt it. You do understand that voting for a person because he is not a big a jerk as he presents himself to be is pretty ridiculous.

Crackpot · Post by **Crackpot** » Fri May 27, 2016 2:06 pm

There are many types of intelegences. Trump knows people and he knows how to sell. He understands the cognitive dissonance that fear and anger create. And above all he knows the impression it creates of a person that uses these devices and he expertly uses it to get his opponents to underestimate him.

Big RR · Post by **Big RR** » Fri May 27, 2016 3:11 pm

Perhaps, or maybe he's as big of an ass as he seems. I'm going with that interpretation as I have seen no evidence is anything but an ass. Of course, to some when you're rich you can never be an ass, you're just underestimated (or eccentric, or misunderstood, or ...). I've known plenty of people like Trump, and you can't underestimate them--you just have to appeal to their vanity and work around them (and hope they do have some smart people around them who actually have an understanding of the business and the deal being negotiated).

Crackpot · Post by **Crackpot** » Fri May 27, 2016 3:14 pm

None of what I say negates him being an ass. What I'm saying is that being an ass doesn't mean he is without method. I believe he has learned how to use his assholery to maximum effect. And he is using the percieced opinion that assholes are stupid (as there is a general tendency to equate what ever traits we don't value with deficiency) to his ultimate advantage.

Big RR · Post by **Big RR** » Fri May 27, 2016 3:34 pm

Well, when I use the word "ass", I am including in it a large dose of stupidity. You seem to think that he has developed this persona (or possibly used the persona he has) to his advantage; nothing I have ever read or heard about him leads me to that conclusion. He spouts off and people tolerate him I have never heard anything from those who worked or negotiated with him indicating he was particularly good or effective at negotiation or getting people to do what he wants. His only luck is that his money buys him some good people working around him who can sidestep his idiocy and get things done. But if this were the Godfather, he'd be more the Fredo brother than Sonny or Michael.

MajGenl.Meade · Post by **MajGenl.Meade** » Fri May 27, 2016 3:36 pm

Maybe they'll discuss President Obama's $22,000/month rental in DC to be occupied when he leaves office. I see W gets over a million per year in pension ($205K) plus 'overheads'. I'd guess President Obama can afford a paltry rent like that then.

Big RR · Post by **Big RR** » Fri May 27, 2016 3:45 pm

If I'm not mistaken, I'm sure the overheads are for office space and maybe something to do with a library, not for his living space. But I'm sure Obama could pay for his rent with just a few speeches at big events--ex-presidents are in bug demand for that.

MajGenl.Meade · Post by **MajGenl.Meade** » Fri May 27, 2016 3:48 pm

Yes, W gets 454,000 for his "office". Of course the Big O could pay the rent with speaking, writing and lobbying. Not sure why the bugs would demand a speech but he'll moonlight for Orkin

Big RR · Post by **Big RR** » Fri May 27, 2016 3:52 pm

That could be fun.

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