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Quote: Evenbob

Now Trump says they won't give the money
to charity so he won't do the debate. Oh well.

Great for him. Just like he says in his book, be willing to walk away. Alpha males don't cave at the first sign of resistance.

Trump said he would debate Sanders
Sanders agreed
Trump chickened out
Well yea, check out this video

He said he would debate if the network paid
$15 mil to charity. Nobody would do it so there
will be no debate.

Quote: Evenbob

He said he would debate if the network paid
$15 mil to charity. Nobody would do it so there
will be no debate.

This is the kind of condition you impose when you don't actually want to do something. Totally unrealistic condition which he knew would never be met.

Quote: Aussie

This is the kind of condition you impose when you don't actually want to do something. Totally unrealistic condition which he knew would never be met.

Which is how you negotiate this kind of thing. Some network might easily jump at the thing. It would be a ratings killer. Donate the 15MM and they could still make a few million for themselves on a 2 hour show. "Friends" used to be $6MM for just the salaries over 15 years ago. That was per half hour. It could have worked, time was probably too short though.

Quote: AZDuffman

"Friends" used to be $6MM for just the salaries over 15 years ago. That was per half hour. It could have worked, time was probably too short though.

I think the networks were more worried about setting a precedent. I think that they are probably upset that Trump keeps talking about the business aspect of campaigns.

The most viewed non-sports program in cable television history was an episode of AMC’s “The Walking Dead” last year, but even that drew 6.6 million fewer viewers than the debate. NY Times August 7, 2015

Quote: Pacomartin

I think the networks were more worried about setting a precedent. I think that they are probably upset that Trump keeps talking about the business aspect of campaigns.

Trump has really exposed the sausage making
of campaigns. How the debates are packed
with lobbyists and their supporters. how the
networks made millions more because of
Trump. He always see's money first in everything,
it's his job. Not a bad thing in a president. He
will instinctively at the cost of whatever is in
front of him, he can't help it.

Quote: Pacomartin

I think the networks were more worried about setting a precedent.

They might well have been, I'm just saying it was not the donation that was the issue. If it was, they would have made a counter and Trump might have made up some or all of the difference.

In the end it still worked. Kept him in a positive light for a news cycle that extends over the holiday weekend. Hillary was put in a no-win situation and Trump in no-lose one. But when you look at the forest instead of the trees it gets better for Trump. For one, Bernie was for it. Trump may get smart and make either a deal or publicly offer him say a cabinet post in human services. Given the path Trump has taken of reaching out and how Bernie hates Hillary, well crazier things have happened. If he did it, he would again steal the news for 1-3 days.

Hillary is not controlling message. She has had several "reboots." She is focus-grouping to death, hoping for something that will play. Trump is just trying things. Because of this, Trump makes the news. He plays the media like a piano. Protests in the end probably help him more than hurt him. Hillary seems to be going with the idea that the quieter she is the less people will hate her.

Can you win an election saying nothing?

Quote: AZDuffman

In the end it still worked. Kept him in a positive light for a news cycle that extends over the holiday weekend. Hillary was put in a no-win situation and Trump in no-lose one.

A no-lose one?

You may want to check Twitter for the #ChickenTrump hashtag which has caught fire.

No one (except his diehard supporters who believe all his lies) are buying his reasoning for dropping out of the debate.

He's scared. But that's to be expected: chickens are often afraid of men named "Sanders."

Quote: ams288

You may want to check Twitter for the #ChickenTrump hashtag which has caught fire.

Yeah, the average voter really cares about Twitter. Die Hards following a new hashtag is not something to worry about.

All Trump would need to do would be to say, "Bernie, how are you going to pay for all this? A 110% tax rate?"

I seriously however cannot wait until Sanders upends the Democrat Convention as he claims he wants to do so. Probably he will be bought or scared off, but if it happens will be fun.