ABC, CBS, Fox News Express Interest in Trump-Sanders Debate

[Mechanicos]

ABC, CBS, Fox News Express Interest in Trump-Sanders Debate

ABC, CBS and Fox News have expressed interest in hosting a debate between presidential candidates Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders.

Sources with knowledge of the situation told Variety that CBS News and Fox News have been in contact with the campaigns about a possible debate. A Fox News spokesperson confirmed that the network has been involved in talks. Meanwhile, a spokesperson for ABC News told Variety, “I can tell you we’re always interested in more opportunities to hear from the candidates.”

The idea of a debate between Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee, and Sanders, who trails frontrunner Hillary Clinton in the race for the Democratic nomination, emerged during Trump’s appearance Wednesday on “Jimmy Kimmel Live.” Kimmel allowed the Sanders campaign to plant a question in the interview, asking Trump whether he would be willing to debate Sanders before the June 7 California primary. Trump responded that he “would love to do that,” if the two candidates could use the event to raise money for charity.

Sanders later wrote on Twitter, “Game on. I look forward to debating Donald Trump in California before the June 7 primary.”

Speaking at a press conference Thursday morning, Trump said that his campaign had already fielded calls from several networks about the possibility of hosting a debate. He added, “I’d love to debate Bernie. He’s a dream.”

Trump has said that he would hope to raise $10-15 million for an unnamed charity from a debate.

An NBC News spokesperson declined to comment when asked whether that organization had been in talks the campaigns regarding a debate. A CNN spokesperson did not respond immediately to a request for comment.

Fox News originally floated the idea of a Trump-sanders debate in March. The New York Times reported at the time that the cable network had nearly drawn the two candidates together for what ended up being a town-hall event with Sanders and Clinton moderated by Bret Baier.
http://variety.com/2016/tv/news/abc-cbs-fox-news-interest-trump-sanders-debate-bernie-donald-election-2016-1201783932/

[Mechanicos]

bttt

[MACVSOG68]

I'd carve out some time to watch it.  While I'm no fan of either one, it might be interesting.

[jmyrlefuller]

This just in: Media who gave Trump more free publicity than all other candidates combined willing to give the man even more free publicity. Film at 11.

[NavyCanDo]

I'd carve out some time to watch it.  While I'm no fan of either one, it might be interesting.

If the audience is split 50/50 it could get real interesting, as in it may be remembered as the WWF debate.

[don-o]

If the audience is split 50/50 it could get real interesting, as in it may be remembered as the WWF debate.

Loser gets his head shaved!

[austingirl]

This just in: Media who gave Trump more free publicity than all other candidates combined willing to give the man even more free publicity. Film at 11.

It's a money maker and ratings dream for the networks. They'll be crawling all over themselves to broadcast it.

[Formerly Once-Ler]

www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Poi5x0E2CM

It couldn't beat this one.

[Formerly Once-Ler]

Conventional wisdom would dictate that Trump would not want to debate Sanders since he is unlikely to be the rat nominee.  It's the same wisdom that had VP Gore, rather than President Clinton, debate Perot over NAFTA.  Conventional wisdom has been wrong about the GOP primaries.  Maybe this helps Trump.

[austingirl]

Have to  finish later. The first seven minutes are hilarious!

[truth_seeker]

Trump only too happy to use Dem. SOCIALIST Sanders to illustrate the many failures of socialism, such as Venezuela, Cuba, N. Korea, etc.

Bernie's wife bankrupted a university, too.  Ready for this yeah.

[Mechanicos]

Conventional wisdom would dictate that Trump would not want to debate Sanders since he is unlikely to be the rat nominee.  It's the same wisdom that had VP Gore, rather than President Clinton, debate Perot over NAFTA.  Conventional wisdom has been wrong about the GOP primaries.  Maybe this helps Trump.

Conventional wisdom my democrat.... Trump will have a direct pipeline to the Bernie supports whom he anticipates will support him in the general. Its a way to woo them and hurt Hillary at the same time. Art of War type stuff.

[MACVSOG68]

Trump only too happy to use Dem. SOCIALIST Sanders to illustrate the many failures of socialism, such as Venezuela, Cuba, N. Korea, etc.

Bernie's wife bankrupted a university, too.  Ready for this yeah.

This makes a lot of sense since Trump is more comfortable talking about jobs and his ideas for economic growth which would obviously be far different from those of Bernie.  It makes sense for Bernie to get as much free publicity as he can.  And it sure makes sense for a network to broadcast it.  Hillary will obviously be the big loser as I'm sure Bernie would make an issue out of her refusal to debate him.

[Bill Cipher]

Might as well call it the Trump Janitorial Service because Trump would wipe the stage with Bernie like a filthy wet mop.

[Maj. Bill Martin]

Conventional wisdom my democrat.... Trump will have a direct pipeline to the Bernie supports whom he anticipates will support him in the general. Its a way to woo them and hurt Hillary at the same time. Art of War type stuff.

This isn't Art of War, which advocates an indirect approach to strategy.  This is what we used to refer to tactically as "hey diddle diddle, straight up the middle".

First - Realistically, how many people actually have their minds changed by these debates?  Perhaps a few independents/undecideds, but not the partisans on either side who enter the debate already siding with one candidate.  Any hope that Trump has of persuading Bernie partisans in that debate is tenuous at best.  And since any undecided will be deciding between Trump and Hillary, not Trump and Bernie, he's not going to convince any of them either, because they'll all be making their decisions later.  The upside just isn't there against Bernie because that's not who he's running against in the general election.

Second -- any hope that Trump is going to use this debate to convince people that socialism isn't the way should be ended right now, because that's not what this debate is going to be about.  I saw Bernie talking about this and he said something like "Someone needs to challenge him to his face about all the racist, homophobic, bigoted, anti-women, anti-worker statements he's made, and call him out on it.   And that's just what I'm going to do."  Which narrative do you think the moderators and media will push?  This format will be tailor made for sound bite hand grenades regurgitating every unwise thing Trump has said.  That's what the moderators will do, and that's what the media will focus on after this is over.  The problem for Trump is that all those things are difficult to answer/wave away quickly.

This will be a disaster of epic proportions precisely because Trump will not have control of the message.

[GrouchoTex]

bttt

I just read where trump said the proceeds could go to  “women’s health issues” .

I hope that doesn't mean what it usually implies.

We shall see.

Will the debate happen at all, considering the time frame?

[Relic]

Trump only too happy to use Dem. SOCIALIST Sanders to illustrate the many failures of socialism, such as Venezuela, Cuba, N. Korea, etc.

Bernie's wife bankrupted a university, too.  Ready for this yeah.

But we're smarter and better than those other places. Anyone knows a good conservative would support Sanders over Trump.

[mystery-ak]

I just read where trump said the proceeds could go to  “women’s health issues” .

I hope that doesn't mean what it usually implies.

We shall see.

Will the debate happen at all, considering the time frame?

Is that Planned Parenthood by any chance?

[Bill Cipher]

Trump may want to consider tying himself up in a strait jacket, just so Sanders thinks he might have a shot.  Otherwise it'll be over before it starts, and that makes for boring TV.

[GrouchoTex]

Is that Planned Parenthood by any chance?

Since Trump didn't mention any group in particular that would deal with  “women’s health issues” it's pretty wide open.
I think he is trying to undo the damage cause by some of his remarks directed at women (like Megyn Kelly, etc.).
I am hoping it is not Planned Parenthood, or another abortion provider/activist group.

[Relic]

Is that Planned Parenthood by any chance?

Of course it will be Planned Parenthood. It's Trump isn't it?

Fortunately, Hillary will fund PP the right way.

[Mechanicos]

This isn't Art of War, which advocates an indirect approach to strategy.  This is what we used to refer to tactically as "hey diddle diddle, straight up the middle".

First - Realistically, how many people actually have their minds changed by these debates?  Perhaps a few independents/undecideds, but not the partisans on either side who enter the debate already siding with one candidate.  Any hope that Trump has of persuading Bernie partisans in that debate is tenuous at best.  And since any undecided will be deciding between Trump and Hillary, not Trump and Bernie, he's not going to convince any of them either, because they'll all be making their decisions later.  The upside just isn't there against Bernie because that's not who he's running against in the general election.

The Bernie supporters are going to be all fired up with no place to go after Hillary steals the Nomination with the Super-Delegates and many will want more vengeance against her and the democrat party than burning the democrat convention to the ground can provide. Trump will be positioned to be the beneficiary of that anger.
 

Second -- any hope that Trump is going to use this debate to convince people that socialism isn't the way should be ended right now, because that's not what this debate is going to be about.  I saw Bernie talking about this and he said something like "Someone needs to challenge him to his face about all the racist, homophobic, bigoted, anti-women, anti-worker statements he's made, and call him out on it.   And that's just what I'm going to do."  Which narrative do you think the moderators and media will push?  This format will be tailor made for sound bite hand grenades regurgitating every unwise thing Trump has said.  That's what the moderators will do, and that's what the media will focus on after this is over.  The problem for Trump is that all those things are difficult to answer/wave away quickly.

Of course the media will try it, they have been for a long time now with no success too. Despite RedState style Spin on it Trump has been able to dodge these bullets by either skirting them, deflecting them or flipping them. I see no reason why that will not continue. Moreover,  I suspect that this debate will be about helping Bernie and hurting Hillary not about harming Trump as Bernie needs Trump to beat Hillary. It would not surprise me if the two do not come up with an agreed upon list of topics to discuss and avoid beforehand. 

This will be a disaster of epic proportions precisely because Trump will not have control of the message.

Been hearing that about Trump this entire election. Not happened yet.

[mystery-ak]

Of course it will be Planned Parenthood. It's Trump isn't it?

Fortunately, Hillary will fund PP the right way.

Noticed your new tag and avatar and some of your supposedly funny posts...if you hate TBR so much why are you here.

[Mechanicos]

Is that Planned Parenthood by any chance?

So the ONLY thing in women's health is Abortions...
Trump is very direct, he does not use code. He will tell you and not care if it offends you. So until we know specifically what "charities" dealing with women's health are involved its not logical to assume the For-Profit Planned parent-hood is even in the mix.

[Relic]

Noticed your new tag and avatar and some of your supposedly funny posts...if you hate TBR so much why are you here.

I just had a "come to Jesus" moment. People are allowed to change aren't they?
No offense intended, what else would you like me to change?