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| Fox News and Donald Trump |
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FYI - There is no actual "debating" that occurs in these forums as the word is defined. Random questions are asked, Miss Universe style, and the candidate is given 90 seconds to wrap a campaign speaking point around something that hopefully resembles a response to a question. If another candidate is mentioned - by name- he can respond. This would, you might hope, lead to debating specific points of difference, but instead this is normally an extension of a previously aired grievance or ad.
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In these "debates", the only consistent theme has been that President Obama is defined (repeatedly) as a weakling afraid to stand up to whatever or whoever the subject of the question is. In 1 of these, CNBC actually had follow up questions and challenged the truth of some of the most egregious lies (most are never challenged). For that, these iron-backboned men - and Carley Fiorina - refused to have a debate on CBNC sister station NBC. They moved it back to the friendly confines of FOX News and FOX Business channels.
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Fox News, the incubator of many of the candidates (Donald Trump practically lives there, Mike Huckabee, Sarah Palin, Rick Santorim have all had paid gigs there) is the chosen host broadcaster as a rule.
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Now, for Donald Trump, that is not enough. You see in the first debate, Megan Kelly a rising star at FOX asked the first question. It was not really out of bounds.(from Washington Post link including video).
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1) "Mr. Trump, one of the things people love about you is you speak your mind and you don't use a politician's filter. However, that is not without its downsides, in particular, when it comes to women. You've called women you don't like 'fat pigs,' 'dogs,' 'slobs' and 'disgusting animals.' ....
Your Twitter account has several disparaging comments about women's looks. You once told a contestant on 'Celebrity Apprentice' it would be a pretty picture to see her on her knees.
Does that sound to you like the temperament of a man we should elect as president, and how will you answer the charge from Hillary Clinton, who was likely to be the Democratic nominee, that you are part of the war on women?"
First of all, Kelly has her facts correct here -- up to and including the "knees" part. Now, Trump could certainly make an argument that this comment wasn't intended to be as suggestive as some have said -- and as Kelly seemed to believe.
Mr. Trump's first response was "Only Rosie O'Donnell.." followed by a chuckle. He then said that he loved women, but Ms. Kelly's question wasn't very nice, and then proceeded to yacky yacky about Obama.
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After the debate, Mr Trump later went on TV and suggested that, although he liked Megan Kelly, she was crazy that night. She had blood coming out her ears, her nose and "other places" - implying in his Donald-like way that the only female ever to ask him a tough question was in a bad mood because she was menstruating.
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Now it is the last of these great oratorical death matches and Mr. Trump has refused to participate because Megan Kelly will be one of the moderators. Mr Trump, who has repeatedly told us he can stand up to Putin, China, Mexican Drug Lords and not be afraid like Obama. He is however refusing to participate with Megan Kelly as one of several moderators. Irony, however, is lost on his followers, so I doubt it makes a difference.