No Trump, No Debate!

      Des Moines Iowa is the place and the FOX NEWS/Google GOP debate stage is set. The American Anthem will be sung, and the spotlight will shine. The spotlight will shine on the eight Republican Presidential candidates that are to be in the main debate of interest. Only seven of the candidates will be in attendance, and be participating in the long awaited Iowan debate. The Republican front runner, Donald J. Trump will not be participating in tomorrow night's debate as a matter of principle, and one of which many Americans agree. Not surprisingly Trump is taking heat for his decision to withdraw from the debate. Trump's decision is not a poor decision, but a smart decision, and smart decisions are the making of leader and a strong leader at that.
    Without the leading candidate you don't have a debate. No Trump, no debate! In my opinion Fox news attempted to gain viewers in their choosing Meghan Kelly to be one of the moderators in tomorrow night's debate, and they failed. They failed miserably as Donald Trump "trumped" Fox news, and pulled out. In choosing Kelly they knew that viewers would be sure to tune in as one would have to have lived under a rock to not know of the feud between Kelly and Trump. Kelly started this feud, and Kelly and her network appear to want to continue the feud, but Trump is bowing out. In Fox's first debate Kelly was not a moderator, she was a prosecutor. A moderator questions, a moderator does not lend opinions ,nor attack. Kelly did just that, and who's to say that she would not be guilty of the same again? 
       In the first Fox News debate, Fox news reporter Meghan Kelly posed Trump with a rather sexist question at the beginning of the night, and one many were up in arms over. Not only did Kelly pose Trump with a question that was one of controversy, but she offered a rather cocky attitude and got overly involved as well. A moderator is only meant to moderate ,and question, not show favoritism and interject a commentary. The exchange went as follows, Kelly: "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…" Trump:: 'Only Rosie O’Donnell." Kelly: "No, it wasn’t. Your Twitter account…"  "For the record, it was well beyond Rosie O’Donnell." Trump: "Yes, I’m sure it was." Kelly: "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?" Trump then answered: "I think the big problem this country has is being politically correct. I’ve been challenged by so many people, and I don’t frankly have time for total political correctness. And to be honest with you, this country doesn’t have time either. This country is in big trouble. We don’t win anymore. We lose to China. We lose to Mexico both in trade and at the border. We lose to everybody. And frankly, what I say, and often times it’s fun, it’s kidding. We have a good time. What I say is what I say. And honestly Meghan, if you don’t like it, I’m sorry. I’ve been very nice to you, although I could probably maybe not be, based on the way you have treated me. But I wouldn’t do that.But you know what, we — we need strength, we need energy, we need quickness and we need brain in this country to turn it around. That, I can tell you right now." The exchange was not one of a typical debate, it was a biased moderator with a mission to destroy a candidate. The same occurred in the last Presidential election between then Governor Mitt Romney and current President Barrack Obama. Moderator Candy Crowley cut Romney off in an exchange regarding Benghazi. Romney wrongly backed down. Had Crowley allowed Romney to further discuss the wrong doings of the Obama administration with Benghazi, Romney might have been the President today, he did not and we have paid the price with the re-election of Barrack Obama.
       In knowing the animosity that Meghan Kelly had for Donald Trump I feel Fox News should have back tracked in their choosing Kelly to moderate. Repeatedly Kelly has continued her distaste for the front runner in her show "The Kelly File",  and therefore I feel Kelly should not have been chosen to moderate the final debate prior to the Iowa caucuses. I myself can't help but wonder if the all knowing, ball busting Kelly has her own political motives. Kelly herself identifies as an Independent, and has admitted to voting for both Democrats and Republicans.While an Independent should have an unbiased opinion, Kelly has time and time again unleashed her opinion on Trump as well as the network. Upon hearing the news of Trump's withdrawal from the debate a  Fox news spokesman then released the following statement to The Business Insider, "We learned from a secret back channel that the Ayatollah and Putin both intend to treat Donald Trump unfairly when they meet with him if he becomes president — a nefarious source tells us that Trump has his own secret plan to replace the Cabinet with his Twitter followers to see if he should even go to those meetings." 
      While Fox News may have thought they would bait the leading candidate into participating in their debate Trump is standing his ground. Trump is a man who speaks the truth, and speaks his mind. Trump is without filters and therefore Trump not attending the Fox News channel's debate is the most intelligent move Trump could have made. Sometimes, less said or nothing said is best said. While Fox news assured Trump that he would be treated fairly there's no guarantee. There's no guarantee that Kelly will not unleash her sharp tongue. For Trump to attend the Fox News debate would be  likened to entering the lion's den. All in all Fox News chose to stand by Kelly and they can have Kelly, and with their choice they will suffer the viewership of millions of viewers.
     We all make choices, Fox News made theirs, and Trump has made his. Donald trump will be hosting his own event on possibly another network to raise money for Wounded Warriors. In Trump not participating in this final debate prior to the Iowa caucuses he has left Fox News with a wet noodle. Personally I think it's great. The Republicans have voiced their dislike for Trump, Fox news has disrespected Trump and therefore you get what you get. Perhaps America needs a good sampling of an election without a candidate with the passion and leadership of Trump. The debate will consist of seven candidates, five of no interest, two in contention, and an absence of a true leader. No Trump, No debate!
(c)Sean Bianca
GOPGIRL BLOG 2016
  As a footnote a former President also boycotted a debate his name was President Ronald Reagan. 
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