Agthatbuilds said:

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I mean he skipped debates, the only time where candidates can be infront discussing ideas between each other.

I get that Trump turns everything into a publicity stunt, including court, WWE and mma fights and funerals.

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Oh.

Bottomline, the RNC failed to require Trump to attend. Which I think was a mistake on their part.

The DeSantis hardliners seem to fail to grasp that, as a pseudo-incumbent, Trump risked a lot if he agreed to debate in the primaries, and he stood to gain very little…

He didn't need to debate to win…so why should he?

It's the same reason an NFL team, already in the playoffs, will rest starters for game 17 if they have nothing to gain in that game with a win…. Why risk injury if there is no upside?

It's a pretty simple concept…don't do something you don't have to do if there is zero reward for doing so…

Or as my boss says during contract negotiations…"Why break into jail?"

I totally grasp the reason why
Trump chose not to debate. Doesn't mean he shouldn't have shown up at at least one, for the sake of the voters.

Agthatbuilds said:

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I totally grasp the reason why
Trump chose not to debate. Doesn't mean he shouldn't have shown up at at least one, for the sake of the voters.

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No, I don't think you do...

What kind of winning strategy is it to do something that would give you zero upside and only damage your chances of winning...

The goal is to win...

You may not like that answer, and I can appreciate that, but if I'm playing the strategic game, I'm not going to do things that hinder my chances for success, "just to be nice"...

Look, if it makes you feel better, would Trump struggle in a debate against DeSantis?

Yeah, probably...but let's be honest about debates and moderators...they are no friend of Trump, and he is always hit with heavy handed crap while his opponents are treated with pillow-hands...

So if he is likely going to lose some points debating in the R primaries against the likes of DeSantis, Haley, and Ramaswamy, then why the hell take that chance when you can easily beat them without doing so?

Agthatbuilds said:

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I totally grasp the reason why
Trump chose not to debate. Doesn't mean he shouldn't have shown up at at least one, for the sake of the voters.

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For the sake of the voters he did not show up in order to get elected and save America from these idiot Dems .

Lol. Okay.

Is your implication that Trump would've got smoked in the debates or his own cognitive decline would have been on display?

Yes. I understand. It's not complicated.


That doesn't mean it wasn't in the best interest of the voters to have all the viable candidates on stage to talk about the issues.

But, I understand the strategic decision.

Science Denier said:

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bobbranco said:

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Trump received huge exposure in the press. All the majors made bank on him and continue to do so even though they spread propaganda and lies about him.

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In the beginning, he didn't get any real press. But, he forced it and as the campaign continued, he was getting more and more. But, the press he got, he forced it out of the MSM.

Pretty soon, all the press was negative, but it was still press.

To win, you have to make your case to MASSES, not just a local "boots on the ground" campaign.

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And this, folks, is textbook gaslighting.

Trump got TONS of coverage from the second he announced. He had probably as much or more name recognition as anyone else in the race from day one.

He was famous entertainer as much as he was a real estate businessman. The press were up his butt all the time. Sure, a lot wasn't great, but there was still some good. But, as Trump would acknowledge, ANY press (at least for him) is good press.

To say "he didn't get any real press" is just completely untrue.

bobbranco said:

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Good or bad, Trump's popularity is wed to American's desire for fair play. Plenty see that he got a raw deal in 2020 and sympathy from the masses, many not all, certainly helps him.

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I'm sure this is what Trump supporters believe.

Sorry.

He did not gaslight.

nm

bobbranco said:

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Sorry.

He did not gaslight.

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Ok...

I take it back.

THIS is a textbook example of gaslighting.

Nope.

'deception of one's memory, perception of reality, or mental stability'

What did Trump gaslight?

Nothing. We're probably in the middle of some beers or a high ball.

FireAg said:

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What did Trump gaslight?

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I don't know.

I know I didn't say Trump did any gaslighting.

bobbranco said:

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Nope.

'deception of one's memory, perception of reality, or mental stability'

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And...read my earlier post...

And then my response to yours.

I'm done with you. I don't know what other post you are referencing and because after a while I can't type well.

Going to get a beer or two.

Have a good one.

bobbranco said:

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I'm done with you. I don't know what other post you are referencing and because after a while I can't type well.

Going to get a beer or two.

Have a good one.

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It was the one I quoted originally:

This one:

Quote:

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Science Denier said:

In the beginning, he didn't get any real press. But, he forced it and as the campaign continued, he was getting more and more. But, the press he got, he forced it out of the MSM.

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May your beers be cold and inexpensive!