Fox News Almost Hosted a Trump/Sanders Debate, But Trump Backed Out

[Mufaddal]

The first Fox New Democratic town hall held Monday night had its origins as a planned debate between Bernie Sanders and Donald Trump, but the idea was scrapped after Trump pulled out of the debate.

The New York Times reports that Fox executives had the idea, which would have “made primary debate history” as the first face-off between Democratic and Republican presidential candidates before either party picked its nominee. The Sanders campaign agreed to the debate and the Trump campaign was “very intrigued” with the idea.

However, “before the debate could be announced, the Trump campaign pulled out, citing scheduling conflicts, so the network planned to welcome just Mr. Sanders in an hourlong town-hall-style event, hosted by Bret Baier as part of his ‘Special Report’ program.” An invitation was extended to Hillary Clinton shortly afterwards, and the town hall was born.

Trump also pulled out of Fox News’ Republican presidential debate in January, before attending its March debate.

Link: http://www.mediaite.com/tv/fox-news-almost-hosted-a-trumpsanders-debate-but-trump-backed-out/

I'm really sad we were all deprived of the opportunity to watch Bernie deliver a crushing KO to Trump on a conservative network. Probably would have helped his polling numbers enormously (Bernie's, I mean) and brought in some more badly-needed votes.

The article leaves out the part where initially Hillary declined as well but then--when her campaign realized that would mean Bernie would get a full hour to speak to an audience the day before the MI primary--reconsidered, thus reducing his time to 30min and leaving her with the final message.

[TDale313]

1. I would have loved to have seen that.

Even better if it were a debate. Honestly- Bernie'd clean his clock.

[Funtatlaguy]

2. I would have

paid to see that.

[Herman4747]

7. Yeah, me too. And it would have improved Bernie's popularity. n/t

[NowSam]

3. Soon enough I think

We will see this. I believe the Dems will nominate Bernie and the GOP will nominate Trump. Bernie will get 70% of the general election votes and win handily.

[BernieforPres2016]

4. Nobody has ever gotten close to 70% in the general election

The highest percentage ever is the 61.1% LBJ in 1964 against Goldwater. FDR got 60.8% in 1936. Reagan got 58.8% in 1984.

[NowSam]

5. no one ran against Trump b4

and these are the most extraordinary times.

[BernieforPres2016]

8. Take that 70-30 Sanders over Trump proposition to Las Vegas

My guess is that the odds they would give you would allow you to bet $1000 and win enough money to retire on if you are right.

70-30 is absurd unless Trump shows up at the debates in a Klan robe and hood. Trump would win a bunch of deep south and some other red states by at least 55-45, which means Bernie would need to get 75% or so of the vote elsewhere.

[NowSam]

9. Okay, I give up. I was being enthusiastic for my candidate.

Sorry for that.

[BernieforPres2016]

10. I am enthusiastic for Bernie too

But if we don't stay at least somewhat realistic we will end up very disappointed.

Reagan was 3500 votes away in Minnesota from beating Mondale in all 50 states with less than 60% of the national vote. Over 55% of the vote in a national election is a landslide.

[NowSam]

11. Okay then

Bubble burst. Down to Earth. Feet on the ground. Bernie will win. Only prediction.

[BernieforPres2016]

12. I will be ecstatic if Bernie beats Hillary by one delegate

And wins the electoral college 270-268.

[NowSam]

13. So will I.

America needs Bernie. This is one of those moments in History that calls for a champion.

[BernieforPres2016]

14. I agree. I fear we may already be past the point of no return.

I predict we will see serious civil unrest in the next 4 years if we get a status quo President like Hillary or move to the right with a Republican administration. There is basically nothing left for the upper 0.1% to loot. The pitchforks are coming if it is not reversed.

[dana_b]

6. From your lips...

and you know the rest.