Let's get one thing straight - Tapper was AUDITIONING FOR CHUMP TONIGHT!

[bullwinkle428]

Please hear me out on this one!

For those of you who never watched "The Apprentice" on any kind of regular basis (and I'll assume that's nearly everyone here), the climactic scene that fans of the show were on pins and needles for each was the "boardroom scene" where all of the candidates would appear and attempt to plead their case before Mango Unchained.

Chump, clearly with Mark Burnett's hand up his ass, was told that the most entertaining TV would result from maximizing conflict, which Burnett had already determined following several successful seasons of "Survivor". Chump played the role of "King Shit-Stirrer", and he ended starring in a show that got some decent ratings for a while, although never nearly as good as he claimed (sound familiar?).

Tapper was SO OBVIOUSLY trying to create "great television" by maximizing conflict amongst the candidates that it was utterly transparent to those of us familiar with Chump's entertainment history. Don Lemon was absolutely NOT doing this, so I'm not sure if Tapper drew the short straw from Zucker, or it was just egomania run amuck, but it was not a good look for him at all. I'd prefer to see a restraining order keeping him at least 10 miles from all future debates.

[JI7]

1. no, it's about ratings and getting soundbytes they can play over and over again

instead doing real reporting

[JoeOtterbein]

2. Agreed 100% nt

[obnoxiousdrunk]

3. Nah ..

Just going for the ratings .

[Blue_true]

4. He despises Trump and has disliked him from Day 1.

My guess is that he was trying to protect what is left of old republicanism, the Bill Weld, Charlie Baker wing. Baker is particularly appealing to CNN because he is fairly young and is a republican governor of a blue northeastern state.

[UniteFightBack]

5. This is so absurd it's embarrassing. Goodnight. nt

[BannonsLiver]

6. Meh, I think he's just a terrible moderator

His history with Trump is well documented. They hate each other. His problem tonight is he treated the debate like an interview on his show. That doesn’t work in this format.

[Cha]

7. lol.. Well Done, bullwinkle!

[MacDombles]

8. Is it possible to hate Trump..

AND actually rigorously vet and filter through our candidates to find maybe the right one?
I think if we stopped this "anybody but trump" game and focused on vetting these folks to see if they are strong enough to stand in front of Iran and NKs attacks, China's manipulation of our economy, and Russian tactics, then we might actually have a CHANCE. The real issues in this world are way beyond an Troll with a typewriter. His polocies can be reversed. His words only have meaning if you give them power by reacting. Bullies feed on reaction. Starve them.
It seems like we want to handle these candidates with white gloves in order to make sure nobody gets a bruise or two instead of seeing if they can take a punch and get back up. I say ask the hardest questions and make sure we find someone who will lead our country to its fullest potential.

[brooklynite]

9. I heard you out and it was a silly argument

[Drunken Irishman]

10. Tapper isn't a Trump lacky...stop it.

Tapper was likely trying to create a debate moment by...forcing the candidates to actually debate one another.

[Duppers]

11. Or Fox.

He should apply at Faux.