It was a calculated risk, but I don't like it. I don't like it because I think it is swamp-like and he promised to drain the swamp, not act like it.
Donald Trump decided not to participate in the first Republican presidential debate on Wednesday.
Don't get me wrong, I understand his logic. I understand why he skipped it. He stayed out of the debate because he sees it as a no-win situation for him. Trump claims he is leading "by 50 points" over his closest rival, "whoever that might be." He's already called on the other participants to withdraw and unify behind him.
He's dispatched his surrogates to say the same:
But I'm telling you, I personally don't like it. I don't think it's wise to have people like Lake telling us that despite the fact that no votes have been cast in the primary, it's already over, given the fact that she also tells us that after millions of votes were cast in Arizona (2022) and the country (2020), those elections are not over (or shouldn't be). It's inconsistent messaging and smacks of someone trying to pull rank and privilege rather than earn their votes.
If you're the best candidate, get on the stage and make it obvious.
But despite the fact that he taunted Democrats who wouldn't debate, now Trump himself won't. No, I don't think he's scared to debate. I think he's calculating. But consider what he's calculated and square it against his carefully crafted persona. He's calculating that he can run out the clock and get the nomination simply by acting entitled to it. He chooses that over putting himself out there for the people to see and choose. That sounds like the very kind of "swamp" behavior he's so forcefully called out in the past. It sounds like Biden hiding in his basement.
The former president said last week that his record wages the debate for him.
That's not how elections work - or should work - in a republic. If you want my vote, show me that you're the best choice. Earn it. And while I might be inclined to agree with those who say his four years in office did earn my appreciation, there are plenty of legitimate, conservative questions about his record.
Some of that is unfair in my estimation. Some of the criticism Trump takes over Covid, Fauci, and the wall doesn't tell the full story. But there are plenty of Republican voters who believe Trump has much to answer for regarding his "record."
The best, manliest, and most presidential way of responding? Stand up, square up, and show up on the debate stage and give them an answer. Hopefully we'll see that next time.
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