The Rising GOP Debate Strategy - Don't Debate

[Mac1958]

Well, this is interesting.

If you want to avoid tough questions about your behaviors and positions in debates, just don't show up to debate. Then say the debate was unfair, as an excuse.

The Republicans have threatened not to debate in the Presidential debates. Now Cawthorn and Walker are doing it. Who's next, do you suppose?

America's electoral process is being destroyed in real time. Right in front of us. A relatively small group of people who want to rip it all down are winning.

Herschel Walker’s no-show looms large over Senate GOP debate

Former football great Herschel Walker skipped the first major Republican U.S. Senate debate, but his absence at the event in Gainesville on Saturday helped shape the back-and-forth among the five candidates who showed up.

www.ajc.com

Republicans May Nuke the 2024 Presidential Debate Process

After Donald Trump whined about “unfair” treatment in 2016 and 2020, the RNC is threatening to pull out of future contests overseen by the nonpartisan Commission on Presidential Debates.

www.vanityfair.com

Update: Fresh off Trump rally, cocaine orgy story, Cawthorn declines April 11 debate

After a turbulent week that included being chastised by party leaders, Rep. Madison Cawthorn will not attend the April 11 debate.

www.citizen-times.com

 

[candycorn]

Well, this is interesting.

If you want to avoid tough questions about your behaviors and positions in debates, just don't show up to debate. Then say the debate was unfair, as an excuse.

The Republicans have threatened not to debate in the Presidential debates. Now Cawthorn and Walker are doing it. Who's next, do you suppose?

America's electoral process is being destroyed in real time. Right in front of us. A relatively small group of people who want to rip it all down are winning.

Herschel Walker’s no-show looms large over Senate GOP debate

Former football great Herschel Walker skipped the first major Republican U.S. Senate debate, but his absence at the event in Gainesville on Saturday helped shape the back-and-forth among the five candidates who showed up.

www.ajc.com

Republicans May Nuke the 2024 Presidential Debate Process

After Donald Trump whined about “unfair” treatment in 2016 and 2020, the RNC is threatening to pull out of future contests overseen by the nonpartisan Commission on Presidential Debates.

www.vanityfair.com

Update: Fresh off Trump rally, cocaine orgy story, Cawthorn declines April 11 debate

After a turbulent week that included being chastised by party leaders, Rep. Madison Cawthorn will not attend the April 11 debate.

www.citizen-times.com

They've lost 7 of the last 8 popular votes. Clearly whatever message they have has become incredibly unpopular.

 

[Mac1958]

They've lost 7 of the last 8 popular votes. Clearly whatever message they have has become incredibly unpopular.

Well, it looks like they're doing a pretty good job of addressing that. In their own way.

 

[gipper]

They've lost 7 of the last 8 popular votes. Clearly whatever message they have has become incredibly unpopular.

And yet, what has the D Party done for the people?

 

[Auld Phart]

They've lost 7 of the last 8 popular votes. Clearly whatever message they have has become incredibly unpopular.

Remind me.

When was winning the popular vote necessary for winning the presidency?

 

[Mac1958]

The GOP knows that losing huge states like CA and NY by landslides is irrelevant. Any vote above what's needed to win, means nothing.

So now they've learned (and you have to give them credit for this) that it's not how many votes you get, it's where and how you get them. Then add a little more control over the electoral/voting process, and the actual "will of the people" doesn't matter.

Who needs to debate now? They've figured this out, and they know they can get away with it.

 

[JoeB131]

The GOP knows that losing huge states like CA and NY by landslides is irrelevant. Any vote above what's needed to win, means nothing.

So now they've learned (and you have to give them credit for this) that it's not how many votes you get, it's where and how you get them. Then add a little more control over the electoral/voting process, and the actual "will of the people" doesn't matter.

Who needs to debate now? They've figured this out, and they know they can get away with it.

And yet you think your creepy third party poster is going to change anything?

 

[candycorn]

Well, it looks like they're doing a pretty good job of addressing that. In their own way.

Back when he had a pinky toe in reality, Lindsay Graham confirmed the obvious...

Republicans Can't Generate Enough Angry White Guys | Washington Monthly

That explains their various attempts to spit in the face of democracy.

washingtonmonthly.com

 

[Mac1958]

Holy crap, there's already more than I thought:

Republican candidates in battleground states skip debates

Over half a dozen Republican candidates in crucial races at the state and federal level have either skipped out or have not committed to any primary debates.

abcnews.go.com

 

[candycorn]

Remind me.

When was winning the popular vote necessary for winning the presidency?

You do know how electoral votes are awarded, right?

 

[candycorn]

Holy crap, there's already more than I thought:

Republican candidates in battleground states skip debates

Over half a dozen Republican candidates in crucial races at the state and federal level have either skipped out or have not committed to any primary debates.

abcnews.go.com

As I recall, the GOP has stated that they will not let their candidate take part in debates held by the CPDs in 2024. Whether or not the candidate will or won't debate is another matter (what will the GOP do 3 weeks before the election...tell people not to vote for him?).

 

[Mac1958]

As I recall, the GOP has stated that they will not let their candidate take part in debates held by the CPDs in 2024. Whether or not the candidate will or won't debate is another matter (what will the GOP do 3 weeks before the election...tell people not to vote for him?).

Well, that's our system, as it's currently constructed.

 

[candycorn]

The GOP knows that losing huge states like CA and NY by landslides is irrelevant. Any vote above what's needed to win, means nothing.

So now they've learned (and you have to give them credit for this) that it's not how many votes you get, it's where and how you get them. Then add a little more control over the electoral/voting process, and the actual "will of the people" doesn't matter.

Who needs to debate now? They've figured this out, and they know they can get away with it.

Well, like anything else, nothing is "needed" until it is. You didn't need to win Georgia if you win Arizona or either of those if you had MI, WI, and PA.... Eventually, they will understand that their lack of popularity is a real issue. I am amused that someone dismisses popularity relative to elections though...it's essentially what elections are all about..how "popular" are you.

 

[occupied]

Ok then. The debate should still be held with a live chicken filling in for the cowards who can't rationalize their bullshit anymore.

 

[Mac1958]

Eventually, they will understand that their lack of popularity is a real issue.

That's my guess, but a great deal of damage can be done between now and then.

The biggest winner right now? Steve Bannon. He wants this whole thing to come down, and he's admitted it.

 

[candycorn]

Well, that's our system, as it's currently constructed.

True. But if you're down by 2% and you're the GOP candidate...are you really going to turn down 4.5 hours of nationwide airtime free of charge? And there is always a chance (a damn good one) that Biden is going to self-destruct. I don't know how many party nominees (R's and D's) get a second run as the nominee so you've really got to strike while the iron is hot.

 

[candycorn]

Ok then. The debate should still be held with a live chicken filling in for the cowards who can't rationalize their bullshit anymore.

I don't think the GOP candidate running from the debate stage hurts a lot nationally. State wide...it seems like a dumb move.

 

[Mac1958]

True. But if you're down by 2% and you're the GOP candidate...are you really going to turn down 4.5 hours of nationwide airtime free of charge? And there is always a chance (a damn good one) that Biden is going to self-destruct. I don't know how many party nominees (R's and D's) get a second run as the nominee so you've really got to strike while the iron is hot.

In Normal World, sure.

But these guys have weighed that, versus having to face the obvious questions, and they've calculated that it's not worth it. I'd agree with that. They know how rabid the orange base is, and they know no other group on either end is that rabid. So...

 

[candycorn]

In Normal World, sure.

But these guys have weighed that, versus having to face the obvious questions, and they've calculated that it's not worth it. I'd agree with that. They know how rabid the orange base is, and they know no other group on either end is that rabid. So...

I'll bet you fifty cents that the CPD has their standard 3 presidential debates and 1 VP debate and both GOP candidates show up for the debates--save some bizarre thing like Covid happening again

 

[occupied]

I don't think the GOP candidate running from the debate stage hurts a lot nationally. State wide...it seems like a dumb move.

It is a dumb move but so is ineffectually trying to explain whatever it is the GOP stands for right now. They have rightly calculated that it is less damaging to their campaign to look like fools than to open their mouths and confirm it.