COMMENTARY | The vaunted Donald Trump moderated debate to be sponsored by Newsmax and broadcast on the Ion Network has only two takers, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and former Senator Rick Santorum, according to the Washington Times.
Unless Trump decides to cancel the debate due to lack of Republican interest, the potential for a Lincoln/Douglas style debate between Gingrich and Santorum has been set up. Two experienced politicians on the right can banter for a couple of hours about the issues of the day, speaking in complete paragraphs. It worked rather well for the debate Gingrich had with Herman Cain a few weeks ago.
There is only one fly in the ointment, one monkey in the wrench standing between political junkies and this happy occurrence. That would be The Donald himself, a man very much in love with the sound of his own voice and the weight of his own opinions.
For a Gingrich/Santorum debate to work, Trump would have to simply ask the questions and then sit back and watch the professionals spar in a disinterested fashion. But Trump is very opinionated of a variety of issues, ranging from Middle East oil to trade with China. He would not be able to help himself from jumping into the fray, as if he were an equal of Gingrich and Santorum in the political realm.
This may make for fun television. Trump knows how to pull in ratings, thanks to his successful “Apprentice” reality show. But it may not be as enlightening as just little Gingrich and Santorum have at it. Gingrich has a better than even shot, according to the latest polls, of actually becoming president. Santorum, though down in the polls currently, has actually held public office and, if political fortunes take an unexpected turn, might actually have his own day in the sun.
Donald Trump is entertaining and fun to listen to. But he is not going to be president. Therefore his opinions do not matter as much as those of Gingrich or Santorum. He is important enough that various pols like Sarah Palin and Gingrich himself have felt compelled to kiss his ring, which should be enough for any man. Sadly it may not be for Trump.
Source: GOP hopefuls passing on Trump debate, Seth McLaughlin, The Washington Times, Dec 9, 2011