Earlier this evening, CNNs Don Lemon interviewed Donald Trump about the debate on Fox News Channel last night, and set off another Trump-related tempest. After noting that Kelly pushed Trump during the debate, and that she pushed a lot of people besides Trump, Lemon asked, What is it with you and Megyn Kelly? Trumps reply was, er colorful, to say the least [emphasis mine]:
TRUMP: Well, I just dont respect her as a journalist, I have no respect for her. I dont think shes very good, I think shes highly overrated. But when I came out there, you know what am I doing? Im not getting paid for this. I go out there, and they start saying this stuff [garbled]. But you know, I didnt know thered be 24 million people. I knew it was going to be a big crowd because I get crowds, I get ratings. They call me the ratings machine. So I have, you know, she gets out and she starts asking me all sorts of ridiculous questions, and you could see there was blood coming out of her eyes, blood coming out of her wherever. But in my opinion, she was off base.
Kelly did ask Trump tough questions in last nights debate, but she asked tough questions of Marco Rubio on abortion too, and of other candidates on stage as well. As the front-runner, Trump should have expected tough questions, especially given his track record of supporting nearly every progressive idea at one time or another, including Hillary Clinton being President. Kelly also asked Trump about his remarks about women, which appears to have particularly rankled him and pushed him into validating Kellys premise in asking those questions in the first place. After all, its not often when a major party candidate takes a shot at a woman by reminding everyone of her menstrual cycle. Im certain that will really impress women about their place in the Republican Party.
Trump was scheduled to speak at the Red State Gathering tomorrow, in the final slot at the event. Not long after these remarks, event organizer Erick Erickson announced that he had withdrawn the invitation:
I have rescinded my invitation to Mr.Trump. While I have tried to give him great latitude, his remark about Megyn Kelly was a bridge too far
That will undoubtedly anger some Trump supporters, but after last nights debate performance and his thin-skinned whining afterward, I wonder if that group wasnt already in decline. This might fire up the die-hard Trump troops, but suggesting that a journalist went after his target-rich record only because she was menstruating should be a disqualifier for most voters. Its vastly worse than anything Todd Akin said, and will almost certainly have media outlets demanding responses from the other Republican candidates. Its practically tailor-made for Democrats to hoist up the Republican War On Women banner, especially Hillary Clinton.
Get ready for plenty of Team Trump dog-in-the-manger, sour-grapes quotes in the morning, if not overnight. There may be some legitimate anger among a small group of RSG15 attendees tomorrow who wanted to see Trump at this event, but Erick has a solid case for not wanting to have this overshadow the event tomorrow, with more presidential candidates on hand to make their pitches. Erick will almost certainly address this in the morning, and well see what the fallout is over the rest of the day.
Update: Carly Fiorina appears to be the first Republican candidate to respond to Trumps remarks, perhaps fittingly so (via Twitchy):
Thats interesting, because Fiorina actually deflected a Trump question at her presser today at RSG15 by asking why the media wasnt calling out Obama for his offensive comments about opponents of the Iran deal. Not this time, apparently.
But I also think that while Mr. Trump resonates with a lot of people with his bluntness, including me to a degree, there are just real lines of decency a person running for President should not trust.
His comment was inappropriate. It is unfortunate to have to disinvite him. But I just dont want someone on stage who gets a hostile question from a lady and his first inclination is to imply it was hormonal. It just was wrong.
I have invited Megyn Kelly to attend in Donald Trumps place tomorrow night.
Well, that would be interesting. Well see if she can swing that.
By a conservative estimate, he has a shitload of money.
Yeah but he isn't building a real campaign organization.
Trump appears to be just as stingy about spending his cash as Perot was. Some experts think that if Perot had made an effort with another $50-$100 million, he would have won the presidency.
Below we break down what Trump says he is worth v. what we at Forbes estimate he is truly worth. The major difference: his brand. Trump claims that his brand and brand-related deals are worth some $3.3 billion. We value his brand at just $125 million; we give him another $128 million in management fees for Trump-branded hotels. Another major discrepancy is golf courses: Trump has been advocating for a valuation for his chain of American golf courses as high as $800 million. Independent valuation experts tell us our figure of $200 million is much closer to the mark. The other difference is properties under development. Trump claims nearly $300 million here; we dont give properties full build-out value until theyre actually fully built and running.
I doubt he can (or will be willing to) try to outspend the Adelsons, the Kochs, the Marriotts and all the other tycoons that will be funding the GOP race. The more Trump poses a threat, the more quickly they unite, most likely behind Bush.
By a conservative estimate, he has a shitload of money.
Very true.
Why is democracy held in such high esteem when it’s the enemy of the minority and makes all rights relative to the dictates of the majority? (Ron Paul,2012)
It is human nature to have a taste for viewing the unusual or the outlandish.
Once/if he even gets backed into a corner and has to talk about the nuts and bolts of policy decisions,he's done.
Notice how he was saying on teebee that he wasn't referring to that reporter babe having a period because his mind was on "nuclears".
Un,huh. All hat,no cattle.
The instant things start looking bad for him he is going to take a dive and bail out. He will probably say he quit because he didn't want his name associated with the losers he was having to share a stage with.
Why is democracy held in such high esteem when it’s the enemy of the minority and makes all rights relative to the dictates of the majority? (Ron Paul,2012)
Some experts, so called, thought Trump's campaign would crater after he said becoming a POW was not heroic.
It should have.
Draft dodgers have no standing to comment on anyone else's courage or lack of it.
Why is democracy held in such high esteem when it’s the enemy of the minority and makes all rights relative to the dictates of the majority? (Ron Paul,2012)
buckeroo: Polls don't mean "diddly-squat" in this country, chan.
nolu chan: The candidates really must explain that to the prospective donors.
Yeah, about 60 BILLIONAIRES in the USA and the leadership in Israel to donate millions to their selected candidate. As for the average American, they could care less other than gossip on a chit-chat Internet channel or rumours at the company water cooler to while the way the boredrum of office work.
Maybe Trump will Ivanka his daughter campaign some. Can't hurt:)
"When Americans reach out for values of faith, family, and caring for the needy, they're saying, "We want the word of God. We want to face the future with the Bible.'"---Ronald Reagan
I doubt he can (or will be willing to) try to outspend the Adelsons, the Kochs, the Marriotts and all the other tycoons that will be funding the GOP race.
Gee, how much money will it cost to sell another Bush? Maybe they could just run Mitch McConnell and John Boehner on a conservative leadership ticket.
It shouldn't and it didn't. Being caught does not make one a hero. The GOPe hit machine are just a bunch of slimy paid mouthpieces. McCain started the exchange.
Yeah, about 60 BILLIONAIRES in the USA and the leadership in Israel to donate millions to their selected candidate.
Well, they are not seeking out the guy at the bottom of all the polls. It's not so much a donation as it is an investment. They want return on investment.
All the money Jeb has will not help him with love, amnesty and open borders.
Here is what Ted Cruz said to Politico. It also describes you. You're having a negative effect on the Republican party. Maybe nont intentionally but you are helping Hillary. Stop and think about the following and quit being so dumb.
Cruzs remarks, which came during an interview with POLITICO as he swings through the South on a bus tour, are among the most detailed comments to date regarding his reluctance to criticize the real estate mogul, who is currently leading the polls in the GOP primary.
I would note that an awful lot of Republicans, including other Republican candidates, have gone out of their way to smack Donald Trump with a stick. Now I think thats just foolish, he said.
Asked why, Cruz paused and then replied, Donald Trump had a rally in Phoenix, Ariz. [to which] between 10 and 20 thousand people came out. When you attack and vilify the people at that rally as crazies, it does nothing to help Republicans win in 2016. Id like every single person at that rally to show up and vote in 2016, knock on doors with energy and passion, and turn this country around. If Washington politicians show contempt and condescension to those [voters,] that is a path to losing at the ballot box.
Donald Trump had a rally in Phoenix, Ariz. [to which] between 10 and 20 thousand people came out. When you attack and vilify the people at that rally as crazies, it does nothing to help Republicans win in 2016. Id like every single person at that rally to show up and vote in 2016, knock on doors with energy and passion, and turn this country around. If Washington politicians show contempt and condescension to those [voters,] that is a path to losing at the ballot box.
Gee, how much money will it cost to sell another Bush?
Is that sarcasm I detect? I'd say the Bush machine will be ready to spend at least $1.5 billion, maybe $2 billion.
I certainly dislike the Bushes as much as anyone. But I was talking about the race strictly in money terms. Quite often, it does come down to who has raised the most money and can hold on the longest (along with support from the elected GOP party leaders).
Can Trump outspend the other tycoons alone? Will Carl Icahn, being promised SoT, decide to donate big to a Trump super-PAC?
Sometimes the nomination fight does just come down to who has the most money to throw around or to be able to wait for the other guys to run out of money.
I would note that an awful lot of Republicans, including other Republican candidates, have gone out of their way to smack Donald Trump with a stick. Now I think thats just foolish, he said.
Asked why, Cruz paused and then replied, Donald Trump had a rally in Phoenix, Ariz. [to which] between 10 and 20 thousand people came out. When you attack and vilify the people at that rally as crazies, it does nothing to help Republicans win in 2016. Id like every single person at that rally to show up and vote in 2016, knock on doors with energy and passion, and turn this country around. If Washington politicians show contempt and condescension to those [voters,] that is a path to losing at the ballot box.
He's talking about McStain, his own longtime enemy. Notice how he deftly ignores Trump's attack on McStain's military record as a POW and deflects that into his own attack on McStain's crass remarks about those "crazies" (his own constituents) that turned out to see Trump in AZ.
So I don't see how Cruz is being stupid. Of course, it goes without saying that I am being stupid by definition, since I don't share your man-crush on Trump.
Cruz, interestingly, is making the plans and seems to have adequate financing for a 35-state campaign. Cruz wants to go the distance and make it a real challenge, setting the stage for a 2020 run if he can't win in 2016. This kind of campaign also will help Cruz build up Tea candidates for House/Senate as the Chamber does want to go after all the Tea folk in Congress. Including Cruz in 2018. So for Cruz, a good offense is the best defense.
have also gotten into arguments with people who REMEMBER Nixon going to prison for breaking into the Watergate complex, and they also remember him starting the VN war.
Let me see which pig "DON'T" I want to vote for, the one with or without lipstick??" Hmmmmm...
It shouldn't and it didn't. Being caught does not make one a hero.
You are full of crap on this one. Anyone that purposely exposes themselves to enemy fire over and over qualifies as a hero.
Have much 12.7mm,20mm,and 37mm anti-aircraft fire have YOU exposed yourself to,not to mention SAM missiles?
If the correct number is "Zero",you have no standing to judge his courage,and that goes double if you were a draft-dodger like Trump.
Why is democracy held in such high esteem when it’s the enemy of the minority and makes all rights relative to the dictates of the majority? (Ron Paul,2012)
Draft dodgers have no standing to comment on anyone else's courage or lack of it.
The draft violates the 13th amendment.
Were you a draft-dodger too?
Why is democracy held in such high esteem when it’s the enemy of the minority and makes all rights relative to the dictates of the majority? (Ron Paul,2012)
I have talked with people that admitted to voting for Boy Jorge because they thought they were voting for his father,which is another mystery.
How old are these people??
They were probably in their 40's or older at the time.
Why is democracy held in such high esteem when it’s the enemy of the minority and makes all rights relative to the dictates of the majority? (Ron Paul,2012)
The 13th amendment talks about involuntary servitude. If you take the words to mean what they say without lawyer spin it forbids it. Right or wrong that is what the text of the 13th amendment says.
Anyone that purposely exposes themselves to enemy fire over and over qualifies as a hero.
Much of the Army and Marines do that. That does not make them all heroes. What trump said was that getting captured did not make McCain a hero. The families of other POWs have evisceral hate for him.
Have much 12.7mm,20mm,and 37mm anti-aircraft fire have YOU exposed yourself to,not to mention SAM missiles?
I was in the Navy. Except for those such as SEALs, the Navy does not see much firepower that small. Everybody on a ship is exposed, along with the ship. If it goes down, it's a long swim, if you can get in the water and get away from it in time.
That does not make the everyone on a ship a hero. I'm pretty sure there are more casualties on the flight deck of a carrier than among the pilots who fly off the carrier.
I guess that lets you off the hook be default,doesn't it?
he 13th amendment talks about involuntary servitude. If you take the words to mean what they say without lawyer spin it forbids it.
Anyone that isn't willing to fight for their country if called up doesn't deserve to have a country.
Why is democracy held in such high esteem when it’s the enemy of the minority and makes all rights relative to the dictates of the majority? (Ron Paul,2012)
You are full of crap on this one. Anyone that purposely exposes themselves to enemy fire over and over qualifies as a hero.
Nope. That is PC. Everyone gets a trophy thinking.
A hero is someone like the charachter Rambo when he was in Viet Nam.
Your ignorance is stunning.
Do you get all your knowledge from your teebee and movies?
Why is democracy held in such high esteem when it’s the enemy of the minority and makes all rights relative to the dictates of the majority? (Ron Paul,2012)
Much of the Army and Marines do that. That does not make them all heroes.
Of course it does.
What trump said was that getting captured did not make McCain a hero.
No,that is the spin you Trump Turnips are trying to put on it. He CLEARLY stated that McLunatic wasn't a hero because he was a POW,and that the people he considered to be the heroes were the ones that weren't captured.
Which I guess qualifies Trump and all the other draft-dodgers are heroes because none of them were ever captured,were they?
Why is democracy held in such high esteem when it’s the enemy of the minority and makes all rights relative to the dictates of the majority? (Ron Paul,2012)