Donald Trump boycotts Fox News debate: Will it help or hurt him?
The Republican presidential candidates will square off for one last debate Thursday night before next week’s Iowa caucus. Front-runner Donald Trump says he will not be there.
Trump explained the decision Wednesday night on Fox News.
“I don’t think not showing up for the debate tomorrow night is good for America,” said Bill O’Reily, host.
“This is much tougher than doing the debate with Megyn Kelly,” said Trump.
Trump choosing not to participate is viewed by some as a win-win situation.
“This is a win-win because he can say, ‘I didn’t do well in Iowa because I didn’t participate in the debate.’ Or, ‘Look I did great in Iowa despite not participating in the debate,” said Josh Dunn, political science professor at University of Colorado Colorado Springs.
The bold move also means dodging Trump’s closest rival, Sen. Ted Cruz.
“Apparently Mr. Trump considers Megyn Kelly very, very scary. And you know Donald is a fragile soul,” said Cruz.
“I think even his die-hard supporters know the debate is not Trump’s strongest format. He found an excuse to not have to go against Ted Cruz again,” said Daniel Cole, executive director of El Paso County Republicans.
A local supporter disagrees, saying Trump should participate.
“I’m really surprised by that. I think he should do it anyway because what he has to say is more important than whoever is moderating,” said Bonnie Miller.
Trump was vocal on Twitter Wednesday, tweeting here saying, “It was the childishly written and taunting PR statement by Fox that made me not do the debate, more so than lightweight reporter, Megyn Kelly.”
“He knows what the consequences are of putting out a tweet like that are going to be and obviously those are the consequences he wants. The candidates on the debate stage shouldn’t be worrying about what the moderators are going to say. They should be worrying about what the other candidates on stage are going to say.” said Cole.
Will those comments affect voters?
“I think he’s wonderful. I don’t think anything will hurt him in the race. But, that’s just because I love him so much,” said Miller.
“If it’s going to hurt him, it’ll hurt him because people will say, ‘Oh look he was afraid of Megyn Kelly,’ and he’s of course carried on this bravado about he’s a tough guy,” said Dunn.
Now its up to the polls, but soon in the hands of voters.
“It still seems unlikely to me that he’ll be the eventual nominee. However, the longer his poll numbers stay so high, the more likely it becomes,” said Dunn.
Trump say’s instead of attending the Fox News debate, he’s holding an event to raise money for veterans. “Lot of money is going to be raised, a lot of people are going to be there and I can do some good,” said Trump.
