Clinton cannot catch a break this week. Among other problems she had this week this comes after she refused to debate Sanders despite her promise that she would.
Question is what do you think the debate will be like? Mudslinging? Both sounding reasonable? Something else?
My guess is it will be a reasonable debate and not the usual Trump name calling. First, I suspect Sanders by his very nature (cranky old guy) would be good at deflecting Trump name calling and second I suspect Trump feels a need to appear a bit more presidential for the general (he has already softened a bit to that end).
Clinton will probably be the one they collectively throw under the bus. They will disagree with each other, of course, but Clinton will take the most lumps I would think.
Trump won’t lay into Sanders too hard because he wants Sanders to be a drag on Clinton as long as possible. He’ll call him a Socialist, etc, but I don’t expect him to use any personal attacks or belittling nicknames like he does against real opponents.
I expect the two of them to highlight the differences they have with each other, but to be pretty cordial about it. They both want Sanders to look good.
I think a debate between them will help Hillary. From the conservative view, any coziness between Trump and a socialist is going to look bad. It’ll suppress the Republican turn-out. From the progressive view, it’s going to highlight how different (i.e., better) Hillary is compared to Trump. From the centrist view, it’ll look like two publicity hounds trying to get more attention for themselves.
I do not think anything has been formalized. My guess is they’d make that announcement on late night chat shows then take the temperature today and decide whether to go for it. I do not follow conservative blogs/news much but I know there is a lot of excitement to see it from Sanders’ supporters. Clinton supporters do not seem to like it. Those two things should mean a big green light from Sanders I would think.
I also think the debate will open the door Sanders shut on himself regarding Clinton’s email server. That was a strategic mistake that cost Sanders a lot right from the outset. If Trump brings it up (and he almost certainly will) Sanders can talk about it and claim he has “evolved” on the issue.
Hillary really ought to debate Bernie. A debate between Bernie and Trump would only make Hilary look like a coward who doesn’t think she can actually win a debate.
The OP’s first link says “Multiple sources told CBS News Thursday morning, however, that the presumptive nominee was just kidding about debating Sanders – it will never happen, they said.” and the second link is merely a Sanders tweet saying “Game on”. I think it’s safe to say this is not a done deal.
Crotalus got it in one. It ain’t gonna happen…apparently Trump’s people are already saying it was just a joke, which should have been obvious (“How much is he going to pay me?”). And if it *does *happen, it’s going to fall into the category of wrestling a pig, and Hillary is going to come off as the winner just by staying out of it.