# Sanders and Trump agree to a debate...how do you think it will turn out? **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [May 26, 2016, 12:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sanders-and-trump-agree-to-a-debate-how-do-you-think-it-will-turn-out/755734 "2016-05-26T12:18:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2016, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sanders-and-trump-agree-to-a-debate-how-do-you-think-it-will-turn-out/755734/41 "2016-05-26T22:20:03Z")
> [@Salvor](#): > > . . . and next to Bernie Trump looks like Calvin Coolidge. Doesn’t matter who he stands next to, no one will ever call him “Silent Donald.” ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Ace](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/6bbea6/32.png) [@Johnny\_Ace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Ace)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2016, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sanders-and-trump-agree-to-a-debate-how-do-you-think-it-will-turn-out/755734/42 "2016-05-26T22:25:06Z")
Trump will always look like a mix of P.T. Barnum and Tammy Fae Baker to me, no matter who he stands next to. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2016, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sanders-and-trump-agree-to-a-debate-how-do-you-think-it-will-turn-out/755734/43 "2016-05-26T22:36:25Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > But, she already has debated Sanders several times. > [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > Oh, you and your facts and stuff. Fie on you I say! Yeah…facts can be such a pain… > [@](#): > > In February, the campaigns of both Clinton and Sen. Bernie Sanders agreed to debate in California before the state’s June 7 primary. > > SOURCE: [http://www.sfgate.com/politics/article/No-presidential-debate-in-California-after-7941052.php](http://www.sfgate.com/politics/article/No-presidential-debate-in-California-after-7941052.php) > [@](#): > > Clinton: “Honestly, I just believe this is the most important job in the world. It’s the toughest job in the world. You should be willing to campaign for every vote. You should be willing to debate anytime, anywhere,” > > SOURCE: [Unprecedented Trump-Bernie Bout Would Be Tremendous For Every Candidate Left (But One)](http://www.mediaite.com/online/unprecedented-trump-bernie-bout-would-be-tremendous-for-every-candidate-left-but-one/) How many debates did she have in 2008? [26](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democratic_Party_presidential_debates_and_forums,_2008). How many in 2016? [Nine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democratic_Party_presidential_debates_and_forums,_2016#Forums) (would be 10 if she agreed to California debate). Remember there were even less and she agreed to more when she needed a bump and she is now reneging on that promise because she’s comfortably ahead. And of course the [scheduling of this cycle’s debates were aligned to not get a lot of viewers.](https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2015/12/19/how-democrats-saturday-debates-are-very-friendly-to-hillary-clinton/) People will point out it is not in her interest to debate and I agree. I was brought up that keeping your promises when they were not convenient is what really counts and this simply highlights that you cannot trust Clinton to do what she said she would do. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2016, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sanders-and-trump-agree-to-a-debate-how-do-you-think-it-will-turn-out/755734/44 "2016-05-26T22:56:51Z")
> [@dalej42](#): > > This is basically Bernie’s Make a Wish foundation present. He gets to pretend like he’s the nominee of a major political party . Usually it’s a trip to Disney World. That’s a lot cheaper, too. > [@](#): > > If it happens, I hope Trump lays into Bernie, but it will more likely be Clinton bashing from both sides. “So, Bernie, you’re really not sick and tired of hearing about her damn e-mails? What changed for you?” > [@Damuri\_Ajashi](#): > > Hillary really ought to debate Bernie. What, again? Do you think there’s something new to say? A debate between > [@](#): > > Bernie and Trump would only make Hilary look like a coward who doesn’t think she can actually win a debate. Wrong. It would make her look like she isn’t sure she’s the nominee yet. To most people, anyway; we know what \*you \*think of her and why, and no cover story is needed. ---
**Author:** ![Leo\_Krupe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ebca7d/32.png) [@Leo\_Krupe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Krupe)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2016, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sanders-and-trump-agree-to-a-debate-how-do-you-think-it-will-turn-out/755734/45 "2016-05-26T23:00:20Z")
> [@Johnny\_Ace](#): > > Trump will always look like a mix of P.T. Barnum and Tammy Fae Baker to me, no matter who he stands next to. With a healthy dose of Andy Kaufman and Pat Paulsen. ---
**Author:** ![boytyperanma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4491bb/32.png) [@boytyperanma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boytyperanma)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2016, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sanders-and-trump-agree-to-a-debate-how-do-you-think-it-will-turn-out/755734/46 "2016-05-26T23:05:22Z")
> [@Whack-a-Mole](#): > > People will point out it is not in her interest to debate and I agree. I was brought up that keeping your promises when they were not convenient is what really counts and this simply highlights that you cannot trust Clinton to do what she said she would do. Do you have a source with Clinton promising to have a debate before the CA primary? As far as I know she only promised to have 4 more debates. She could agree to a debate after the 7th and still meet her obligation. The people of DC deserve a debate! I don’t expect she’ll keep her promise, she has the nomination locked up and doesn’t want Bernie to get any more attention nor would giving FOX News a debate help her in any meaningful way. Add it to the list of broken promises when the time comes. ---
**Author:** ![Trinopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2016, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sanders-and-trump-agree-to-a-debate-how-do-you-think-it-will-turn-out/755734/47 "2016-05-26T23:56:24Z")
> [@Leo\_Krupe](#): > > With a healthy dose of Andy Kaufman and Pat Paulsen. Ah, I miss the Pat Paulsen candidacy. I’d say he was nothing like Trump: Paulsen was soft-spoken and smooth, almost suave except for the clumsiness. I’d have happily voted for him over Nixon…and over Trump. At least Paulsen had, at some point in his life, actually read the U.S. Constitution. Trump obviously never has. ---
**Author:** ![Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e47c2d/32.png) [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biffy_the_Elephant_Shrew)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2016, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sanders-and-trump-agree-to-a-debate-how-do-you-think-it-will-turn-out/755734/48 "2016-05-27T00:01:09Z")
> [@Trinopus](#): > > Ah, I miss the Pat Paulsen candidacy. “I’ve upped my standards. Now up yours.” ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2016, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sanders-and-trump-agree-to-a-debate-how-do-you-think-it-will-turn-out/755734/49 "2016-05-27T00:33:32Z")
> [@boytyperanma](#): > > Do you have a source with Clinton promising to have a debate before the CA primary? As far as I know she only promised to have 4 more debates. She could agree to a debate after the 7th and still meet her obligation. The people of DC deserve a debate! Yes. I linked to it in my previous post: > [@](#): > > In February, the campaigns of both Clinton and Sen. Bernie Sanders agreed to debate in California before the state’s June 7 primary. > > SOURCE: [http://www.sfgate.com/politics/article/No-presidential-debate-in-California-after-7941052.php](http://www.sfgate.com/politics/article/No-presidential-debate-in-California-after-7941052.php) ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2016, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sanders-and-trump-agree-to-a-debate-how-do-you-think-it-will-turn-out/755734/50 "2016-05-27T00:41:00Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > “So, Bernie, you’re really not sick and tired of hearing about her damn e-mails? What changed for you?” Maybe Bernie will learn how to “evolve” on an issue. ---
**Author:** ![boytyperanma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4491bb/32.png) [@boytyperanma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boytyperanma)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2016, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sanders-and-trump-agree-to-a-debate-how-do-you-think-it-will-turn-out/755734/51 "2016-05-27T00:44:30Z")
> [@Whack-a-Mole](#): > > Yes. I linked to it in my previous post: I’m looking for a statement for Clinton or her campaign saying as much. Your article does not include a source for thier claim. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Ace](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/6bbea6/32.png) [@Johnny\_Ace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Ace)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2016, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sanders-and-trump-agree-to-a-debate-how-do-you-think-it-will-turn-out/755734/52 "2016-05-27T02:06:36Z")
> [@Trinopus](#): > > Ah, I miss the Pat Paulsen candidacy. I’d say he was nothing like Trump: Paulsen was soft-spoken and smooth, almost suave except for the clumsiness. I’d have happily voted for him over Nixon…and over Trump. At least Paulsen had, at some point in his life, actually read the U.S. Constitution. Trump obviously never has. I’d’ve voted for Pat if I was old enough at the time. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2016, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sanders-and-trump-agree-to-a-debate-how-do-you-think-it-will-turn-out/755734/53 "2016-05-27T02:39:29Z")
I love Bernie, love his beliefs and politics, but dude needs to start backing away from the stage. He’s not going to get the nomination, he has his picks on the party’s platform committee, he’s going to have a voice at the convention, he’s brought energy to the progressive movement, but he’s quickly turning into Ralph Nader. ---
**Author:** ![bengangmo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/50afbb/32.png) [@bengangmo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bengangmo)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2016, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sanders-and-trump-agree-to-a-debate-how-do-you-think-it-will-turn-out/755734/54 "2016-05-27T03:10:03Z")
I don’t see upside for either. Donald just looks less presidential and more like the reality show president. Bernice just looks like a sabeteur. But my god…It would be funny to see. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2016, 10:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sanders-and-trump-agree-to-a-debate-how-do-you-think-it-will-turn-out/755734/55 "2016-05-27T10:41:08Z")
The SNL season is already over. NBC will have to do a special if we want to see Larry Sanders and Darrell Hammond go after it. It might be indistinguishable from the real thing. I seem to recall Pat Paulsen telling us “I’m not left-wing or right-wing. I’m the middle of the bird.” ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2016, 11:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sanders-and-trump-agree-to-a-debate-how-do-you-think-it-will-turn-out/755734/56 "2016-05-27T11:05:24Z")
> [@boytyperanma](#): > > I’m looking for a statement for Clinton or her campaign saying as much. Your article does not include a source for thier claim. None do. The campaigns do not stand on a podium and announce these things. Rather they release the information through the media. This bit was widely reported: > [@](#): > > Clinton and Sanders, however, agreed in February to add four more debates to the calendar, including a debate in May. So far, the two candidates have had three of the four debates the agreed to, the last being in New York on CNN. > > SOURCE: [http://www.cnn.com/2016/05/23/politics/hillary-clinton-bernie-sanders-fox-debate-california/](http://www.cnn.com/2016/05/23/politics/hillary-clinton-bernie-sanders-fox-debate-california/) > [@](#): > > Bernie Sanders Blasts Hillary Clinton’s Refusal to Debate as ‘Insulting’ to Voters > > “Our campaign and her campaign had reached an agreement on a number of debates including one here in California in May,” Sanders said during a rally in Santa Monica, California, Monday evening. > > SOURCE: [Bernie Sanders Blasts Hillary Clinton's Refusal to Debate as 'Insulting' to Voters - ABC News](http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/bernie-sanders-blasts-hillary-clintons-refusal-debate-insulting/story?id=39326456) > [@](#): > > Meanwhile, Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders’ campaigns have agreed in principle to attend four more debates, starting with the proposed New Hampshire event next week, a Clinton campaign aide confirmed Saturday — but an exchange of statements on Saturday called the Feb. 4 date into question. > > SOURCE: [http://www.politico.com/story/2016/01/clinton-and-sanders-four-more-debates-218448](http://www.politico.com/story/2016/01/clinton-and-sanders-four-more-debates-218448) > [@](#): > > White House contenders Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders have agreed to four more debates, beginning with a Thursday night showdown in New Hampshire, the Democratic National Committee confirmed to The Hill. > > After Thursday’s debate, the campaigns will next square off in Flint, Mich., the city facing a public health crisis due to contaminated water, in March. The DNC adds that there will be two other debates, one in April and one in May, but did not specify the locations. > > SOURCE: [http://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/presidential-races/268079-clinton-sanders-agree-to-four-more-debates](http://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/presidential-races/268079-clinton-sanders-agree-to-four-more-debates) > [@](#): > > Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders’ campaigns have agreed in principle to six more Democratic presidential debates following the Iowa caucuses on Feb. 1, though the deal has not been finalized, according to campaign and party officials. > > Currently, the Democratic National Committee has only two more sanctioned debates: Feb. 11 in Milwaukee, Wis., sponsored by PBS NewsHour and March 9 in Miami, Fla., sponsored by Univision. > > The campaigns are working on an agreement for four additional debates beyond those. A DNC official says talks are ongoing for more debates, and they are waiting for agreement from the campaigns. > > SOURCE: [Clinton And Sanders Agree To More Debates, Argue Over Details : NPR](http://www.npr.org/2016/01/30/464996074/clinton-and-sanders-agree-to-more-debates-argue-over-details) ---
**Author:** ![asahi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asahi/32/8693_2.png) [@asahi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asahi)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2016, 11:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sanders-and-trump-agree-to-a-debate-how-do-you-think-it-will-turn-out/755734/57 "2016-05-27T11:19:40Z")
> [@Bridget\_Burke](#): > > Bernie’s already been on a debate stage with Hilary. She’s saving her energy for the debates that matter–with the other nominee. Oh but this does matter. The Bernheads ain’t goin away, not unless they get smacked around in California, and that is looking less likely now. Bernie might actually win that state, which would be something that Democrats would have to chew on for a good 6-8 weeks before the convention. California is an almost ‘lock’ for any Democrat, but that would be a significant for Bernie, as it would show that he can win in highly diverse states, which is something he hasn’t really been able to prove to this point. Clinton’s big, big, big mistake was in trying to pretend like Bernie Sanders didn’t exist. I can’t for the life of me understand how her campaign team didn’t see this coming. Ignoring Bernie, hoping he goes away, has been a terrible strategy. Relying on math and rules would work in other eras, but it doesn’t work during a time when there’s such a strong anti-establishment sentiment. There are a lot of free agent voters out there who haven’t time for delegate math nonsense. They want passion and rage, and Clinton isn’t delivering the goods. I also think that the State Department rebuke of Clinton, regardless of whatever happens with the FBI investigation, is going to be hard for Hillary to shake off. Donald Trump is laying into her as the corrupt candidate. Yes, Donald’s a blowhard and almost surely incompetent – people apparently don’t care. They apparently do care that Hillary has the appearance of impropriety. Donald Trump is rubber, Hillary Clinton is glue. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2016, 12:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sanders-and-trump-agree-to-a-debate-how-do-you-think-it-will-turn-out/755734/58 "2016-05-27T12:16:02Z")
At this point it may be more appropriate to have a Sanders-Cruz debate. ---
**Author:** ![rbroome](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/838e76/32.png) [@rbroome](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rbroome)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2016, 12:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sanders-and-trump-agree-to-a-debate-how-do-you-think-it-will-turn-out/755734/59 "2016-05-27T12:50:03Z")
After Sanders debates Trump the next week will be filled with Gov. Christie explaining who will go where in the next administration. The election will be over. During the “debate” Trump will spend the entire time complimenting and encouraging the Honorable Senator Sanders and agreeing with his criticisms of the party elites in Washington. He will respectfully say that he looks forward to working with Senator Sanders and the rest of the Democrats in the Senate to reach sound compromises for the good of the entire country. By the end of the debate Trump will have ⅓ of the Sanders supporters willing to vote for Trump if Sanders isn’t the democratic nominee. After the debate Trump will turn over the public mike to Christie (remember Trump has assigned Christie to handle the transition) who will lay out the terms for anyone wanting to be part of the next administration. Lobbyists and career politicians will fall over themselves jumping on the bandwagon. Who better to hand out favors and cut deals than the Governor of New Jersey? Trump will be busy after the debate going around to various conservative groups directly contradicting everything he said in the debate. Trump does this all the time and pays no price for it. He will re-assure Republicans that he was just busy winning the election during the debate and he will make sure the Republicans are taken care of in Washington after the election. Of course Sanders won’t be the Democratic nominee. Clinton will denounce them both, win the nomination with the super delegates and fade into irrelevance. With solid Republican support and a lot of Sanders supporters who are honest believers and who can’t fathom a two-faced man like Trump-Trump will win. Trump knows he doesn’t need a landslide, 50%+1 of the EC is all it takes. That will be easy once he captures a portion of the Sanders voters who will be disappointed after the democratic convention. Democratic party loyalists will blame the email scandal and Sanders will return to the senate and wait by the phone for calls from the President that will never come. This debate will destroy any chance the Democrats have of stopping Trump and it will be a historic mistake by a dedicated Democrat that brings this about. Two days ago I had hope for this country. ---
**Author:** ![asahi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asahi/32/8693_2.png) [@asahi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asahi)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2016, 1:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sanders-and-trump-agree-to-a-debate-how-do-you-think-it-will-turn-out/755734/60 "2016-05-27T13:18:15Z")
Trump’s condition that there’s money in it gives me some degree of skepticism that this ever takes place. But if it takes place, it would probably be the end of Hillary Clinton’s chances, and effectively the end of the Democratic party’s chances at unifying progressives under one umbrella. And in effect, either handing a victory to Trump, or if Democrats disintegrate into two parties, maybe the election turns into a three-way free for all – or even a four-way tug of war if this somehow convinces Ted Cruz that he’s got a shot at winning this thing after all. He wouldn’t of course – falling short in a 3 or 4 way race would send the election to the House, where Paul Ryan would lead a movement to bring in President Mitt Romney. Either way, the debate (circus) would be the beginning of the end for progressives. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sanders-and-trump-agree-to-a-debate-how-do-you-think-it-will-turn-out/755734.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sanders-and-trump-agree-to-a-debate-how-do-you-think-it-will-turn-out/755734.md?page=4)