# 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:** 5
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2016, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sanders-and-trump-agree-to-a-debate-how-do-you-think-it-will-turn-out/755734/81 "2016-05-27T17:03:00Z")
That’s delusional. She’s not going to give Sanders the VP slot because he does well versus Trump in a debate. I don’t think there’s any way he’s getting that but if he debates Trump at all she’ll want Sanders shot not rewarded for his debate skills. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2016, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sanders-and-trump-agree-to-a-debate-how-do-you-think-it-will-turn-out/755734/82 "2016-05-27T17:13:09Z")
It’s calculated and cynical. But delusional… Why so? He might not accepts. But that’s a different matter. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2016, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sanders-and-trump-agree-to-a-debate-how-do-you-think-it-will-turn-out/755734/83 "2016-05-27T17:14:57Z")
Bernie would crush Trump 200 points to zero. Should be interesting to see if it gets him any closer to Hillary. ---
**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 27, 2016, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sanders-and-trump-agree-to-a-debate-how-do-you-think-it-will-turn-out/755734/84 "2016-05-27T17:18:09Z")
> [@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. Oh, in delivery, of course Paulsen was nothing like Trump. Paulsen was deadpan, Trump is practically epileptic every time he speaks. I was thinking more of Paulsen’s lines, the gist of which were like: “My opponent says I know nothing of foreign policy. My opponent says I know nothing of domestic policy. My opponent says I know nothing of military strategy. My opponent says I know nothing of economics. Picky, picky, picky.” ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2016, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sanders-and-trump-agree-to-a-debate-how-do-you-think-it-will-turn-out/755734/85 "2016-05-27T17:22:54Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > It’s calculated and cynical. But delusional… Why so? > > He might not accepts. But that’s a different matter. Calculated and cynical? It doesn’t make any sense at all. Firstly, Sanders debating Trump would be a huge slap in the face to Hillary. Presidential candidates debate each other, not one candidate vs the runner up. Secondly, candidates generally pivot to the center for the general which selecting Sanders most definitely isn’t. I know there’s a lot of talk about taking Sanders supporters along for the general but there’s only so far she can go without losing the center voters. There’s no point trying to convince the #BernieOrBust crowd, a large portion of which are unreliable voters anyway. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2016, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sanders-and-trump-agree-to-a-debate-how-do-you-think-it-will-turn-out/755734/86 "2016-05-27T17:36:53Z")
> [@CarnalK](#): > > Calculated and cynical? It doesn’t make any sense at all. Firstly, Sanders debating Trump would be a huge slap in the face to Hillary. Somehow, I think she’ll get over it and it might make her a better person/candidate. > [@CarnalK](#): > > Presidential candidates debate each other, not one candidate vs the runner up. ‘We’ve always done it this way’, is not a compelling reason to continue doing things the same way. > [@CarnalK](#): > > Secondly, candidates generally pivot to the center for the general which selecting Sanders most definitely isn’t. I know there’s a lot of talk about taking Sanders supporters along for the general but there’s only so far she can go without losing the center voters. It’s the “Reagan Democrats” (who/what-ever those are) that might be lost. Given the demographics of the electorate, Sanders voters represent a far bigger and more important gain for the future of the democratic party. ---
**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, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sanders-and-trump-agree-to-a-debate-how-do-you-think-it-will-turn-out/755734/87 "2016-05-27T17:37:39Z")
> [@CarnalK](#): > > The super delegates make up 15% of the vote and are not a hive mind. They can’t “hand it” to anyone who doesn’t have substantial backing from the regular delegates. Regular delegates are (mostly) candidate faithful. They will likely vote as their candidate directs them to. Since neither will have more than 50% of the pledged delegates that will leave it up to the superdelegates who, by-and-large, are Clinton supporters (for now at least). ---
**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, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sanders-and-trump-agree-to-a-debate-how-do-you-think-it-will-turn-out/755734/88 "2016-05-27T17:38:24Z")
> [@Whack-a-Mole](#): > > The last thing Clinton wants is viewers. The democratic debate schedule, at the outset, was geared to have the least viewers possible for a mere six scheduled debates. If someone is so inclined, they can look at things like voting records, the candidates websites, the interviews, and a lot of other information. Debates are interesting, but they’re not necessary. When you’re vetoing legislation, you’re not going to stand up next to Paul Ryan and debate the merits of doing so. You just issue the veto. You’re just spewing malarkey because you want Sanders to win – we get it. I don’t need to see anyone debate someone when I’ve already seen them two or three times. What else is going to be said that hasn’t been said? Is this where the real Bernie Sanders comes out and starts going into the gutter, talking about Whitewater and Bengazi? Anyone who cares to actually be informed about politics has more than enough information to make a choice. And seriously, you’re going to seriously use the argument that people who were more interested in watching a college football game should be given a chance to tune in now? ---
**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, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sanders-and-trump-agree-to-a-debate-how-do-you-think-it-will-turn-out/755734/89 "2016-05-27T17:39:09Z")
> [@Happy\_Lendervedder](#): > > Imagine the uproar from Bernie’s camp if Hillary agreed to debate Trump right now. It’d be an uproar all right but it’d be cheering you’d be hearing. I’d LOVE to see that debate before the general! ---
**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, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sanders-and-trump-agree-to-a-debate-how-do-you-think-it-will-turn-out/755734/90 "2016-05-27T17:44:22Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > It’s the “Reagan Democrats” (who/what-ever those are) that might be lost. Given the demographics of the electorate, Sanders voters represent a far bigger and more important gain for the future of the democratic party. And what demographic would that be? White hipster voters who borrow $100,000 in adjustable interest rate loans to get an MA in social work? ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2016, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sanders-and-trump-agree-to-a-debate-how-do-you-think-it-will-turn-out/755734/91 "2016-05-27T17:45:20Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > Somehow, I think she’ll get over it and it might make her a better person/candidate. Oh she’ll get over it but she sure as shit isn’t going to reward him for it. > [@](#): > > ‘We’ve always done it this way’, is not a compelling reason to continue doing things the same way. > > It’s the “Reagan Democrats” (who/what-ever those are) that might be lost. Given the demographics of the electorate, Sanders voters represent a far bigger and more important gain for the future of the democratic party. She’s trying to win this election, not all future elections. Sanders supporters make up less than half the primary voters, the ones who really expect/need a revolution far less. After all her talk of incremental change, it is pretty ludicrous to think she’s going to choose Captain Revolution as a running mate. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2016, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sanders-and-trump-agree-to-a-debate-how-do-you-think-it-will-turn-out/755734/92 "2016-05-27T17:47:15Z")
> [@asahi](#): > > Is this where the real Bernie Sanders comes out and starts going into the gutter, talking about Whitewater and Bengazi? I doubt very much that the debate between Sanders and Trump will turn into a mutual Hillary bashing event. This would serve only Trump. Sanders wants to draw sharp contrast between himself and who is now effectively representing the Republican party. ---
**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, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sanders-and-trump-agree-to-a-debate-how-do-you-think-it-will-turn-out/755734/93 "2016-05-27T17:52:48Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > Bernie would crush Trump 200 points to zero. > > Should be interesting to see if it gets him any closer to Hillary. What would Bernie say that would get Trump crushed? Bernie’s pretty predictable. He’ll blather on about Wall Street, and you know that Bernie won’t touch the Donald’s issue of tax returns, given that Bernie keeps asking for more time to file his own financials. ---
**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, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sanders-and-trump-agree-to-a-debate-how-do-you-think-it-will-turn-out/755734/94 "2016-05-27T17:54:20Z")
Why ascribe any more importance to Bernie by debating again? He’s the runner-up, and he’s done, no matter what his supporters think. Whether Hillary wins in California or not, she’ll cruise across the finish line there. He’s got enough platforms to damage her. There’s no point in giving him another nationally-televised one, and every motivation to ignore him as much as possible. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2016, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sanders-and-trump-agree-to-a-debate-how-do-you-think-it-will-turn-out/755734/95 "2016-05-27T18:04:36Z")
> [@CarnalK](#): > > Oh she’ll get over it but she sure as shit isn’t going to reward him for it. > > She’s trying to win this election, not all future elections. Oh, I completely understand why Hillary doesn’t want the debate to happen. If I were her, I’d feel very much the same way. But this illustrates the fact that this is more about this being her time and not so much about what direction she believes the country should head. I very much doubt she’s got another attempt at becoming president in her. > [@CarnalK](#): > > Sanders supporters make up less than half the primary voters, the ones who really expect/need a revolution far less. After all her talk of incremental change, it is pretty ludicrous to think she’s going to choose Captain Revolution as a running mate. Also agree. She doesn’t want him jacking up her moment in the spotlight. ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2016, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sanders-and-trump-agree-to-a-debate-how-do-you-think-it-will-turn-out/755734/96 "2016-05-27T18:07:32Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > …Anyhoo, I’d be tempted to vote for a Trump/Sanders ticket. Or a Sanders/Trump ticket. I mean, if Trump doesn’t want all the work of being president, wouldn’t that sound better to him? (Full disclosure: I’m honestly thinking of making myself a Clinton/Sanders sign for the front yard…) ---
**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, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sanders-and-trump-agree-to-a-debate-how-do-you-think-it-will-turn-out/755734/97 "2016-05-27T18:08:00Z")
> [@Johnny\_Ace](#): > > Why ascribe any more importance to Bernie by debating again? He’s the runner-up, and he’s done, no matter what his supporters think. Whether Hillary wins in California or not, she’ll cruise across the finish line there. > > He’s got enough platforms to damage her. There’s no point in giving him another nationally-televised one, and every motivation to ignore him as much as possible. Trump knows this, which is why he’s floating the idea. Still curious to see if he follows through. I’ve wondered, too, whether or not Trump is laying a trap for Bernie. Maybe Trump uses this opportunity to talk about Bernie’s wife’s management of Burlington College and make a point about how irresponsible democratic policies are. It would be fairly easy to damage not only Bernie but the entire Democratic brand that way. Bernie Bros would be patting themselves on the back about how they courageously defended free college before a live TV audience and against the GOP nominee no less, but if Trump manages to hack away at Bernie’s vulnerabilities, it would accomplish three things: 1) It would make Bernie look like an incompetent progressive idiot; 2) It would make Clinton look like a coward for not showing up; and 3) it would quite possibly convince more mainstream republicans to get off the sidelines and support Trump after all. Trump, despite winning, is still a desperate candidate. He needs more GOP support. He could use this opportunity to get it. ---
**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, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sanders-and-trump-agree-to-a-debate-how-do-you-think-it-will-turn-out/755734/98 "2016-05-27T18:11:53Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > ‘We’ve always done it this way’, is not a compelling reason to continue doing things the same way. Donald Trump debating the loser of the Democratic primary is nothing more than a Reality TV spectacle. A WWE promo. More evidence that this election is quickly becoming a joke. I’m all for sticking it to the man, but “we’ve always done” somethings a certain way for a reason. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2016, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sanders-and-trump-agree-to-a-debate-how-do-you-think-it-will-turn-out/755734/99 "2016-05-27T18:19:39Z")
> [@Happy\_Lendervedder](#): > > Donald Trump debating the loser of the Democratic primary is nothing more than a Reality TV spectacle. A WWE promo. More evidence that this election is quickly becoming a joke. I’m all for sticking it to the man, but “we’ve always done” somethings a certain way for a reason. Don’t misunderstand. It’s not that I’d like to see this become a three ring circus. I don’t. I simply think that Clinton is a better candidate with Sanders (or Warren, or Biden), than she is with someone safe and nondescript. Alone, Clinton lacks personality and vision. ---
**Author:** ![Damuri\_Ajashi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/898d66/32.png) [@Damuri\_Ajashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Damuri_Ajashi)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2016, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sanders-and-trump-agree-to-a-debate-how-do-you-think-it-will-turn-out/755734/100 "2016-05-27T18:28:26Z")
> [@JohnT](#): > > No real effect. > > Why don’t we just promote the debates they’ve already had? Any voter wants to be informed, they can just go to Youtube or the campaign websites and inform themselves. Because that is not how people consume information. [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=4) [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=6)