archangel689
12-07-2011, 12:34 AM
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/07/us/politics/romney-tells-trump-he-cant-make-debate.html
“I spoke with Donald Trump earlier today and indicated that we just can’t make this debate,” Mr. Romney said on “Your World With Neil Cavuto” on Fox News. He cited his commitment to two other debates in December, one on Saturday on ABC and the other next week on Fox News.
Mr. Romney, a former Massachusetts governor, joined Jon M. Huntsman Jr. and Representative Ron Paul of Texas in declining to participate. So far, only Newt Gingrich and Rick Santorum have said they will appear at the debate, which is being hosted by Newsmax, the conservative magazine and Web site, and will be broadcast on Ion Television on Dec. 27.
Gov. Rick Perry of Texas has not yet said if he will participate. And Representative Michele Bachmann of Minnesota is also undecided.
The debate, while promising to be one of the more sensational events of this already wild primary season, has drawn withering condemnation from many establishment Republicans who consider Mr. Trump a self-promoter who has no interest in helping their party. Karl Rove and others have urged the candidates to boycott the debate.
In a statement, Mr. Trump said: “It would seem logical to me that if I was substantially behind in the polls, especially in Iowa, South Carolina and Florida, I would want to participate in this debate.” He added, “But I understand why Governor Romney decided not to do it.”
Mr. Romney did agree to sit for a Dec. 18 interview with Chris Wallace on “Fox News Sunday,” in what will be his first Sunday morning interview in nearly two years.
Mr. Wallace, who has earned a reputation for taking a hard line with interview subjects of both parties, has been relentless in calling upon Mr. Romney to appear on his program or, for that matter, on any Sunday program.
“I spoke with Donald Trump earlier today and indicated that we just can’t make this debate,” Mr. Romney said on “Your World With Neil Cavuto” on Fox News. He cited his commitment to two other debates in December, one on Saturday on ABC and the other next week on Fox News.
Mr. Romney, a former Massachusetts governor, joined Jon M. Huntsman Jr. and Representative Ron Paul of Texas in declining to participate. So far, only Newt Gingrich and Rick Santorum have said they will appear at the debate, which is being hosted by Newsmax, the conservative magazine and Web site, and will be broadcast on Ion Television on Dec. 27.
Gov. Rick Perry of Texas has not yet said if he will participate. And Representative Michele Bachmann of Minnesota is also undecided.
The debate, while promising to be one of the more sensational events of this already wild primary season, has drawn withering condemnation from many establishment Republicans who consider Mr. Trump a self-promoter who has no interest in helping their party. Karl Rove and others have urged the candidates to boycott the debate.
In a statement, Mr. Trump said: “It would seem logical to me that if I was substantially behind in the polls, especially in Iowa, South Carolina and Florida, I would want to participate in this debate.” He added, “But I understand why Governor Romney decided not to do it.”
Mr. Romney did agree to sit for a Dec. 18 interview with Chris Wallace on “Fox News Sunday,” in what will be his first Sunday morning interview in nearly two years.
Mr. Wallace, who has earned a reputation for taking a hard line with interview subjects of both parties, has been relentless in calling upon Mr. Romney to appear on his program or, for that matter, on any Sunday program.