David Sadler
08-07-2015, 11:55 AM
http://www.david-sadler.org/image/share/trump_will_not_rule_out_3rd_party_crop.JPG
This was a master stroke by Trump. FOX News debate moderator Baier, thought he would shut down Trump's threat to run as third party, but Trump refused to take the pledge and showed the courage it takes to stand by principle when he was the only one to raise his hand -- defying Baier and the establishment on live national TV with all the other candidates looking on.
http://chicago.suntimes.com/news/7/71/859457/fox-news-underdog-gop-debate-transcript
Transcript: Fox News GOP Debate in Cleveland August 6, 2015 (http://chicago.suntimes.com/news/7/71/859457/fox-news-underdog-gop-debate-transcript)
written by Lynn Sweet
Chicago Sun Times
posted: 08/06/2015, 11:41pm
BAIER: Gentlemen, we know how much you love hand-raising questions. So we promise, this is the only one tonight: the only one. Is there anyone on stage, and can I see hands, who is unwilling tonight to pledge your support to the eventual nominee of the Republican party and pledge to not run an independent campaign against that person.
Again, we’re looking for you to raise your hand now — raise your hand now if you won’t make that pledge tonight.
Mr. Trump.
(BOOING)
Mr. Trump to be clear, you’re standing on a Republican primary debate stage.
TRUMP: I fully understand.
BAIER: The place where the RNC will give the nominee the nod.
TRUMP: I fully understand.
BAIER: And that experts say an independent run would almost certainly hand the race over to Democrats and likely another Clinton.
You can’t say tonight that you can make that pledge?
TRUMP: I cannot say. I have to respect the person that, if it’s not me, the person that wins, if I do win, and I’m leading by quite a bit, that’s what I want to do. I can totally make that pledge. If I’m the nominee, I will pledge I will not run as an independent. But — and I am discussing it with everybody, but I’m, you know, talking about a lot of leverage. We want to win, and we will win. But I want to win as the Republican. I want to run as the Republican nominee.
...
BAIER: Just to be clear, you can’t make a — we’re gonna — we’re going to move on.
You’re not gonna make the pledge tonight?
TRUMP: I will not make the pledge at this time.
BAIER: OK. Alright.
===
http://uneditedpolitics.com/donald-trump-post-debate-interview-with-sean-hannity-8615/
Donald Trump Post-Debate Interview with Sean Hannity – 8/6/15 (http://uneditedpolitics.com/donald-trump-post-debate-interview-with-sean-hannity-8615/)
August 7, 2015
Hannity: The one question that got a lot of boos and it came in right off the top; running as a third candidate; you wouldn't make the pledge. Why?
Trump: I'll make the pledge if I win. But you know, why should I give up that leverage? If they don't treat me well, you know, you're talking about the establishment Republicans; if they don't treat me well, Sean, why should I make that pledge? I may at some point do it because I'm really starting to like the establishment people. Reince [Priebus] and the whole group have really been nice lately. But you know, at this moment, it's great leverage and I might as well use it. I mean, this country should use leverage in their trade deals. They don't believe in it because they don't know what they're doing. So, I knew that was going to be a little bit controversial, but it was exciting. A really good way to start off the show.
Hannity: If you didn't win, you would hope … that you would be able to support the Republican nominee.
Trump: One hundred percent correct. I just want to be treated well -- treated with respect. One hundred percent correct
This was a master stroke by Trump. FOX News debate moderator Baier, thought he would shut down Trump's threat to run as third party, but Trump refused to take the pledge and showed the courage it takes to stand by principle when he was the only one to raise his hand -- defying Baier and the establishment on live national TV with all the other candidates looking on.
http://chicago.suntimes.com/news/7/71/859457/fox-news-underdog-gop-debate-transcript
Transcript: Fox News GOP Debate in Cleveland August 6, 2015 (http://chicago.suntimes.com/news/7/71/859457/fox-news-underdog-gop-debate-transcript)
written by Lynn Sweet
Chicago Sun Times
posted: 08/06/2015, 11:41pm
BAIER: Gentlemen, we know how much you love hand-raising questions. So we promise, this is the only one tonight: the only one. Is there anyone on stage, and can I see hands, who is unwilling tonight to pledge your support to the eventual nominee of the Republican party and pledge to not run an independent campaign against that person.
Again, we’re looking for you to raise your hand now — raise your hand now if you won’t make that pledge tonight.
Mr. Trump.
(BOOING)
Mr. Trump to be clear, you’re standing on a Republican primary debate stage.
TRUMP: I fully understand.
BAIER: The place where the RNC will give the nominee the nod.
TRUMP: I fully understand.
BAIER: And that experts say an independent run would almost certainly hand the race over to Democrats and likely another Clinton.
You can’t say tonight that you can make that pledge?
TRUMP: I cannot say. I have to respect the person that, if it’s not me, the person that wins, if I do win, and I’m leading by quite a bit, that’s what I want to do. I can totally make that pledge. If I’m the nominee, I will pledge I will not run as an independent. But — and I am discussing it with everybody, but I’m, you know, talking about a lot of leverage. We want to win, and we will win. But I want to win as the Republican. I want to run as the Republican nominee.
...
BAIER: Just to be clear, you can’t make a — we’re gonna — we’re going to move on.
You’re not gonna make the pledge tonight?
TRUMP: I will not make the pledge at this time.
BAIER: OK. Alright.
===
http://uneditedpolitics.com/donald-trump-post-debate-interview-with-sean-hannity-8615/
Donald Trump Post-Debate Interview with Sean Hannity – 8/6/15 (http://uneditedpolitics.com/donald-trump-post-debate-interview-with-sean-hannity-8615/)
August 7, 2015
Hannity: The one question that got a lot of boos and it came in right off the top; running as a third candidate; you wouldn't make the pledge. Why?
Trump: I'll make the pledge if I win. But you know, why should I give up that leverage? If they don't treat me well, you know, you're talking about the establishment Republicans; if they don't treat me well, Sean, why should I make that pledge? I may at some point do it because I'm really starting to like the establishment people. Reince [Priebus] and the whole group have really been nice lately. But you know, at this moment, it's great leverage and I might as well use it. I mean, this country should use leverage in their trade deals. They don't believe in it because they don't know what they're doing. So, I knew that was going to be a little bit controversial, but it was exciting. A really good way to start off the show.
Hannity: If you didn't win, you would hope … that you would be able to support the Republican nominee.
Trump: One hundred percent correct. I just want to be treated well -- treated with respect. One hundred percent correct