Hillary Clinton Did the Smart Thing By Turning Down a Fox News Debate In California

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

This probably doesn't even need to be said, but just in case, let it be known that Hillary Clinton's decision to turn down a debate against Bernie Sanders ahead of the California primary is a smart one. Sanders had already agreed to what would have been, one would hope, the final Democratic debate of the election season, to take place on Fox News. Fox had issued an invitation to both candidates; Sanders jumped at the chance to once again square off against his rival.

But Clinton simply doesn't need to debate Sanders any more. She's already made it almost mathematically impossible for him to win and a new poll puts her way ahead of the Vermont senator in the delegate rich state of California. This thing has been over for some time, but as of June 7th it will absolutely be over -- and Clinton will emerge the victor. Besides that, she's already faced down Sanders in nine separate debates so it's unlikely she'd win any new ground because of anything she or Sanders had to say in response to Fox News's moderators.

What's more, with the Sanders campaign now going total scorched earth against Clinton and the Democratic Party -- accusing the former of being simply the "lesser of two evils" when compared to Donald Trump, and the latter of being corrupt simply because Sanders isn't winning -- there's no sense in giving Sanders a clear face-to-face target in front of a national audience. Clinton knows that there's nothing to gain by allowing herself to stand on a stage and be harangued for two hours by a guy she's going to beat anyway. Her appearance and her willingness to endure Sanders's sustained attacks in person would just lend those attacks legitimacy.

When Sanders agreed to the invitation from Fox News last week, the campaign said that “Californians deserve to hear what both candidates have to say on important issues confronting the state and the country.” Except that by now Californians are well aware of what the candidates stand for and how they'll confront the issues. Again, they've had an entire primary season and nine televised debates to make up their minds. It's a safe bet that not a damn thing is going to change at the 11th hour.

http://thedailybanter.com/2016/05/clinton-turns-down-fox-news-debate/

[Iamaartist]

1. Just did that post its a good thing,,,,,

[Her Sister]

2. Perfect little article! Yep! Right decision!

[procon]

3. She has nothing to gain in a debate with Sanders.

He probably had some delusions that a debate would prop up his staggering campaign, but he's still a loser.

[Thinkingabout]

4. If Sanders has not presented himself by now another debate is not going to help him.

After losing nine debates I would think the tenth one is not going to help. He could do another NYDN interview, maybe he could get the right answers.

[Cha]

5. Oh Yeah! We all said NO WAY.. and we were exactly on the same page as Hillary! BS has

lost .. he gets no more time to wag his finger @ Hillary.

[madamesilverspurs]

6. Not to mention

that the toxic Fox venue is, in and of itself, sufficient reason to decline.

[msongs]

7. One wonders why bernie wishes to give cover to fox news and its toxic agenda - hint hint - his $ is

running out

[anotherproletariat]

13. Talk about a sell out. nt

[LiberalFighter]

32. Exactly right!

What sane Democrat would accept to debate on their network?

[Jamaal510]

8. For such a

"principled" candidate, it's ironic to hear about Bernie's eagerness to debate on FOX News. I'm glad HC turned the invitation down. That was a smart move.

[brer cat]

9. Good move.

She doesn't need FOX or Bernie. He will squawk and whine but that is all he has now anyway.

[fleabiscuit]

10. The Pope of Purity helping primary sitting members of congress can debate an empty chair. n/t

[grossproffit]

11. Bernie's only goal is to bring down our party along w/ Hillary. Hillary won't give him that chance.

She has more class in her toe nail clippings than he has in his entire body.

[LannyDeVaney]

12. She should offer up a debate at Burlington College ...

Oh, wait.

[fleabiscuit]

14. LOL

[SunSeeker]

19. DUzy!

[Starry Messenger]

31. OMG.

[Surya Gayatri]

15. Massive K & R. Thanks for posting.

[still_one]

16. When the news came out about fox news offerring another debate I wrote to her suggesting

that there is absolutely no need for another debate. People know where the candidates stand, and it would only be a waste of time

[skylucy]

17. The mere fact that Bernie and Fox

News got together to pull this stunt should tell us everything we need to know about BS and his motives.

[UtahLib]

18. Why would she acquiesce to the sore loser. eom

[SunSeeker]

20. I so agree. This primary is over. Dems should be attacking Trump, not each other. nt

[Fly by night]

21. "Smart", as in "My word ain't worth merde."

[Fla Dem]

22. Yes she did. It would have been an exercise in futility.

BS would just circle back to his "millionaire and billionaires" "the 1% versus the 99%", "the system is rigged" "free college" "$15 minimum wage", all fine goals, but where's the beef Bernie? No details, no foreign policy and until just recently, no real immigration reform.

Why with HRC all but locked in for the nominee, would she want to be excoriated by FOX News vipers that just want to tear her down? Great decision.

[LAS14]

23. Totally agree! nt

[TwilightZone]

24. They should be more upset that their candidate is allowing himself to be used as a tool by Fox News

than about this debate or lack thereof.

[Stevepol]

25. You're probably right about Clinton making the right decision,

but some of your points are not quite accurate it seems to me.

For example, you have this to say,

"What's more, with the Sanders campaign now going total scorched earth against Clinton and the Democratic Party -- accusing the former of being simply the 'lesser of two evils' when compared to Donald Trump, and the latter of being corrupt simply because Sanders isn't winning"

I don't think Sanders is going "scorched earth" and I don't think he "accused" Hillary of being "the less of two evils." I think I saw the interview you are apparently referring to and Bernie was remarking on the fact that both Hillary and Trump have very high unfavorability ratings among voters. Bernie was simply saying that "voters" shouldn't have to vote for the candidate that they (the voters) perceive as the lesser of two evils.

Nevertheless, it does look like Hillary will become the nominee, and I will vote for her, hoping with all my heart that she will keep us out of more wars and do all she can to help the 99%.

[Agnosticsherbet]

26. A debate moderated by FOX would be designed to make campaign ads to destroy Democratic candidates

Sanders should know that by now.

[Squinch]

27. BS has gone the way of the dodo. Primarily by being a dodo.

[Lil Missy]

28. It was an ambush, obviously. Bernie keeps forgetting that the LOSER doen't set the terms,

the WINNER does. He can make Hillary a sandwich.

[Her Sister]

29. Yes, BS and Fox thinking they were being so clever!

Nah!

HRC: "Passing and Moving on!!"

[Kingofalldems]

30. That was a trap set by Fox.