Shockingly, Another Brilliant Republican Gambit Self-Destructs

The evolving debacle of the Republicans' "Debategate" has now entered a new phase with some candidates refusing to go along with a letter of demands whines to the networks concerning future "debate" formatting and ground rules.  Hot air balloon Donald "Rump" Trump, Master Negotiator that he is, intends to negotiate directly with the networks over their terms of surrender  debate structuring ("First, I want to build a beautiful yooge wall between me and the moderators, which the network will pay for.").  As might be expected when you're dealing with anything related to the Republican/ New Confederate/ Stupid Party, crackpot schemes well- laid plans have gone awry.  And the floundering has been noticed.

Eugene Robinson

In past cycles, the RNC was the final arbiter. But the party is in chaos and the candidates, led by Trump and Carson, are driving the bus. We’ll face down Vladimir Putin and the leaders of Iran, the contenders all say, but somebody save us from reporters asking rude questions.

Catherine Rampell

For one, all their whining about mean-spirited media bullying suggests the GOP candidates may not be equipped to handle the rough-and-tumble of a general election campaign, let alone the far more demanding presidency itself, despite tough talk about staring down dictators. A reasonable voter response to such bellyaching might be: If you can’t take the heat, get out of the kitchen. Maybe to someplace below 67 degrees. 

(Yes, even) Dana Milbank (in an amusing "application letter" to moderate the next debate)

I hope this application meets with your approval. I believe the format outlined above will, after the CNBC debate debacle, truly Make Republicans Look Great Again and return journalists to their proper role as palace courtiers. I am hopeful that I can convince my colleagues at washingtonpost.com to live-stream the debate. Though I cannot promise you that any network will broadcast the debate, I believe this should not be a major impediment. Under the requirements you proposed, very few people will be watching anyway.

The President, too, has chimed in:

“Have you noticed that every one of these candidates says, ‘Obama’s weak. Putin’s kicking sand in his face. When I talk to Putin, he’s going to straighten out’?” Mr. Obama asked a crowd of Democratic donors in New York, referring to President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia.

“And then it turns out they can’t handle a bunch of CNBC moderators at a debate,” he added to huge applause from his partisan audience. “I mean, let me tell you,” he added with gleeful scorn, “if you can’t handle those guys, you know, then I don’t think the Chinese and the Russians are going to be too worried about you.”

A party in total chaos you say?  That should make for good television!

BONUS:  Let's not forget Michael Tomasky.