Opinions on Reince Priebus's threat to block CNN, NBC from RNC debates?

[Monkeyleg]

I know this story is several days old, but I haven't seen it addressed here.

The Dem's wouldn't allow Fox to broadcast their debates in 2008, so I don't see why this isn't fair.

I found it interesting that when I searched Google News for "Reince Priebus debates", nearly all of the results were opinion columns from left-leaning sites and blogs (HuffPo, etc). I had to go to a Canadian newspaper site to get a hard news story: http://www.montrealgazette.com/news/Republicans+impose+debate+boycott+Priebus+says/8775086/story.html

[HankB]

NBC is planning a Hillary Clinton commercial special, aren't they? So why give them access?

But I have to ask - where was Reince Priebus when devoted lefty Diane Sawyer and former Clintonista George Stephanopoulos teamed to "moderate" a GOP debate before the primary?

I mean, could you see ANY Democrat agree to have, say, Karl Rove and Ann Coulter moderate a Democratic Party primary debate? 

[RoadKingLarry]

The "debates" finished crossing the line from pathetic joke to *expletive deleted*ing embarrasssment last time, I don't see it getting better next time.

[AZRedhawk44]

I think you're getting too caught up in the "us versus them" element of this.

It's GOOD that they want to televise the GOP debates on their networks.  That puts conservative ideas (and even some libertarian ones!) on socialist airwaves.

It's GOOD they don't want their debates on FoxNews.  Do you want that tripe on a channel you actually watch?  Do you want Hillary Clinton taking airtime away from conservative or libertarian anchor or guest personalities?

Screw Reince Priebus.  Right in the ear.  He's blue blood plantation GOP.  


GOP could learn a LOT from the libertarian/anarchist/voluntaryist guerrilla marketing machine.  Quit worrying about who is making money from your IP or commercial breaks, and start winning the war of ideas.

[TommyGunn]

I like the idea that the repubs are getting some "fight" in their blood. 
OTOH the MSM is going to be liberal, and this isn't going to stop them.
They keep agreeing to let leftwingers mediate the debates.
They should break down the debates into an even number, and get some media leftie to mediate half of them and Rush Limbaugh to mediate the other half.

[lee n. field]

The "debates" finished crossing the line from pathetic joke to *expletive deleted* embarrasssment last time, I don't see it getting better next time.

"Eye of the Sparrow" was just as good.

[makattak]

I think you're getting too caught up in the "us versus them" element of this.

It's GOOD that they want to televise the GOP debates on their networks.  That puts conservative ideas (and even some libertarian ones!) on socialist airwaves.

It's GOOD they don't want their debates on FoxNews.  Do you want that tripe on a channel you actually watch?  Do you want Hillary Clinton taking airtime away from conservative or libertarian anchor or guest personalities?

Screw Reince Priebus.  Right in the ear.  He's blue blood plantation GOP. 


GOP could learn a LOT from the libertarian/anarchist/voluntaryist guerrilla marketing machine.  Quit worrying about who is making money from your IP or commercial breaks, and start winning the war of ideas.

It's not the televising that is the problem. It's the provision of a "moderator".

And this kind of thing is about 5 years late in coming. RNC should have been insisting on AT LEAST neutral moderators. But, of course, the Stupid Party thinks it might offend the press to call them out on their cheerleading for the opposing party.

[MechAg94]

If the Republicans held their own debate and chose their own moderator, would the networks ignore it?  No, they would televise them.  Why should they let the MSM run the Repub debates and drive the questioning/agenda? 

I think I heard one of the Primary debates a couple years ago was done by the state Repub party and the questions and moderators were chosen by them.  I heard some people say that went well.

[Perd Hapley]

If the Republicans held their own debate and chose their own moderator, would the networks ignore it? 

They would cherry-pick it for the bits they liked, and ignore the rest.

[Waitone]

Irrelevant discussion since what we call "Presidential Debates" are in reality joint press conferences.
Get back to me when the Them Party wants real debates.  I'd be happy to outline such a debate for 1/4 of what they are paying NE shills.

[MechAg94]

They would cherry-pick it for the bits they liked, and ignore the rest.

Maybe the networks would try it, but there are lots of channels. 

[MechAg94]

Irrelevant discussion since what we call "Presidential Debates" are in reality joint press conferences.
Get back to me when the Them Party wants real debates.  I'd be happy to outline such a debate for 1/4 of what they are paying NE shills.

I agree they could be better.  That won't happen as long as the media sets them up. 

[Perd Hapley]

Maybe the networks would try it, but there are lots of channels. 

Try nothin'. That's what they already do. It doesn't really matter where or if it airs. The establishment press still decides what is discussed. They will decide what part of the debate actually receives any attention.

[seeker_two]

Too little too late....the GOP should have made a stand back in the Clinton Era.

Only way it works is if they exclusively use Fox News or internet for the primary debates. However, I'm sure Priebus will be kicked to the curb and the new GOP leader will kowtow to their media masters in order to be liked...

[HankB]

. . . the new GOP leader will kowtow to their media masters in order to be liked...

Too true - time and time again, I see the GOP going out of their way to alienate their base in order to get a pat on the head from people who will NEVER vote for them anyway.

[Levant]

NBC is planning a Hillary Clinton commercial special, aren't they? So why give them access?

But I have to ask - where was Reince Priebus when devoted lefty Diane Sawyer and former Clintonista George Stephanopoulos teamed to "moderate" a GOP debate before the primary?

I mean, could you see ANY Democrat agree to have, say, Karl Rove and Ann Coulter moderate a Democratic Party primary debate? 

That proves just how stupid Republicans are as a party; they really want to be Democrats. Democrats, on the other hand, really hate Republicans - even the Democrat-Republicans, meaning all Republicans.

[brimic]

Do republicans actually watch CNN or NBC?
I don't know why any cares if the these leftist shills show up or not.