An article on Trump's debate.
(This is the first of two analyzed columns for this grading period)
Clarence Page writes in this column about Donald Trump's proposed GOP debate and how it is being handled by the GOP. His position is that it should not happen and that the Republican Party should be doing something about preventing candidates from debating in it. He begins referencing Karl Rove's outrage at Trump's December 27 debate, and then he follows by highlighting the irony of Rove's reaction. Trump's debate is described on the conservative Newsmax website to be "'the most important meeting of the major Republican candidates before the Iowa caucus (sic) and primaries in New Hampshire, South Carolina and Florida!'" This kind of over-statement is what Karl Rove has engaged in for years - it's what he is famous for: spinning information to suit his purposes, or being a "spin-doctor." Page outright states that he considers this "poetic justice."
But, despite emphasizing the irony, Page continues quoting Rove's issues with Trump's debate and explaining why Rove is right. First, Rove notes that Trump intends to endorse one of the candidates, meaning if he were to moderate a debate, Trump would not be impartial as moderators should be. Page comments, sarcastically calling Trump "The Donald" (his nickname) out on what would probably amount to a political version of Trump's reality show Celebrity Apprentice. Also, Page points out that Trump has said he might even try running for president in this election. Rove thinks the Republican National Committee chairman should put a stop this, and Page relays the chairman's less-than-favorable reaction later on.
In response to Rove's qualms, Trump is quoted calling Rove "'highly overrated,' not 'a smart person' and 'basically … a loser.'" Apparently this is similar to how Trump reacted to the first declined invites to his debate from John Huntsman and Ron Paul - that Page goes out of his way to mention this suggests his disapproval of Trump. Page capitalizes Trump's petulance by mentioning how kind Trump was to Newt Gingrich when he accepted the invitation. Then, Page connects back to the Republican National Committee Chairman, Reince Priebus, who is leaving it up to the candidates to decide whether or not to participate in this debate, and ultimately the voters, or TV viewers, to decide whether to watch. Succinctly, Page says, "That's wise." He calls the debate "Trump's latest reality show," and makes this into a biting metaphor - suggesting Trump bring in guest judges like Randy Jackson (American Idol) and Bruno Tonioli (Dancing With The Stars) to help viewers decide - he carries to the end of the article.
Page ends the metaphor abruptly, stating that perhaps to get voters involved, "a little show biz the price we pay." Utilizing irony and sarcasm, Clarence Page explains why he believes Trump's GOP debate should not be allowed.
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