Mitt Romney becomes latest GOP candidate to decline Trump debate

By: Walt Cronkite
Topics: Campaign 2012

(Credit: Jim Cole)

Donald Trump may have mastered the art of the real estate deal, but when it comes to debates, he's still an apprentice.

The celebrity businessman is having difficulty securing commitments from Republican presidential candidates for a Dec. 27 debate that he's planning to moderate in Des Moines.

Mitt Romney on Tuesday became the latest big-name candidate to decline the event, telling Fox News' Neil Cavuto that he informed Trump earlier today he would be too busy to appear. Romney noted that he already is planning to participate in two previously scheduled debates in Iowa this month. "I understand why Gov. Romney decided not to do it," Trump told ABC News. He declined to elaborate further.

Other candidates who have declined include Rep. Ron Paul and former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman. In an interview Monday with CNBC's Larry Kudlow, Huntsman dismissed the proposed Trump debate as a publicity stunt.

Running for president "isn't about ratings for Donald Trump. This is about jobs for the American people," Huntsman told Kudlow.

Newly-minted frontrunner Newt Gingrich has announced he will attend the Trump debate, as has former Sen. Rick Santorum.

Texas Gov. Rick Perry and Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minn., remain uncommitted, but on the CBS Early Show this morning she told Erica Hill and Chris Wragge that she is concerned about Trump's objectivity, because "he said he's already leaning towards a candidate."

The planned debate is being cosponsored by Newsmax and is scheduled to be aired on the Ion cable channel.

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by TJWalkerAmericanLP January 11, 2012 11:04 AM EST: Great ad on mocking "I like being able to fire people" quote:
http://youtu.be/08jO53eJ5x8; Reply to this comment


by 2happy2ride December 7, 2011 9:07 AM EST: I have no respect for any candidate who shows up at this circus. Trump is an ego maniac and this another publicity stunt.
Donny made much of his money declaring multiple bankruptcies immediately AFTER a huge construction project and a huge loan from a bank.; Reply to this comment

by starving1968-3 December 7, 2011 8:34 AM EST

This "debate" just proves that the republicans DO NOT take America, our problems, or our political system seriously.

Reply to this comment


by 2happy2ride December 7, 2011 9:01 AM EST: Guess you haven't heard about the OTHER 14 debates? You had 2 years of liberals in the WH & both houses and WHAT did they accomplish? obamacare, Solyndra, Fast & Furious, $1 trillion in bailouts, high unemployment, the LARGEST DEBT in WORLD HISTORY and let's not forget the first DOWNGRADE OF US CREDIT rating ever!
The GOP passed 5 BALANCED budget proposals and 53 other pieces of legislation, Reid wouldn't allow ANY of them on the floor for a vote. And if he did obama said he'd veto EVERY balanced budget proposal.
There's you proof.


by starving1968-3 December 7, 2011 8:05 AM EST: I like the fact that it's being sponsored by Newsmax - the sister organization of wnd.com / the Weekly Standard / NRO.

Is it being held at Fox News studios too?; Reply to this comment


by ruffiannd December 7, 2011 6:54 AM EST: It's instructive that only one candidate got on all fours and slobbered all over Trumps feet.; Reply to this comment


by SusanStoHelit December 7, 2011 12:13 AM EST: Newsmax and Trump - what a perfect match.

When Trump has spoken of getting into the race, this is an unsubtle attempt at an hour long Trump campaign commercial. Unsubtle - it's about as obvious as Trump's design style.; Reply to this comment


by cbsnews_viewer December 6, 2011 11:41 PM EST: Trump miscalculated and has egg on his face. Watch Gingrich slink out the side door now. Little, if anyone is going to watch a Gingrich/Bachman/Santorum infomercial. The party is over. Newsmax, the sponsor, won't get burnt like this again. Someone is going to get FIRED! This kind of high profile damage entertainment careers. Trump will recover, but some executive at Newsmax will not.; Reply to this comment


by Jaylah54 December 6, 2011 11:23 PM EST: That sound you'll all hear the evening of December 27th will be every Iowan in the state yawning at the same time.; Reply to this comment


by bobnjersey December 6, 2011 10:06 PM EST: [The celebrity businessman is having difficulty securing commitments from Republican presidential candidates for a Dec. 27 debate that he's planning to moderate in Des Moines.]
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when is the next season of celebrity apprentice starting ... december 28th?; Reply to this comment


by eteamer December 6, 2011 9:42 PM EST: More rich people telling us "becuase I'm rich I'm smarter and know better how you should live". I'd say "lets throw them all in a bon fire, but they are to fat to burn". Or is it "to big to fail".; Reply to this comment