It was just a matter of time. CNBC moderator John Harwood, at last night’s Republican presidential debate, asked Donald Trump the $64,000 question. “Mr. Trump,” asked the fearless journalist, “just what makes you think a clown like you should be running for president of the United States?”
The question stunned the Republican presidential front-runner but he soon gained his bearings. “John that is such a ridiculous question. I’m not going to answer it. It’s degrading, demeaning, insulting, biased,” said the billionaire candidate. “I mean, really? This is the first question the liberal media wants to ask me?”
Sensing an opportunity, Jeb Bush seemingly came to Trump’s defense. “John,” said Bush,” you know full well Donald meets all the qualifications required to run for president. Just where in the constitution does it say a buffoon can’t seek the presidency? You and your network should be ashamed of yourselves.”
It was at that point Texas Sen. Ted Cruz decided to join in on the media bashing. “How about talking about the substantive issues?” Cruz asked. “Nobody believes the moderator will vote in the Republican primary. It shouldn’t be about tearing into each other.”
Not to be outdone, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio launched his own assault on the “mainstream media.” Citing Hillary Clinton’s performance before the House Benghazi panel last week, Rubio said, “She has her super PAC helping her out,” referring to the media’s positive coverage of her performance.
Realizing he needed to start throwing his weight around, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie jumped on the bandwagon. Christie smartly seized his moment to express his disdain for the debate moderators when a question was asked about the legality of online fantasy football. ““We have ISIS and al Qaeda attacking us,” asked a combative Christie, “and we’re talking about fantasy football?”
With all the outrage expressed at the media by his fellow Republican candidates, Trump never did answer Harwood’s question.
Republican National Committee chairman, Reince Priebus, offered his own criticism following the debate. “The performance by the CNBC moderators was extremely disappointing and did a disservice to their network, our candidates, and voters.”
An anonymous source from within the RNC later revealed an embarrassing truth … it was Reince Priebus himself who cajoled Harwood to ask Trump the clown question. The Republican establishment can abide almost any “wacko bird” as their 2016 standard bearer … but not a clown.
Photo | epictimes.com