GOP campaigns debate negotiation megathread - Demands issued + Trump goes rogue

[Likely Voter]

There have been a lot of complaints about the debates from all the campaigns and especially from the CNBC debate. Today both frontrunners are calling for change...

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http://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/258541-carson-calls-for-change-in-debate-format

Donald Trump also has an idea...

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http://www.mediaite.com/online/trump-on-future-debates-maybe-every-moderator-should-show-that-they-vote-republican/

Trump previously complained about the bias of the Fox debate, he semi-threatened to not attend the CNN debate unless they donated ratings revenue to charity and afterward complained about how it was too long. He threatened (along with Carson) to not attend the CNBC debate unless the limited time and allowed open/closing statements.  

I think Trump is looking for a reason not attend future debates, and possibly Carson as well. Both took took dips after the CNN debate and neither really did that well in the CNBC debate so they may see that there is more risk than reward for them in these debates.

[Likely Voter]

Here is an update....

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[Likely Voter]

 Reince Priebus said the CNBC debate was a "crap sandwich" and that future debates will be "reevaluated and reset"
http://www.mediaite.com/tv/priebus-future-gop-debates-will-be-reevaluated-cnbcs-was-a-crap-sandwich/

[Likely Voter]

According to reports today, representatives from all campaigns will be at the Sunday meeting, including Bush (who was last holdout).

Also NYT has the memo with the rules for the FNB debate. They are allowing 90 seconds for answers and 60 seconds for rebuttals (as opposed to 60 and 30 like previous debates). Also like previous debates, no opening statements.
http://www.nytimes.com/politics/first-draft/2015/10/30/rules-of-next-republican-debate-are-unveiled/?_r=0

This issue of allowing more time should placate Carson, but we will see.  I am dubious that all 15 campaigns will be able to agree on much as they al have different agendas. And I am dubious as to how much they can really change things. Are they really going to risk running their own debates against on CSPAN and against the RNC?

[Likely Voter]

Another update. Carson is floating some crazy ideas...

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He is also pushing for fewer debates and for them to be moved to Internet broadcast instead of TV.

The one thing that is clear is that Ben Carson does not want to be on national TV in front of a big audience answering questions.
http://www.wsj.com/articles/carson-calls-for-major-changes-in-gop-debate-format-distribution-1446326197

[Likely Voter]

WaPo's Robert Costa has been reporting on the meeting over the last day, including livetweeting leaks from the meeting (taking place now).
https://twitter.com/costareports


Some interesting tidbits:

- Graham has brought in lawyer Ben Ginsberg to help
- Campaigns unsure if RNC should have any role/kicking Spicer out not enough
- Considering having RNC only involved with tickets/logistics, leaving rules negotiating with networks up to campaigns
- Trump wants fewer debaters (higher threshold), Carson wants more debaters
- All 'undercard' campaigns want to be on the main stage (issue causing 'tension')
- Santorum and Jindal pushing for splitting into 2 random choice debates of 7
- All agree to treat Fox differently than other networks "People are afraid to make Roger mad."  (LOL)
- Campaigns agree they should have approval of graphics on screen during debate (assume this means bio stuff next to candidates)
- Bush wants Telemundo reinstated (they were kicked out along with NBC), Trump camp says no, threatens to boycott

[Likely Voter]

Costas has an article up on the meeting. It covers the same points summarized before, and specifically that they are not lobbying to make any changes with respects to the upcoming debate on Fox Business..
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/gop-contenders-demand-greater-control-over-crucial-debates/2015/11/01/c1226c0c-80a0-11e5-8ba6-cec48b74b2a7_story.html

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Right now there are only 3 debates planned before Iowa, one of which is on FBN and one of which is on Fox. So this meeting seems to really be focusing on the CNN debate on December 15. But reading between the lines, it doesn't seem like they can agree on much except debates shouldnt be longer than 2 hours and they should be given 30 seconds for opening and closing statements (which is what they agreed on before with CNBC negotiations).

By the time of the ABC debate in NH on Feb. 6, many of the issues arising from dealing with 14 candidates will be resolved through dropouts.

[Likely Voter]

This letter is not the result of the meeting, it was presented at the beginning . This is the info they want from the networks. They have yet to issue their 'demands' (if they can agree on any).

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https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2015/11/01/read-the-letter-that-ben-ginsberg-drafted-for-the-gop-summit/

[Likely Voter]

WaPo has the final letter of demands issued to the networks
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2015/11/02/read-the-new-debate-host-questions-ben-ginsberg-has-compiled-from-republican-campaigns/

This is the main new bit that they all seem to be able to agree on:

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There is also this, which I think we should call 'the Rubio Rule'...

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The thorniest issue of how networks decide who gets in and if there is an undercard is not really addressed, as the campaigns clearly cant seem to agree on what they all want. The only mention of that is this request for info from networks...

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it also includes this threat

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[Likely Voter]

The plot thickens...Trump is going rogue...

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https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-campaign-to-negotiate-directly-with-tv-networks-on-debate-formats/2015/11/02/5fdec85e-8191-11e5-a7ca-6ab6ec20f839_story.html

This whole thing is a mess.

[Likely Voter]

Glenn Beck has offered to take over the suspended NBC debate on Feb 26
http://www.politico.com/blogs/on-media/2015/11/glenn-beck-offers-to-host-gop-debate-in-place-of-nbc-215453

[Likely Voter]

Now Christie, Fiorina and Kasich say they will not sign the joint letter

http://www.mediaite.com/online/christie-fiorina-kasich-wont-sign-gop-joint-debate-letter-to-networks/

It's descending into Lord of the Flies.

[Likely Voter]

So far only Carson, Huckabee, Jindal and Graham are confirmed to sign the letter
http://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/presidential-races/258967-republicans-struggle-with-defections-from-debates-plan

And there is already some blowback, notably Megan Kelly of Fox mocked the effort..."do they want foot massages too?"
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/megyn-kelly-mocks-gop-debate-letter

President Obama has also jibed the candidates for complaining about debate moderators while claiming they are the ones who can take on China and Russia
http://www.cnn.com/2015/11/02/politics/obama-republicans-cnbc/

[Likely Voter]

NYMag has a post-mortem on the failed coup against the debates...

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http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2015/11/mutinous-gop-candidates-turn-on-each-other.html#