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Donald Trump: ‘Very Surprised’ That Mitt Romney Turned Down Debate Invitation

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In an interview with CNN’s Wolf Blitzer on The Situation Room Thursday, Donald Trump was flummoxed that former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney turned down attending his debate. “I was surprised because as you know, he wants my endorsement very, very badly. He was very nice, he called me but I was surprised. If I was losing in the polls, I wouldn’t be saying no to anybody.”

RELATED: Mitt Romney Announces He Won’t Be Participating In Trump Moderated Debate

“I was particularly surprised with Mitt Romney because he wants my endorsement very badly,” Trump added. “As you know, I like him a lot. I think he’s a terrific guy, but I was really surprised that he didn’t want to do the debate and i’ll tell you, I was very impressed with Newt, who’s leading in the polls, immediately said I want to do that debate. That sounds great.”

Watch Trump’s bewilderment over Romney refusing to attend his debate below via CNN:

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  • Anonymous

    lol…..Did Trump really believe that his debate would be taken seriously? Lmao

  • Anonymous

    Translation: If you don’t participate in my debate, you don’t get my endorsement.

    Only Republicans are this stupid.

  • Anonymous

     Donald, most  thinking type people in the Republican party are surprised that anyone agreed  to appear in your debate.

  • Anonymous

    I hope you debate goes ahead. Should be great fun if it winds up only Gingrich up on stage debating himself! And since, over the years, Newt has shown he doesn’t know what the heck he believes, it should get very intense!

  • Anonymous

    Trump has downgraded the republican circus into a carnival. Fewer clowns, but more freaks. Anyone want to lay odds that Obama’s Birth Certificate comes up in this debate?

  • News Of The World

    The only one who really wants your endorsement, Dump, is Newt Gingrich and that’s because he’s scared of you for some reason.  Your endorsement will actually HURT whomever receives it.  You are perceived by most Americans as an embarrassing example of using politics to attempt to promote yourself.  You are a laughingstock. 

  • Anonymous

    I didn’t think it was possible for Trump to jump the shark any further…

    But seriously, this guy is making the Fonzie shark jumping episode look like Shakespeare at this point.

  • Anonymous

    Donald Trump: Delivering the Birther vote since 2010.

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1609110843 Debbie King

    There is barely enough space for Trump and his ego both to fit in one room, however large,  The hot air that he belches out in any one day could heat a Chicago housing project at least through February. What politician could possibly want that pompous windbag’s “endorsement”?  Oh yes, Gingrich.  Trump’s twin, separated at birth.

  • Anonymous

    1) Trump shouldn’t be surprised. Mitt waited for others to take the risk of accepting Trumps invite, or turning it down, gauged public reaction and acted accordingly. He has no backbone. This is one of few points of agreement between both sides.

    2) Your endorsement carries little weight when you have to go on CNN and bribe people into appearing at your circus to get it.

  • Anonymous

    I think I’ll host a debate.I have just as much in the way of qualifications as Trump does.what’s the difference?

    Hey all you Republican hopefuls,we’ll all sit around the dinner table and I’ll ask questions like “Why the F__K should anyone vote for you”?

    Maybe I’ll see if I can televise it on public access or some nothing channel kind of like ION,maybe SyFy,that somehow seems appropriate.

  • Anonymous

    This guy’s arrogance is amazing. Almost all the Republicans candidates have said no, and he still thinks his opinions are relevant. What a clown he is. Romney said no, because it’s a smart thing to do if you want to win.

  • Anonymous

    Yeah, sorry Donald, put a fork in that pizza, it’s done; there ain’t going to be any debate.

  • Anonymous

    Memo to Donald: Mittens took a powder because he is jealous of your hair.

  • Anonymous

    Clownfest

  • Anonymous

    Wrong – the reason he said no is because Paul and Huntsman (the sane 1 in the group) had both already backed out, then the media started asking if this would be a sideshow with Trump involved.

    THAT is why Romney followed the other 2.. He sure as hell didn’t do it on his own.

  • Gloves F. Donahue

    I can not imagine doing any kind of business with this guy.

  • John Jacobjingleheimerschmidt

    The Donald is just a desperate car salesman who realizes he’s not closing the deal on the clunker. 

  • Anonymous

    Donald Trump the gift (to Progressives) that keeps on giving.  That’s very interesting Mr. Trump, please tell me more.

  • Anonymous

    I am announcing that I will not be participating in the Trump debate either. There is a new episode of Gold Rush on that night. Sorry Donald.

  • Anonymous

    Aww, don’t say that.  This is like the greatest thing ever.  Can’t I have this?

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Mary-Bechthold/1380381077 Mary Bechthold

    But Donny, EVERYBODY WHO HAS SOME BRAINS is turning you down. So, what does that say about Newt and Santorium?

  • Anonymous

    Bachmann is out too, disappointed. Was really looking forward to this circus.

  • Anonymous

    Newts going because he hopes to meet a hot babe, and Santorum is waiting to see what Jesus tells him what to do.

  • http://twitter.com/Icabods Icabod

    Trump the carnival barker!

  • Centrist79

    Trump always claiming his intelligence, is surprised a lot.

  • Michael T.

    Does character matter any more?

    Why do we continue to buy what shameless self promoters are
    selling us? 

    When did we start deciding that if someone shares our views on hot button issues (e.g., abortion, gays and immigration) we readily overlook their character flaws even going so far as to praise them. 

    Isn’t this the height of moral relativism? 

    We choose to look past character flaws of people like Trump and Gingrich because of their aggressiveness and attack-dog mentality. But we ignore other people who may be much better role models, better citizens and far better moral leaders … not to mention their even disposition and willingness to treat their opponents with dignity and respect as well as reaching out to those with differing views, religious beliefs and cultures. This blind allegiance to ethically challenged individuals undermines what should be our collective goal as a country to promote (even admire and follow) the best of the best whether it be on television or public service.

  • Anonymous

    LMAO!!!  just a few short months ago the Fox lemmings were foaming at the mouth
    when Trump threw his hat in this circus.  priceless.

  • The Real Royal Emperor

    Now that Tollbooth and Mad Michelle has turned the Donald town, we’re down to two (2) candidates. Sanitarium and the Newt. Anything else thinking Lincoln-Douglas style debate?

  • The Real Royal Emperor

    According to Big Petty, voting for him for president, yes; doing business with him, no. Logical.

  • The Real Royal Emperor

    Let’s hope Jesus doesn’t tell Sanitarium to go after the hot babe. Then, we’ll have a real debate!

  • The Real Royal Emperor

    And, they all seem to have forgotten that.

  • Anonymous

    “But enough about me. Let’s talk about you. What DO YOU think of me?” ~ Donald Trump, presidential debate moderator.

  • http://twitter.com/ZonaCumia Zona

    No. He knew it would not be taken seriously.  He wanted everyone to say his name again.  Remember, he has a new book now. 

    He is truly sickening.

  • http://twitter.com/ZonaCumia Zona

    I hope Trump puts Orly Taitz on the panel.  That would be epic.

  • Anonymous

    Hmm…  Not a lot of Republicans posting to this article.

  • Anonymous

    Actually, for me, Gingrich vs Santorum conjures up Joe Isuzu vs the Aflac Duck.

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_LUKTQTZLZUTCR3SGOO76TTVOGY moremonkeybusiness

    How many candidates who met Trump have seen their numbers start moving down afterwards?  Lookout Newt.

  • Anonymous

    Hasn’t this schm*ck had his 15 minutes yet ?

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_LUKTQTZLZUTCR3SGOO76TTVOGY moremonkeybusiness

    Almost as bad as a Telemundo debate with the candidates going for the illegal vote

  • Anonymous

    Used to find Trump entertaining but he has jumped the shark with his arrogance.  Glad to see that Romney and others declined.  Hopefully Newt will seal his fate as the apprentice candidate and finally go away.  If the republicans nominate Gingrich it will be a secure Obama second term.  Why do republicans continue to shoot themselves in the foot when they have a chance for a win. Gingrich can’t even get his former congressional members on board, those that know him best.  I fear that Gingrich will fool the ignorant, evangelicals and slide into the nomination.  he can’t win, he is corrupt and has more baggage than anyone in the race.  Stupid republicans.

  • Beauregard T. Culpepper

    Yankee blowhard.

  • Anonymous

    I feel really sorry for the thinking people that haven’t jumped ship yet.  I wish you guys would abandon your party and start a sane Republican Party again.  Let the current one become a fringe party for lunatics only, because the current party makes the right look moronic, and it just doesn’t have to be that way.

  • Hout Bosques

    But these Trump interviews are BETTER than just about anything we should expect from the “debates” (which have only ever turned into actual debates about 3 times over what – 11, 12 events so far? And what particularly makes them better is they give Stephen Colbert more opportunities to do his Trump Riffing.

    NOW what we really need is for Trump to do ANOTHER round of the usual talking head suspects on whether he should give away the open positions to Gary Johnson and Buddy Rohmer and the gay guy, while dropping hints that some unnamed candidates among the ones who always get a place on the stage are “reconsidering” – as in 

    “look, I’m not gonna get into who I talked to or how many times, but let’s just say my phone is ringing like crazy over this, and this is what I hear from very very credible sources, solid-gold sources, the best possible sources, you’d have to call them impeccable, people whose business it is to know these things because they’re very very highly credible and they would never – ever – risk losing their credibility on something of this crucial importance to the future of this country, and they’re telling me, these people, I’m gonna call them sources because I’m not at liberty to reveal their names, you know what I’m talking about here, I really couldn’t be more plain without breeching confidences the sort of confidences that are worth a lot of money, I’m talking a lot, but – what I hearing is there are some candidates, high-level candidates, re-considering because they know my endorsement is very very valuable, and I’m not saying it’s one or it’s more than one, let’s just leave it at that, but I’m telling you it’s real and you could take it to a triple A rated bank or a rating agency it’s that solid”

  • Hout Bosques

    Nah – too much substance (in Isuzu and the Duck were to be debating).

  • Hout Bosques

    Me too!

  • Anonymous

    Donald is the biggest joke of all. Everytime he is being interviewed he some how always talks about how he is the ratings maching and everybody wants him. NBC is desperate to have him, Mitt Romney wants his nomination badly, Chuck Todd’s people wanted Trump on so badly, i mean Trump acts as if every body loves him and wants him. Its more like Trump wants the media attention so badly and so desperately and the media just plays right into it. Everybody loves him but more than half the GOP decided to miss out on this so called ratings machine guy that everyone seems to need so bad.

  • https://me.yahoo.com/a/7nZpGKwT1fVdlb3YN6DXlA8PViJDMLL2bO_q#5aa2e ganymede

    Quite seriously, what are we going to do about Trump? His only positive function this year has been to provide endless material for our great comics – why are all the best comic always left wing? I think it’s because they’re the only ones who know that the whole rightwing apparatus is completely phoney and they can talk about it openly!. The left isn’t much better but some liberals and progressives do have one foot in reality. I think the only future for Trump is for him to have a breakdown. He will have to cancel his ‘debate’. and has nowhere to run. This should be interesting.

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_45S32GWGDRUJIL6E2U4HOZW4BM Bob

    And I’m ‘very surprised’ the durn lib’rul media keeps giving an unchallenged forum t this habitual liar. Still waiting on those tax returns, Donald – and the ‘amazing things’ discovered by your Hawaii investigators.

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_45S32GWGDRUJIL6E2U4HOZW4BM Bob

    and Republicans wonder why people call them racist.

  • Charles Ulysses Feney

    Our friend, Donald Trump, has issued a rant
    “Cause attendance at his debate will be scant.
    He’s all in a huff,
    And his rug’s all  a’scuff
    Like we haven’t seen since Jimmy Traficant!
    ______________________________
    Charles Ulysses Feney!

  • Charles Ulysses Feney

    The Donald is a legend in his own Toupée!

  • fratdawgg23

    The short-fingered vulgarian Trump is way past his expiration date.

  • Anonymous

    My take is that they really are not avoiding Trump, they’re avoiding Gingrich

    Every one of these debates added to Gingrich and took away from the others. The scheduled debates were scheduled in advance and they cannot back away from. They signed on to them when they didn’t realize that formula was going to develop

    With the exception of Ron Paul, they’re not avoiding Trump on principle, they’d proven they can go down the road of ridiculousness on their own without Trump’s help

  • Anonymous

    …Spot on!

  • Anonymous

    FREE LAUGHS:

    PLEASE read the link this person provides.

    You’re welcome, Happy Holidays!!!

  • Anonymous

    FOX, MSNBC and CNN sold us into the Bush War and the Paulson $700 Billion Bank Heist.

    Not priceless, it cost us all.

    Laugh at that.

  • Anonymous

    Frankly of the two, Blitzer draws more scorn and derision from the likes of me than Trump. At least Trump realizes he’s in the entertainment business and advertises himself as such whereas Wolf is a clown in his own right at what he does but doesn’t know it..

    or pretends not to & is a willing participant and an instrument in this news entertainment industry and news ‘purification’ and censorship apparatchik

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_L6IS3V5F3E62UDMKZZLIAFJTNE John

    So Hair, what happened to your team of private investigators you sent to Hawaii to search for the President’s birth certificate? “I have people that actually have been studying it and they cannot believe what they’re finding,” Trump said on NBC’s “Today Show”.
    Where is your big findings?? Where??

    Oh that’s right. It was all for your own publicity too. Life and other peoples’ lives are just a reality tv show for you to get publicity and make money.

    It must be hard for Mr. I’m-The-Center-Of-TV-Universe to accept that he is not.

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