Trump This!

I suppose it would be easy, maybe even sensible to ignore the proposed December 27 Republican presidential debate in Iowa being promoted and moderated by the ultimate huckster of our time, Donald Trump.  I mean, really?  Trump, who hasn't totally ruled himself out as a potential candidate for the presidency moderating a sideshow that as of this writing has only two announced candidates agreeing to be part of this vaudevillian exercise - Newt Gingrich and Rick Santorum - taking part?

Now I can totally understand former House Speaker Gingrich leaping at the opportunity to pontificate on why he's the smartest person in the room, if not the planet.  Though he's leading in some polls at this point, he is in desperate need of campaign cash.  And if he's able to impress the equally egotistical Trump, perhaps the cash register will ring up sufficient coin to carry him through the primary season.

As for Santorum, he has nothing to lose.  His candidacy is about as insignificant as The Donald himself.  Ron Paul and Jon Huntsman have wisely said no thanks to participating, and Michele Bachmann and Rick Perry are said to be mulling over their course of action.  The latter two are also fast becoming irrelevant in the crowded field of GOP contenders, as is Rep. Paul.  Former Massachusetts Gov. Willard Mitt Romney says he's unable to fit the show into his schedule, that he will be busy campaigning for votes in the Iowa caucus.

So it appears that the debate will be between Gingrich and Santorum.  The egotist versus the wannabe, questioned and moderated by the carnival barker.  Will it be interesting and informative?  Probably not.  The only thing that could save the show (let's face it, that's what it is) is if at the conclusion one of the two candidates (or maybe even both) simultaneously points directly at Trump and utters the words "You're Fired".

Now that, in the words of Clint Eastwood in Dirty Harry, would make my day.