Donald Trump once owned a pro football team (and then sank the league in which it played, but we digress). Anyhow, Trump is outraged that pro football might sink viewership of presidential debates this fall, and he's blaming Hillary Clinton.
Trump tweeted his displeasure Friday night over the dates of the first two debates: Sept. 26 and Oct. 9. Those happen to be a Monday and a Sunday, respectively. We're assuming Trump really is displeased and not just playing the media to attract attention (if it's the latter, then well-played, Mr. Trump).
As usual, Hillary & the Dems are trying to rig the debates so 2 are up against major NFL games. Same as last time w/ Bernie. Unacceptable!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 30, 2016
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First, didn't the Republican Party, which Trump represents, have to agree to the debate schedule? This isn't like pickup basketball where the winners take it out, or the party in the White House sets the dates. Or is Trump saying the Commission on Presidential Debates is in Clinton's pocket and wants to help bury the debates behind prime-time football (and late-season baseball, for that matter) so fewer people can marvel at Trump's mastery of forensics?
Well, actually . . . The debate schedule was set last September, when a Trump presidency was only a gleam in his eye. He had almost a year to complain, or certainly months after it became clear he was going to be the Republican nominee.
Second, while the initial debate will be up against ESPN's "Monday Night Football," the game that night will be a Week 3 matchup between the Falcons and Saints in New Orleans. A rivalry game, yes, but not a must-watch game outside Georgia or Louisiana, both of which Trump should (should) carry.
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Trump has sort of a point regarding the Oct. 9 debate, though. The "Sunday Night Football" matchup on NBC that night is Giants at Packers in Week 5. New Jersey (home of Trump surrogate Chris Christie) vs. Wisconsin. At least one state (Wisconsin) may be in play in the general election, although Trump lost that GOP primary election there by 13 points to Ted Cruz.
Then again, there are these things called the Internets and DVRs and YouTube and social media. Folks can watch the debates after football if they're so motivated, or they can follow along on their devices during play.
Anyway, back to what we said in the second paragraph: Well-played, Mr. Trump, for making us devote time and effort to your Twitter feed.