Trump uses huge polling lead as reason to skip primary debates

Former President Donald Trump cited his "legendary" poll numbers as a reason to skip all of the GOP primary debates leading up to voting next year.

“New CBS POLL, just out, has me leading the field by ‘legendary’ numbers. TRUMP 62%, 46 Points above DeSanctimonious (who is crashing like an ailing bird!), Ramaswamy 7%, Pence 5%, Scott 3%, Haley 2%, Sloppy Chris Christie 2%, ‘Aida’ Hutchinson 1%,” he said.

“The public knows who I am & what a successful Presidency I had, with Energy Independence, Strong Borders & Military, Biggest EVER Tax & Regulation Cuts, No Inflation, Strongest Economy in History, & much more. I WILL THEREFORE NOT BE DOING THE DEBATES!” he added.

While the debates could be used to attack Trump, candidates will no doubt do that whether he is present or not. If he skips them, he won't get to defend himself and his record until after the fact, when many people may not see or hear it.

Trump said he didn't think he needed to face the "hostile" network when some of the candidates were polling at "zero."

He has a point, but the latest reports show that ranked-choice voting could make the Iowa primary a lot closer than it now seems. He may not want to be MIA and allow another candidate to gain more supporters.