BIG MISTAKE – AT 9:31 A.M. ET:   The question is whether Donald Trump, heading toward a probable nomination for the presidency, will begin to act like a president.  The first sign is disappointing.  From the Washington Examiner: 

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump confirmed Wednesday that he would not be attending the last GOP debate on Monday in Utah, citing a prior commitment to speak before the American Israel Public Affairs Committee conference that day.

Trump made the news official during an appearance on "Fox and Friends," telling host Steve Doocy that he would not be there on Monday, and adding that "we've had enough debates."

"Mr. Trump, are you going to be at the Fox News debate on March 21st?" Doocy asked Trump.

"You know, I'll be honest, nobody even told me about it," Trump said. "Nobody told me about the debates, and as you saw, the last debate on CNN was the last debate. That was going to be it."

COMMENT:  Major blunder.  There's an old political saying about dealing with the print press:  "Don't start up with people who buy ink by the barrel."  Well, in the TV age, don't needlessly start up with Fox News.

I mean, come on.  The AIPAC speech could easily be rescheduled.  AIPAC's national meetings take place over several days.  And this scheduling conflict certainly was known days ago.  Why did Trump wait until last night's victories to pull out of the debate.  It looks arrogant, reinforcing an unfortunate part of Trump's reputation.  He hasn't won the nomination yet.  He's close, but the cigars haven't been given out.  He owes the Republican Party a debate with only three men on stage – Trump, Cruz, and Kasich. 

Now the ball is in Fox's court.  Does the company cancel the debate, or go on with it, with an empty chair substituting for Trump?   Trump's withdrawal could lead to a Cruz-Kasich "discussion," with both of them getting vast, free publicity.  It may be the thing that could change the Republican race. 

Not a good move on Trump's part.  Reconsider, sir.

March 16, 2016