RNC Reacts to Trump Skipping Debate; Voters React to Trump Skipping Debate
BLITZER: Donald Trump once again rewriting the political playbook after the Republican presidential debate, the last one scheduled before the very important Iowa caucuses. The question now, what will be voters, people in Iowa, the Republican caucus goers, think about all of this? Joining us now is Kathie Obradovich, columnist for the "Des Moines Register," a newspaper in Iowa. Kathie, thanks very much for joining us. What has been the reaction out there among Republican caucus goers?</s>KATHIE OBRADOVICH, COLUMNIST, DES MOINES REGISTER: Well, I think people are that Donald Trump is passing up on a last opportunity to talk to a really big audience here before the Iowa caucuses. Of course, there has been a really, I think, tight battle between Donald Trump and Ted Cruz, and it's gotten to be a nasty battle as well, and you know what they say, be there or be talked about. Trump is also missing an opportunity to answer become to the attacks that probably will come from the other candidates on that debate stage.</s>BLITZER: He says what he wants to do, instead is having a different event at the same time in Iowa to raise money for Wounded Warriors. How is that going to play?</s>OBRADOVICH: Well, you know, I think that I said this for a long time, that the only thing that really hurts Donald Trump in the polls is if everybody turns off their camera and ignores him, right? That's not going to happen. He is still going to get a place in the spotlight. He is going to be out front and center and, of course, doing something for charity as opposed to being part of the political fisticuffs on this debate. I honestly don't think that missing this debate is going to actually hurt Donald Trump. I do think it's unfortunate for the voters.</s>BLITZER: Ted Cruz, as you know, has challenged Trump to a one-on-one debate. Just the two of them for 90 minutes with or without a moderator. How will that play? We just heard the RNC, the Republican National Committee spokesman, Sean Spicer, say that would not be authorized for the RNC and should not take place.</s>OBRADOVICH: Yeah. I don't think that's the only reason it won't happen. You know, I think that Trump right now has a lead. There's not really any Benefit to him to give Ted Cruz an opportunity being one-on-one with Donald Trump on stage, and I also think that Ted Cruz is an excellent debater, and Donald Trump has his own style as well. I just don't think that Trump has any up side to letting something like that happen.</s>BLITZER: So basically, what's your assessment right now? A two-man race in the Iowa caucuses? Either Trump is ahead or Cruz is ahead. The last polls we've seen, Trump a little bit more ahead. What's your assessment? You've been covering this story now for a long time.</s>OBRADOVICH: It sure looks like a two-man race, Wolf, also I have to say I am waiting for the "Des Moines Register's" Iowa poll, the gold standard, to come out this weekend and we'll see what our pollster has to say about that. You know, for the last month or so it really has looked like a two-man race, and a fight for third place as well between Ben Carson and Marco Rubio. We always talk about there being three tickets out of Iowa, and on the Republican side, you know, we sort of know pretty much where those tickets might be going. We just don't know what order.</s>BLITZER: Yeah. Dr. Ben Carson told us at the top of the hour he is going to surprise a lot of people in Iowa. He said, "I am predicting it right here on your show." We'll see it that happens. If he comes in third, obviously, he moves forward to New Hampshire a week later. All right, Kathie, thanks very much for joining us.</s>OBRADOVICH: Thanks, Wolf.</s>BLITZER: Up next, Bernie Sanders in the White House today, visiting the president of the United States in the Oval Office. There is was, walking into the West Wing of the White House. What did they talk about? Is he ready to be more aggressive in his battle against Hillary Clinton for the Democratic presidential nomination? We'll speak to his campaign when we come back.