We wished

Just when you thought the 2016 election was starting to get a little predictable, a big wrench has been thrown into the works. 

A Donald Trump vs. Bernie Sanders debate is getting closer to becoming a reality. It will likely be a huge boost for Sanders, a mild aid to Trump, and to borrow the key buzz word of this election so far – a YUGE pain in the neck for Hillary Clinton.

For Sanders, this entire election has been a "nothing to lose" proposition. He was given no chance to even make a dent in Mrs. Clinton's inevitable coronation by the Democrats. And as a lifetime Senate backbencher, he was not in danger of losing a chairmanship or leadership position. The latest PPIC poll shows Sanders trails her by just two percentage points among likely California primary voters. 

Needless to say, the contest would no doubt be the most-watched event in Sanders' political life and Clinton wouldn't even be there to defend herself. For a campaign that's been suffering a number of failures lately, its refusal to debate Sanders and setting off this alternative contest vs. Trump is perhaps the biggest failure yet. She can't even benefit from a sympathy factor if Trump and Sanders get too nasty in attacking her in absentia, because her absence is entirely her own fault.

Exposure will be worth it, even for the overexposed Trump.  Trump's #1 best goal is to prove to as many people as possible that he's not crazy. And a relatively cordial, yet lively, debate vs. fellow firebrand Sanders would go a long way toward accomplishing that goal. And each and every moment Trump and Sanders seem to be on the same page about Hillary Clinton's record or choreographed path to the Democratic nomination will be extremely helpful to the Trump camp. Trump's winning image as an outsider can only be enhanced by a sustained national TV appearance with fellow outsider Sanders.

This will be watched by Huge number of voters that never happened before. Just a thought.