"I think if you're afraid to debate with Donald Trump, people are going to say, 'so you want me to believe you can debate Barack Obama but you're afraid to show up with Donald Trump?'" the ex-House Speaker said on Friday expanding comments he made to Fox News' Greta Van Susteren earlier in the week.
"It strikes me that it's kind of a very weak position. I don't know why people would do that."
Former Massachusetts Gov. Romney declined earlier in the week without giving specific reasons. Ron Paul, Rick Perry, Jon Huntsman and Michele Bachmann have declined as well.
And on Friday radio host Don Imus expressed surprise at candidates who declined an invitation to the Trump Debate Sponsored by Newsmax and ION Television.
“It would be the most watched debate of any of them,” he said.
Newsmax and Trump have said they will forge ahead with the debate.
Rick Santorum has said he will join Gingrich in the debate.
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