Clint and the RNC totally missed the point of an 'empty seat debate'.

[trof]

The empty seat had been used effectively in the past.
But ONLY when one candidate has been challenging another to a debate and the opposing candidate declines.

Usually, it's an 'upstart' challenger trying to get an ensconced incumbent to agree to the debate.
The incumbent blows him off.

I'm pretty sure President Obama was not invited to debate at the RNC.
(I bet you he would have come if he had been challenged.)

So the whole thing was pointless and bad political theater.
Plus the buzz about Eastwood's rambling performance has totally smothered comments on Rmoney's speech.
Backfire!