Trump Sanders.jpg

Donald Trump (left) and Bernie Sanders (right) are shown on the 2016 campaign trail.

(File photos)

TRENTON -- For political junkies -- and countless voters -- it would have been a dream debate: Donald Trump vs. Bernie Sanders.

When Trump appeared on "Jimmy Kimmel Live" on Wednesday, Kimmel told the presumptive Republican presidential nominee that Sanders, the underdog candidate for the Democratic nod, had a challenge: to debate him before the June 7 California primary.

Trump said he would -- for a price. The billionaire businessman and former Atlantic City casino magnate noted that the debate "would have such high ratings" and could raise money for a "worthy charity."

Sanders

replied

: "Game on," he wrote.

But on Friday, Trump said he wouldn't do it after all, noting that Sanders was trailing front-runner Hillary Clinton in the Democratic race and "it seems inappropriate that I would debate the second place finisher."

Plus, the real estate tycoon blamed television networks who "want to make a killing on these events and are not proving to be too generous to charitable causes, in this case, women's health issues."

Trump's announcement was a let-down to those who wanted to see the blustery Republican take on the self-proclaimed democratic socialist -- two candidates considered outsiders who draw thousands to their rallies.

Aaron Kall, the director of debate at the University of Michigan, said a Trump-Sanders debate "would have must-see TV that could have attracted tens of millions of viewers in a large California stadium or arena."

So, who do you think would have won? Sanders? Trump? Or would Clinton have won by not being there while her two foes took each other apart? Please vote in the informal, unscientific poll below.

Brent Johnson may be reached at bjohnson@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @johnsb01. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook.