I agree. If the story is true, I'm sure it's strategic on Trump's part rather than him truly standing by his beliefs about 3rd parties from 2000, which served his interests at the time, but from Trump's standpoint it makes all the sense in the world. Hillary wants a 1 on 1 debate with Trump and is generally the favorite in the election, but the debate can't be held if Trump refuses and they'd have reason to believe he would since he skipped the Iowa debate protesting Megyn Kelly. Out of the two of them, it'd likely help Trump more if neither gets enough electoral votes because the Republican House would decide, plus, Trump insisting on 3rd party inclusion only adds to his anti-establishment, populist credibility as the majority of voters want Johnson in the debates. it also prevents Trump from looking like a hypocrite based on his past statements made when he was a member of the Reform Party. Meanwhile, if Clinton objects, it makes her look even more like the establishment villain. Finally, most polls have shown Johnson taking slightly more votes from Clinton.
Regardless of what happens, Trump's campaign has been a net positive. I'm still not thrilled because I believe it hurt Rand, but he has shaken things up and I do support the idea of being represented by people who aren't career politicians.
