Donald Trump for President?

[W.E.B. Du Bois]

If he does, he may draw votes from the Republican candidate. Trump spoke at CPAC today:

http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/02/10/trump-tells-conservative-audience-hes-presidential-material/#more-133699


The billionaire real estate mogul will decide by June if he runs for president, he said Thursday as he swept into this conference as a last-minute addition to the roster of possible 2012 Republican hopefuls.
...
He bragged that he had beaten “many people and companies” and “earned billions of dollars,” earning him the title of the world’s most competitive businessman, he said. He contrasted himself with President Obama, who he said “came out of nowhere.”

“With no track record. There was no record. Nothing to criticize,” Mr. Trump said. “Nobody knew who the hell he was.” Mr. Obama has turned America into the “laughing stock” of the world, Mr. Trump said. “The United States has become a whipping post for the rest of the world.”

By contrast, he said that a President Trump would move quickly to restore respect of America. He said he is pro-life, against gun control and will work to repeal Mr. Obama’s health care plan. “If I decide to run, I will not be raising taxes,” he said. Under his administration, Mr. Trump said America will be “taking in hundreds of millions of dollars from countries that are screwing us.”

I don't know why Trump hates Obama so much as I believe he supported Hillary Clinton for President. Hillary's position on health care is the same as Obama's and the financial regulation was not received badly by Wall Street. The foreign "screwing" that he refers to occurred in large part under the Clinton and Bush administrations where the US signed NAFTA and trade deals with China.

I doubt Donald would run.

[West Michigan]

I think he might do a fine job... but I like Ron Paul better as a candidate until I know more. I don't think Donald Trump would have too much problem firing people that were dead weight. ;)

[jazzmo413]

I would like to see what kind of campaign Trump would run with. I have respect for him. A very intelligent man who knows the in and outs of economic issues. He may make a fine candidate. Ron Paul is too much on the Tea Party side for me. Don't see much on the Republican ticket so far. No one who could beat Obama as of yet.

[Mike]

A very intelligent man who knows the in and outs of economic issues.I'm not sure whether to agree that Donald Trump knows the ins and the outs of economic issues, at least not in a way that would qualify him over other candidates. I don't think success at enriching oneself translates into the ability to successfully navigate the economic ship of state. I don't know that Donald Trump possesses any particular presidential leadership qualities, either. What little I know about him doesn't suggest to me that he possesses more than the ability to manipulate individuals who cower to his position. Having said that, I will admit that he likely possesses political and networking skills that could serve him in the public sector.

[West Michigan]

Just saw Donald Trump on the news, he was asked how he would handle a few of our problems... the man knows how to make money without a doubt. If he runs... I have to say at this point my vote is likely to go to him.

One of the things he said he would change... other countries would have to Pay for our military to protect them. Seems like a great idea to me, why should American Taxpayers pay to protect other countries and then have to pay through the nose for the domestic products they produce as well?

Another thing is he mentioned was bring OUR work back home. Perhaps we finally have a candidate that knows what has caused this great turmoil and is willing to do something about it?

[Mike]

Just saw Donald Trump on the news, he was asked how he would handle a few of our problems... the man knows how to make money without a doubt.But isn't it true that he's had his share of failed ventures? (I picked the following randomly)
Donald Trump has become infamous for telling business mogul wannabes "You're fired!" every week on primetime television. Yet, after Trump's casino operations filed bankruptcy for the second time this past November, many have wondered if it isn't time for board members to give Trump a pink slip. http://www.legalzoom.com/legal-headlines/celebrity-lawsuits/how-does-trump-repeatedly-fileHis business acumen notwithstanding, his history suggests a kind of toss-up trend that doesn't speak so well (in the context of economics) for his fitness for President.

[West Michigan]

Does anyone perform perfectly as our President? Must have been before my time if there are any. I honestly feel somewhat sorry for Obama as well as other recent Presidents and candidates, since the advent of the internet... nothing can stay hidden for too long. Any candidates from now on might just as well fess up from the get-go and admit if they've smoked pot along with anything else they've done because somebody will spill the beans sooner or later if they don't.

I still like some of his ideas... we already know somewhat of his actual history too, not sure we could say the same about other candidates. Just saying...

[Mike]

Does anyone perform perfectly as our President? Must have been before my time if there are any.No, nobody performs perfectly. Don't know what part of my remarks would give that idea. I only mean to comment about the idea that he brings something beyond the others in the area of economics specifically and the idea that a businessman is eminently qualified to be President generally--compared to many other professions.


I still like some of his ideas... we already know somewhat of his actual history too, not sure we could say the same about other candidates. Just saying...Yes, of course. I grant that Mr. Trump has some good ideas. Not sure what you mean comparing what we may already know about his past compared to other potential candidates.

[W.E.B. Du Bois]

politico.com/news/stories/0311/50894.html


“I will make a decision by June – and it may surprise you,’’ Trump, who has been making the media rounds to talk about his flirtation with a White House bid, told a NY1 reporter.

In the interview on NY1's "Inside City Hall Trump called himself a "good solid Republican.”

"I am very conservative in terms of the military I am very conservative on lots of issues," Trump said. "But I am certainly very, very conservative in terms of the military.”

Trump also talked up his foreign policy stances, saying the United States is pushed around on the world stage.

"The way it is going right now, we are a whipping post, we are laughed at, Trump said.


I think Trump is a clown. I wouldn't be surprised if he pulled a Perot, threw his hat in the ring, hung around for a while and then bailed out. After he has thrown his hat in the ring and played around for many months, he will correctly realize that he is weakening the GOP candidate and then leave, since he hates Obama so much.

[jazzmo413]

Well, five Republican candidates met in Iowa, and of course it was par for the course with the GOP. Talk was of GOD, Gays, and abortion,and any other moral issue, but no ideas mentioned about the country and what they might do to help our economy and job creating. I know they have to pander to their base, but i am tired of the moral highground they are always spewing, as if they corner the market on it. Waiting for debates with them to see if they can answer the real questions facing this country. I won't hold my breath.

[W.E.B. Du Bois]

Trump flies in his tax-dodging jet to campaign in New Hampshire. Not good politics.

Ben Smith from Politico:

The tail number begins "VP-B," a code indicating Bermuda registration -- which may be useful for tax and regulatory purposes, but probably isn't a great vehicle for an American candidate.

politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0311/Air_Trumps_registration.html?showall

[jazzmo413]

I am interested in hearing what Mr. Trump will say on the campaign trail, but don't think he will get far. It will be an interesting election cycle for 2012. I'm looking forward to it.