Trump threatens independent run

[Dianne]

http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2011/11/22/trump-threatens-to-spend-millions-on-a-presidential-run/


He’s done it before, and he’s doing it again.


Donald Trump arrives for Regis Philbin’s farewell episode of “Live! with Regis and Kelly,” in New York, Nov. 18, 2011. (AP Photo/Charles Sykes)In his new book, “Time to Get Tough,” Donald Trump lashes into President Barack Obama and threatens to run against him next year if the Republicans don’t nominate a strong candidate.

Beating the drum even louder, Mr. Trump details his net worth—which he puts at $7 billion—and says he’s prepared to pour a large chunk of his $270 million in liquid assets into a presidential bid. (Mr. Trump values the Trump brand alone at $3 billion.)

“He’s prepared to finance an independent run for president if he’s not satisfied with the Republican nominee,” says the real estate mogul’s right-hand man, Michael Cohen.

Mr. Trump made noises about a presidential campaign this spring, including a high-profile, campaign-style jaunt aboard his personal jet to New Hampshire. But he decided instead to stick to his business enterprises and his reality TV show.

In the book, due out next month, Mr. Trump holds nothing back in blaming Mr. Obama for all that ails the economy. He claims Mr. Obama has spent much of his time traveling “around the world apologizing for the country” and “playing nice with China.”

Book tours and presidential campaigns have become almost synonymous this year. Mr. Cohen says the book would segue well into a presidential bid. “This is a very political book,” he says.

Meanwhile, Mr. Cohen claims he is doing all the necessary advance work, just in case his boss does pull the trigger — a decision Mr. Cohen says will come “in the first week in June.”

“I already mapped out everything that has to be done to be an effective candidate and what we’d have to do to get on the ballot on all 50 states,” Mr. Cohen says.

The Trump aide declined to elaborate on which GOP candidates would draw Mr. Trump’s ire, and a possible independent challenge. But he did hint that the billionaire wouldn’t run against Newt Gingrich. “He and Newt are close,” Mr. Cohen said.

[Nate-ForLiberty]

so wait, "Ron Paul can't get elected.", but if he gets the nomination I'm running 3rd party.

FU Trump.

[bluesc]

People surely can see through this backwards talk. 'If the GOP candidate isn't "strong" enough, I'll sink him and reelect Obama'. This is a direct threat to the GOP in case it looks like Ron will become the nominee.

[Bruno]

So the media should be coming down on him and calling him a spoiler, that he would hand the election to Obama, right?

Not holding my breath.

[SilentBull]

This is their plan B. I am convinced.

[Krugerrand]

This is their plan B. I am convinced.
More like plan E or F ... but it's on the list, just in case.

[Badger Paul]

Trump can go ahead and waste his money if he wishes. Win or lose we'll have something more valuable, a major party brand and institution which will long after Trump comes and goes.

[Nate-ForLiberty]

If Ron Paul does win the nomination, you can bet your ass that the establishment will have Trump run as a spoiler in order to get Obama reelected. Believe it or not, plenty of R's will defect to Trump. Enough to kill Paul's chances.

To counter this, we MUST get support from Democrats.

[bluesc]

If Ron Paul does win the nomination, you can bet your ass that the establishment will have Trump run as a spoiler in order to get Obama reelected. Believe it or not, plenty of R's will defect to Trump. Enough to kill Paul's chances.

To counter this, we MUST get support from Democrats.

Or we give Kucinich and Nader the ultimate test of credibility and launch a draft campaign for both of them to run to counter Trump. We have enough independents to offset some of the R loss to Trump, we would just need Obama to lose ~6% of his D base, and with OWS being pissed, it's not outside of the realm of possibility.

[Nate-ForLiberty]

Or we give Kucinich and Nader the ultimate test of credibility and launch a draft campaign for both of them to run to counter Trump. We have enough independents to offset some of the R loss to Trump, we would just need Obama to lose ~6% of his D base, and with OWS being pissed, it's not outside of the realm of possibility.

I don't think that would help us. Remember, if Paul gets the nomination, he'll be in debate with Obama. Big opportunity there.

[bluesc]

I don't think that would help us. Remember, if Paul gets the nomination, he'll be in debate with Obama. Big opportunity there.

You don't think the committee of Democrat and Republican leaders that decide the criteria for debates will allow Trump in too? Obama losing a few percent would absolutely help us, with Ron losing a good chunk of that incredibly soft Republican support to Trump. If Ron tries to appeal to Democrats more during a debate, the Republicans that hate his talk will move to Trump.

Ugh, the establishment are going to try everything they can to stop Ron winning the general.

[Nate-ForLiberty]

You don't think the committee of Democrat and Republican leaders that decide the criteria for debates will allow Trump in too? Obama losing a few percent would absolutely help us, with Ron losing a good chunk of that incredibly soft Republican support to Trump. If Ron tries to appeal to Democrats more during a debate, the Republicans that hate his talk will move to Trump.

Ugh, the establishment are going to try everything they can to stop Ron winning the general.

Ron doesn't try to appeal at all. His message remains constant. It won't be anything new to Republicans that have heard it. It will be new to Democrats who haven't heard it. Not to mention that he'll grab the anti-war vote easily now that Obama hasn't ended anything. The final battle will be won on economic policy. I don't think Trump will get a whole lot of support, but he would only need a little to play spoiler.

[bluesc]

Ron doesn't try to appeal at all. His message remains constant. It won't be anything new to Republicans that have heard it. It will be new to Democrats who haven't heard it. Not to mention that he'll grab the anti-war vote easily now that Obama hasn't ended anything. The final battle will be won on economic policy. I don't think Trump will get a whole lot of support, but he would only need a little to play spoiler.

Sure, but focusing more on different parts of his consistent message appeals to different people. Wouldn't it be the most awesome win if Ron defeated them both despite the obstacles? You are right on the message of liberty being appealing to everyone. I have faith.

[Nate-ForLiberty]

Sure, but focusing more on different parts of his consistent message appeals to different people. Wouldn't it be the most awesome win if Ron defeated them both despite the obstacles? You are right on the message of liberty being appealing to everyone. I have faith.

The more I think of it, having Trump in the General Election debates might make it easier for Ron to draw attention to the fact that the D's and R's are identical. However, on the flip side, they may just ignore Ron in favor of Trump and Obama. (god, the idea of those two in a debate is disgusting)

[matt0611]

He just wants attention, just ignore him.

[jtstellar]

it doesn't matter.. if ron paul gets to debate obama, meaning he has won the primaries, it will make constitutionalism and libertarianism mainstream once and for all, and it's going to be an educational event forever remembered in the nation's history. that in itself is enough merit, whether he wins in the end. although the goal is to win

[V3n]

It's not profitable for him to actually run, but it is profitable for him to 'threaten' it. He's all talk.

[Nate-ForLiberty]

It's not profitable for him to actually run, but it is profitable for him to 'threaten' it. He's all talk.

Trump uses the government to be successful. He stands to make far less money in a free market. Especially, if he can't get cheap credit (created by the Fed).

[gerryb]

Trump uses the government to be successful. He stands to make far less money in a free market. Especially, if he can't get cheap credit (created by the Fed).

Yep.

Scummy casino's only make cash hand over fist because of artificial scarcity.

[cindy25]

I think the treat is against Romney, not Ron. and I guess Palin would be Trump's running mate.

but Ron would easily win a 3 way Paul-Trump-Obama race.

[moonshineplease]

Trump is no spoiler. I've yet to meet a single person that thinks highly of him as presidential material. He is a movie of the week. It won't hurt Paul's chances one way or the other.

[DamianTV]

The powers that be are trying to enact a Voter Manipulation Tactic known as Splitting the Vote. Unfortunately for them, Ron Paul has so much support that every single candidate the GOP is throwing out would have to run to even have a snowballs chance in hell of splitting the vote from a Ron Paul Win. That is how much support Ron Paul has. However, Im not happy with percentages. Every single person in this country needs to support the man, and if they dont, we know there is a selfish desire behind their motivations to vote for anyone other than Ron Paul.

[Aratus]

Mr. Trump is serious. Newt is climbing in the polls as Herman slips.
Trump has praised Ex-Gov. Sarah Palin and Rep.Michele Bachmann.
CEO Herman Cain likes to talk to people like Dr. Henry Kissenger and
Donald Trump! Gov.Rick Perry is sounding like a nightclub gig at times.