If Republican Party leaders fear an independent presidential run by Donald Trump, the real-estate tycoon sees no reason to assuage their concerns.
The debate he hopes to moderate for the conservative website NewsMax is having a hard time getting off the ground. Republican front-runner Newt Gingrich has said he would join, as has former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum. Mr. Gingrich’s main rival,Mitt Romney, has declined, as have former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr., Texas Gov.Rick Perry, Rep. Ron Paul and, as of Friday, Rep. Michele Bachmann.
Mr. Trump, appearing on Fox Business News, conceded Friday he may have to scrap the whole thing.
Mr. Trump thinks he knows why so few are taking up his offer: Unless he promises not to mount an independent White House run, the Republican Party won’t play in his sand box.
In a press release on Friday, Mr. Trump said he wouldn’t bow to such concerns.
“It is very important to me that the right Republican candidate be chosen to defeat the failed and very destructive Obama administration,” he wrote. “But if that Republican, in my opinion, is not the right candidate, I am unwilling to give up my right to run as an Independent candidate.”
Mr. Trump continued: “I must leave all of my options open because, above all else, we must make America great again!” (exclamation point is the Donald’s)
Mr. Trump tends to become more vocal when he’s got a new book to sell, and true to form, he does.
“Be sure to stop by Trump Tower today-I’ll be signing copies of my new book ‘Time To Get Tough’ from 11 am to 2 pm,” he announced on Twitter Friday morning.
{The Wall Street Journal/Matzav.com Newscenter}
Mr. Trump, appearing on Fox Business News, conceded Friday he may have to scrap the whole thing.
Ah, no, don’t do that!
He’s starting to sound like Ross Perot! I will run, I won’t run, I will run, I won’t run! I like Donald’s policy’s but if he ends up running – as an Independant, he will lock up the re’election of Barak Hussien Obama! If he’s really that serious, he should get into the Republican primary! Or better yet, let him run as a Democrat against Obama. He can then join Ralph Nader & hopefully do enough damage to the Obama/Clinton machine!