Trump: 'I identify with some things as a Democrat'

Donald Trump, a 2016 Republican presidential candidate, said Friday he sometimes identifies more as a Democrat when pressed to explain previous statements that the economy generally does better under Democrats than Republicans.

"I identify with some things as a Democrat," Trump said on MSNBC's "Morning Joe" when pressed about the comments from 2004, adding that "generally speaking" he was "never a Bush fan."

"When the economy crashed so horribly under George Bush because of mistakes they made having to do with banking and lots of other things, I don't think the Democrats would have done that," Trump said.

"Now, I see it both ways, but I hated what I was watching in the last two years of George Bush, because it was a bubble that was waiting to explode," he added. "What they were doing was a death wish, and I saw that."

"I have seen things done by Republicans that are not good and are not smart, and I would not do that," he said.

The celebrity real estate developer skyrocketed to the top of many polls following the launch of his GOP White House bid in mid-June, amid weeks of criticism and media attention to his controversial comments on Mexican immigrants.

Trump made waves this week after he threatened during an interview with The Hill to run as a third-party candidate. He played down that possibility Thursday, saying, "I want to run as a Republican. I think I'll get the nomination."

"Over the years as a businessman, I've always helped everybody," Trump said Friday on MSNBC, further explaining his past support for both Democrats and Republicans.

"I'm a conservative, I want to run as a Republican, I'm leading every poll," he said. "I do not want to do independent at all. Now, if I'm treated poorly, that's one thing. If I'm treated well and with great respect and don't win, I would not do that."

Trump had suggested to The Hill on Wednesday that the Republican National Committee "has not been very supportive." He said Friday that the RNC has been "very, very nice over the last few days.”

When the economy crashed so horribly under George Bush because of mistakes they made having to do with banking and lots of other things, I don't think the Democrats would have done that," Trump said.

HAHAHA...this is our "savior?" Gee wiz Donald, you econ genius, all of that crash happened precisely because of what "Democrats would have done' and what they DID with Fannie, Freddie, the EPA, Community Reinvestment Act...etc. More proof that the ability to become personally wealthy, while a damned good ability,hasn't got anything to do necessarily with understanding the macro economy.

But what I do not understand - especially among FReepers - is the blind and rabid devotion that Trump is truly a great conservative and really, honestly is the better choice over Cruz, Walker and so on.

Those people are scary, nutty individuals.

That is true. But Jorge was responsible for bailing out failed companies with public money right before the election, Jorge looked the other way as the army of illegals grew and pandered to Vicente Fox. Jorge screwed up the aftermath of our victory in Iraq. Jorge ignored the mess involving Ginny Mae and Freddy Mac. Jorge caved to the Dems on the issue of a Homeland Security Department and supported the idiotic “Patriot” Act. I don’t like the Bushes one bit either. But I will more closely scrutinize the Donskd’s comments in the future on Democrats. At this point I give him a pass on trying to do what any candidate does, trying to get s one support from the other side.

I understand the Trump hysteria around here, I do, Trump is saying what must be said and saying what no other politician will not say. And if polled, even I would say I would vote for Trump. If only to promote the talking points he is making.
But what I do not understand - especially among FReepers - is the blind and rabid devotion that Trump is truly a great conservative and really, honestly is the better choice over Cruz, Walker and so on.

Those people are scary, nutty individuals.

All true...and by rabid, I mean rude, paranoid, accusatory, and totally unwilling to engage in any sort of intellectual debate. Even Marco Rubio in his worst moment never thought the 08 crash was something the Democrats would have avoided. What an economic maroon......the ability to make money is not the same as understanding economic cause and effect.

The only true Republican in this race is possibly Ted Cruz. So, I suppose it doesn’t matter who wins in 2016, unless it is Cruz. His poll numbers are so low right now, that I don’t know if it’s possible right now.

He was doing pretty good until he voted for TPA and came out in favor of dramatic increases in H1B visas.

Then he tanked.

Then he voted for the Corker Amendment which guarantees Iran gets nukes.

Sometimes even Ted Cruz identifies with democrats.

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