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Trump says he’d probably run as independent if he doesn’t win Republican nomination
Hotair ^ | 04/12/2011 | Ed Morrissey

Posted on 04/12/2011 6:44:19 AM PDT by SeekAndFind

Gee, this seems so …. familiar:

CLICK ABOVE LINK FOR THE VIDEO OF DONALD TRUMP's STATEMENT

Donald Trump will “probably” run as an independent candidate for U.S. President in 2012 if he does not receive the Republican party’s nomination, he told the Wall Street Journal in a video interview on Monday. …

“I am very conservative,” said Mr. Trump. “The concern is if I don’t win [the GOP primary] will I run as an independent, and I think the answer is probably yes.” Mr. Trump said he thought he “could possibly win as an independent,” adding, “I’m not doing it for any other reason. I like winning.”

As for foreign policy, Mr. Trump said he is “only interested in Libya if we take the oil,” and that if he were President, “I would not leave Iraq and let Iran take over the oil.” He remains sharply critical of the Chinese, asserting that as President, “I would tell China that you’re either going to shape up, or I’m going to tax you at 25% for all the products you send into this country.”

The only difference between Trump and H. Ross Perot seems to be that Perot was a better businessman. About four minutes into the interview, Kelly Evans hits Trump on his flirtations with bankruptcy over the years. Trump insists that he never filed for bankruptcy, which is true in terms of his personal finances, although Trump came close enough to it. His businesses were another matter. Trump’s Taj Mahal casino had to go through bankruptcy, which cost Trump half of the casino. The Trump Plaza Hotel next went through bankruptcy, which caused him to lose 49% of the hotel and resign from its management. Two years ago, Trump Entertainment Resorts filed for Chapter 11, and in 2008 his Trump International Tower in Chicago defaulted on a $40 million loan. In response, Trump blamed the global economic collapse and tried to have it declared an Act of God to relieve himself of responsibility for the default.

That’s not exactly a great track record for a chief executive. It’s worth noting that his own investors have booted him from management at these holdings after his risk-taking and failures.

Otherwise, this is a second coming of Perot. Trump has the money (at least for now) to mount a vanity campaign as a third-party alternative to the two major-party nominees. This would end up splitting the anti-Obama vote and set the President up for an easy re-election through a popular-vote plurality that would translate into an overwhelming Electoral College majority. Liberals are not going to flock to Trump’s side for any reason, which means whatever Trump draws will come directly from those who were already inclined to vote against Obama. It would be a nightmare scenario for Republicans in this cycle, a sort of Charlie Crist on steroids and junk bonds but with a viable Democratic opponent in the mix.

The GOP should nip this in the bud now. Can we agree that the starting position for anyone seeking the Republican nomination is that they will support the outcome of the primaries?

CLICK ABOVE LINK FOR THE VIDEO OF DONALD TRUMP's STATEMENT


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Front Page News; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: 2012gopprimary; birthertrump; donaldtrump; gop; independent; potus; thirdparty; thirdparty2012; trump; trump2012; trump4trump
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To: Stingray51
I think in this case, Trump is worse, since He is claiming he has conservative principles.

Suppose the GOP candidate is Romney. Trump as a third-party candidate would split the GOP vote, since he claims to be conservative and we know Romney is not. Divide the GOP, win for the donkeys.

21 posted on 04/12/2011 7:00:30 AM PDT by kosciusko51
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To: wilco200

Any strong third party started by someone who is not a lib gives us Obama.


22 posted on 04/12/2011 7:01:47 AM PDT by Lakeshark (Thank a member of the US armed forces for their sacrifice)
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To: wilco200
What if both Trump and Sarah run as “Independents” How does a four way race turn out? D wins
23 posted on 04/12/2011 7:02:20 AM PDT by kosciusko51
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To: SeekAndFind

I posted a few days ago that I thought Trump had one of two goals:

1 - Damage Obama so Hillary! could win the Democrat nomination.

2 - Cut a deal to help himself.

I’d say if Trump runs as an independent, he’s cut a deal.


24 posted on 04/12/2011 7:03:05 AM PDT by brownsfan (D - swift death of the republic, R - lingering death for the republic.)
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To: OldDeckHand

Trump definitely is confusing: while I praise his questions about the birth certificate, the concept of the rise of China and what that means to the U.S. and the fact that America “helps” all the other countries and should ask for something in return (i.e. cheap oil), he has always been a self promoter with a HUGE ego. He doesn’t seem (IMHO) to be the type of person to put America FIRST and himself second. He seems to enjoy the limelight too much for my tastes and considers himself too brilliant. He doesn’t have one “humble” bone in his body.


25 posted on 04/12/2011 7:03:14 AM PDT by momtothree
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To: SeekAndFind

Little hand grenade with a bad haircut Mark II.


26 posted on 04/12/2011 7:03:30 AM PDT by dangerdoc (see post #6)
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To: SeekAndFind

I listened to him last week on Hannity’s radio show. When Hannity pressed him on what his June decision would be, Trump told Hannity “it will surprise you.”

With what has come out in the past day or so, he’s either a stalking horse for Hillary or running as a “conservative independent.” Either are bad news for Republicans.


27 posted on 04/12/2011 7:05:02 AM PDT by CedarDave (Democrats believe in democracy when they have the votes; when they don't they believe in thuggery.)
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To: Stingray51

Perot never claimed to be as conservative as Trump, no ,and that is a valid difference. However, they are both trade protectionists and against free trade. This is part of how both are in bed with unions. Note that on Hannity’s radio show, Trump led with the free trade issue. That was my second PEROT RED FLAG.

This idea of going independent is my THIRD red flag. Three flags and you’re out.


28 posted on 04/12/2011 7:05:02 AM PDT by C. Edmund Wright
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To: brownsfan
RE: cut a deal to help himself


29 posted on 04/12/2011 7:05:02 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
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To: SeekAndFind

Trumpmania just smells like one giant joe job, honestly. If by some miracle he wound up with the GOP nomination, there would be nothing about taxes, health care, and actual legitimate issues. It will be all about his sordid marriages, his hair, and his recent latching-on to the birther nutters


30 posted on 04/12/2011 7:06:26 AM PDT by mquinn (Obama's supporters: a deliberate drowning of consciousness by means of rhythmic noise)
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To: wilco200
What if both Trump and Sarah run as “Independents” How does a four way race turn out?

Obama would win that hands down. He's the only one whose "base" wouldn't be split.

Even if, by some miracle, one of the others pulled it off, they'd have some serious legitimacy issues. Electoral college would likely be a mess, and it'd go to the House, where it's still be a mess because the GOPers would split between Palin and Romney, and maybe even Trump.

Let's just stick to two candidates running, shall we? It's what our system was pretty much designed for.

31 posted on 04/12/2011 7:06:34 AM PDT by Titus Quinctius Cincinnatus (What if God doesn't WANT the Gospel rescued from fundamentalism?)
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To: BibChr

If this rich schister runs third party we will see Obama with a locked in win.

Then we would need 60 Senators to set the agenda.


32 posted on 04/12/2011 7:07:04 AM PDT by KC Burke
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To: Titus Quinctius Cincinnatus
Very, very stupid idea of Trump’s part.

I don't think Trump even wants to be President. By his actions, it appears he's working to pull as many GOP votes his way, go indie, then hand the election to 0bama.

Trump serves three masters:

1. Himself

2. His ego

3. An unbridled lust for money

33 posted on 04/12/2011 7:07:18 AM PDT by ScottinVA (Imagine.... a world without islam.)
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To: wilco200

What if both Trump and Sarah run as “Independents” How does a four way race turn out?

Trump (I)
Palin (I)
Obama (D)
Romney or some other RINO anointee (R)


In that scenario, Obama wins at least 40 states.


34 posted on 04/12/2011 7:08:19 AM PDT by ScottinVA (Imagine.... a world without islam.)
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To: SeekAndFind
RE: cut a deal to help himself

And I'd be very interested to know with whom? Soros? I wouldn't put that past the slimy SOB.

I can't say I'm disappointed, though. I never expected Trump to be anything more than the douchebag he is. I don't care what party's ticket he runs on, he'll never get my vote.

35 posted on 04/12/2011 7:11:36 AM PDT by ScottinVA (Imagine.... a world without islam.)
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To: Titus Quinctius Cincinnatus
I'll tell ya what's even stupider!

Following the fall guy GOP!

They refuse to lead! They are happy being the minority punching bag, because they still retain RULING CLASS STATUS.

Do you think they want to compromise their "good thing"? They aint gonna change. They represent themselves.

Eff the GOP, they can follow the TEA, or outright and openly join the DNC!

36 posted on 04/12/2011 7:11:50 AM PDT by rawcatslyentist (It is necessary that a person be born of a father who is a citizen; ~Vattel's Law of Nations)
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To: SeekAndFind

Trump’s paln is to split the republican/independent vote to allow Obama the win.

While I support Trumps’s giving light to the irther issue I know that Trump is a socialist just like the republican leadership.


37 posted on 04/12/2011 7:12:22 AM PDT by stockpirate (Rebellion to tyranny is obedience to God!)
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To: SeekAndFind

Trump will not run unless he can win.

Trump should play the following card:

If the Factcheck.org COLB is legit, why didn’t Obama and his lawyers submit it as evidence in all [12?] court cases rather than spend over $2 mm fighting over “standing”?

Reason: Rules of Evidence. The other side could challenge the authenticity of the COLB under oath.

This alone is the smoking gun.


38 posted on 04/12/2011 7:12:31 AM PDT by Andy from Chapel Hill
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To: SeekAndFind

Seems that every thread concerning Trump and his Patriotic challenge of O has brought a lot of Lefty’s out of the closet here on FR. Seems that 90+% of the posts are aimed at dissing Trump, rather than showing any appreciation for what he is doing. That would be the job of getting his hands dirty, unlike all the RINO wimps crawling around on their WEAK Knee’s. Is it just jealousy that Trump is beyond successful and has a beautiful woman by his side to boot, or is it that many that post on this subject are actually DRONES for “The Won”? Seems to me that after watching the last 3 years of moaning and groaning that real FReepers would stand behind the First Man (or woman) that not only has a Bowling Ball size set and also has the clout to be invited by the MSN to engage in Verbal Combat. He may not be the most Conservative man in the room, but he without a doubt (including the so called “conservative talking heads”) is the ONLY MAN IN THE ROOM!


39 posted on 04/12/2011 7:13:26 AM PDT by Chance Hart
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To: Andy from Chapel Hill
Trump will not run unless he can win.

Well, that depends upon how much he considers re-electing Obama a "win."

40 posted on 04/12/2011 7:16:07 AM PDT by ScottinVA (Imagine.... a world without islam.)
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