Trump says he is likely to run
BROOKLYN PARK, Minn. - Donald Trump said Friday there is a ''very good possibility'' he will announce a $100 million campaign for the White House next month. Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura said, with Trump at his side, that he would consider endorsing him for the Reform Party nomination.
Announcing support for Trump now would ''put the cart before the horse,'' Ventura said.
''Certainly, if he announces that he will be a candidate he will certainly get my full consideration,'' said Ventura, the Reform Party's highest-ranking public official.
Former Republican Pat Buchanan is seeking the party's nomination but has gotten a cold shoulder from Ventura.
Trump said he wanted Ventura's backing.
''If I do decide to do this, which I very well might, Jesse's support would be very important in many ways,'' Trump said.
In a brief interview with The Associated Press, he said only ''death'' would stop him from running.
''There is a real chance that I will run,'' Trump told reporters aboard his private plane, a Boeing 727 emblazoned with his name in gold leaf, on the way to Minnesota.
At a speech to the Metro North Chamber of Commerce, Trump said, ''Maybe it's like you found out in Minnesota, it's time for straight talk and a little common sense.''
At their joint appearance, both Trump and Ventura said they were disappointed with the decision of the Commission on Presidential Debates on Thursday to only allow candidates with 15% in national polls to participate.
Ventura, whose participation in debates during the 1998 campaign were vital to his eventual election, said of the decision: ''I think it is despicable. I think it is a clear case of them fearing there could be another Jesse Ventura.''
Trump said that after watching Thursday's debate between Republican hopefuls, he thought a strong showing by a third party in a debate could have a huge impact.
''If the right person were debating against whoever the winner of that group is, it would have a major effect on the election,'' said Trump.
Trump spoke to about 500 people before the news conference with Ventura in this Minneapolis suburb where Ventura once served as mayor. The two released a written statement saying they planned to ask the Federal Election Commission to rule on a previously submitted petition that the FEC set guidelines for participation in the fall debates.
''We urge the FEC to formally take up this issue and open a public debate in which truly fair and objective debate selection standards can be developed,'' the statement said.
Trump said that if he decides to run for the Reform Party nomination, he is sure Ventura will be behind him.
Trump also said he had spoken with people about serving in his administration if he should be elected.
Former Republican Pat Buchanan is seeking the party's nomination but has gotten a cold shoulder from Ventura.
In New York City, Buchanan joked about the Trump-Ventura meeting.
''My guess is my name will come up in the conversation,'' he said, laughing. ''I know that Governor Ventura's been very critical of me or positions I've taken, as has the other gentleman, but I do think that the Reform Party has got to bring together folks who have disagreed in the past on a variety of positions if we're going to have any chance of taking over the White House.''
Buchanan said Ventura appeared to be leaning toward supporting Trump. ''He's certainly not leaning toward me,'' he joked.
Trump was to be the keynote speaker tonight at the first post-election fund-raiser - a $100-per-person affair - for the Jesse Ventura Volunteer Committee.
The governor and other Minnesota Reform Party leaders have been critical of Buchanan's conservative positions on social issues and opposition to free trade. In addition, the Minnesota leaders are openly recruiting other candidates to take on Buchanan.
