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.”

It’s a genuine cult of personality.

What disturbs me the most is not Trump, because he’s going to flame out eventually.

I’m alarmed by the realization that some conservatives are as prone as liberals to cult-like worship of a politician, no matter how many times they hear the truth about the person.
If it happens once, it can happen again with another public figure.

Actually what killed the housing market was a bazillion home equity loans. Sure, there were some homes bought by people who shouldn’t have (particularly in California), but for every one of those there had to be hundreds of variable rate refis. There were even tax professionals advising an upper-middle class acquaintance of mine and her husband to keep debt on her house for the write off. She laughed at me when I told her in 2003 or 2004 to avoid new debt on her already mortgaged house!

It's always interesting to see the fools when the fool's gold is exposed. BTW, for the past month, that includes el Rushbo......who was never fooled by Perot for a second. I think wife #4 has dulled the senses....

I'm not sure conservatives are fooled so much as just enjoying seeing Trump punch back at the liberal media. I certainly place myself in that camp. Not going to vote for Trump, ever, but I enjoy watching him fight back. The rest of the GOP could learn something from that.

"And, as you well know, that's how he was registered from 2001-09, when he supported Obama for President. It does make you wonder, doesn't it?"

To be honest...no, I'm not wondering. I'm pretty certain. And I know you are, too. ;)

You're right, Trump was a registered Democrat only six years ago. I saw someone try to twist that into "thirty years ago."

I'm not sure conservatives are fooled so much as just enjoying seeing Trump punch back at the liberal media. I certainly place myself in that camp.

You and I are in the same camp, but I don't think you have a grasp of how big the looney bin camp is. It's huge right now...about a quarter of the Republican electorate, probably 50% of the base....for a man who does not deserve that support from those folks.

It was democrat programs as you mentioned AND policies of GW Bush TOGETHER; it wasn’t one or the other.

There were many reports posted here on FR of how SEC investigators were shut down by the Bush Administration when prosecuting banking crimes.

Bush had the enforcement powers and stood down while the bankers looted the country. This is why I turned on him. Because I could see the democrats were corrupting everything in their path which is nothing new and is to be expected. But Bush let them and he had the power to stop them.

I’m giving Donald Trump a fair pass on this. I wish he would form an independent party though. It would align the optics from double vision to to proper focus.

Wow, didn't have our coffee today, huh? My logic is one of advancing an agenda. All presidents do things I don't approve of. Reagan raised taxes. As governor, he approved a CA abortion bill.

So to me the criteria is, how will this advance my agenda. If someone has five agenda items, of which I agree with them on three, but those three are the only ones that get passed, looks like I win 100% of the time. Now, please don't get snippy. You should know better.

He is not a better choice than Cruz. The best thing going for Trump is his willingness to save America from the massive illegal invasion from the south and to defend our Christian heritage. I also believe (unlike Bush) he will shake up all the departments and put in someone who is competent.

Right now he’s on track to do just that. It would be a shame to be a typical diehard conservative and go for all or nothing, meaning if Cruz is not the selected one, to just stay home and watch America crash, just so a person can tell everyone Cruz would have saved us.

Trump is doing more good now than ever by giving push back via his loud mouth. He cannot be corrupted by large donations from special interest groups because he’s already filthy rich. He will not stand down and crawl off when the media or GOPe scolds him.

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.

Well I don't understand it either but those of us who strongly support Cruz need to keep making our case with the Trump Fans. They need a good old FR Wake Up Call.

So keep the faith, keep posting and help us win back those Trump fans for the real conservative in this race: Ted Cruz.

I’m giving Donald Trump a fair pass on this.

At some point in the next six months, you'll deny ever doing this. It's not a fair pass, it's a kool aid glasses pass. And no, Bush didn't have a damned thing to with EPA and mortgage regulations passed under CARTER AND CLINTON.....not a damned thing. Equating Trump to Bush doesn't really make your case anyway, altho it's clear Trump was TO THE LEFT of W Bush on this topic. Go ahead - give your pass...it will be your shame in the fullness of time.

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