Trump and Bachmann Shaking Up 2012 Race
I hope you’re a believer in “the more the merrier” because two new potential candidates for president in 2012 are shaking up the race by sticking their toes in the water. Congresswoman Michele Bachmann of Minnesota is going to Iowa and is reportedly considering a run, and billionaire Donald Trump is said to have told friends that he has decided to jump in once the next season of The Apprentice ends.
It seems to be assumed that Trump is just trying to boost the ratings for his show. After all, he has worked hard for his attention-hog reputation. We all remember when he had a vicious public fight with Rosie O’Donnell and used the controversy to get booked anywhere and everywhere so he could call her “fat” and a “loser” on air. However, it’s reported that he’s researching advisors for a potential campaign and insists he is serious.
Don’t underestimate Trump’s influence in the 2012 race. If the popularity of New Jersey Governor Chris Christie tells us anything, it’s that voters are longing for a tough-talking candidate that doesn’t back down from a fight. It’s humorous to think of Trump saying “you’re fired!” condescendingly, but that’s the type of language that fits today’s angry political environment. He hasn’t held office and can therefore anchor himself to anti-Washington rage, and his reputation as an independent will also play well.
Trump has not given any policy proposals beyond taxing Chinese products and working to break OPEC, so he has room to say things to appeal to Republican primary voters. He will have to work hard to be taken seriously though, and once his support for the impeachment of President Bush because he “got us into the war with lies” and his bankruptcies are entered into the debate, he will be put on the defensive.
Trump won’t attract a lot of support among the social conservatives in Iowa because of his past infidelity and all-around inability to relate to them, but he could do well in New Hampshire. One poll found him winning 50 percent of Independents against Obama right now. Trump will fashion himself as a government-cleansing, straight-talking economic whiz. That will primarily hurt Mitt Romney, but he hurts all the other candidates as well. With his massive wealth, his ability to spout sound bites, and free media attention, he’ll leave the lesser-known candidates screaming to be noticed. Even if he ultimately doesn’t run but teases the media, he’ll have this effect.
Trump is an idiot unqualified and Bachmann has no experience, but could knock Huckabee in Iowa helping Palin
Where’s the moderator?…
Re: PJM commenting guideline #3…Disagree, but avoid ad hominem attacks…
Re: “Trump is an idiot unqualified and Bachmann has no experience, but could knock Huckabee in Iowa helping Palin.”
This comment strikes me as clearly an “ad hominem” (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/ad+hominem) attack, against individuals named in Mauro’s article, something that is clearly off-limits in this forum…
Why is it some folks, who, for whatever their reasons, dislike individuals who are in, or may be seeking, public office, feel they must resort to impugning the character of the individuals instead of logically and rationally stating the case for why they feel an individual is unqualified?
IMO, Mr. Trump did not attain to his staus as a successful business man by being an “idiot”…
IMO, Rep. Bachmann may well have attained her office by being “inexperienced” but, obviously, in the case of the current POTUS, “experience” is clearly not a prime qualifier for public office…
In most cases, I believe that, with the exception of POTUS, to aspire to public office, one need only be a US-born or naturalized citizen, and at least 18 years of age…
So, can “Carmelo Junior” provide any documented evidence and logical, rational basis for the comment or, is “Carmelo Junior” only capable of cheap shots?…
A business man for president? Yes. We have far too many academics in government.
Most people discover when they leave school and begin work that reality is different from the world pictured in texts and classrooms. They begin to learn all the things that never make it into the books as well as to discover where the book theory is just wrong. Too many politicians and academics have never confronted reality.
So I favor a business man (or should I say business person?) but not Trump. Herman Cain. Background in how things work. Mastery of political theory. Ability to make his case with a presentation that sizzles.
At this time I agree howeveer I have to see more of Mr. Cain and he has to be vetted over and above the fact that he is a very successful businessman. We know of his accomplishments in the business world but what do we know of he himslef and his beliefs as an individual, and his personal beliefs
Oh, and I should have mentioned: The idea of seeing a debate between Cain and Obama gives me goosebumps. It will give Old Media a fit.
Mc Cain had his fifteen minutes and we don’t pay overtime at the polls.
(A conservative)
McCain had his fifteen minutes in the race to the top and failed and we don’t give second chances to those that don’t want the job to begin with
Herman Cain is not John McCain. This is Herman Cain: http://www.hermancain.com/default.asp
If the link does not work, just google his name. But your confusion brings to light the reason why Herman will not be able to win. Too many uninformed people will confuse his name with John McCain’s.
Only until they hear or see him. Then the difference is unmistakable.
Bachmann…I like her but no way is she qualified to be president yet any more than she has a snowball’s chance in Hades of being the nominee. So, I have to chalk that up to ego tripping.
Donald Trump is as lacking in common sense as any man who has made – and *lost* – billions of dollars several times over can be. No thanks. No way.
I think you’ll find a lot of the folks making noises about running for the Republican nomination right now are also has-beens (or fast on their way to has-been territory) who are desperate to stay relevant (and able to make money from speaking fees) and pretty much nothing more than that.
I find it interesting and frustrating how sites like Pajamasmedia claim to despise politics as usual and then immediately attack any potential candidate who is not a cautious, calculating politician. I am undecided at this point but I am greatly leery of the establishment, faux-conservative, Romney.
If you are undecided then you don’t know enough about Mitt Romney. He’s somewhere to the left of John McCain.
Come to think of it, as far as his ACTIONS go, he’s somewhere to the left of John…. Kerry.
Romney is to conservative what Obama is to American patriot.
Michele Bachmann of Minnesota and Donald Trump have no chance in winning at all. Trump is certainly doing it for the free publicity (he always thinks there is no such thing as “bad” publicity) and Bachmann may be doing it for the same reason, as well as gaining experience for a presidential run down the road. Both will probably get about 1% of the vote in a primary and both will lose badly. And as for business executives running for elected office, just ask “The Donald” how well Carly Fiorina, Linda McMahon, and Meg Whitman did in 2010. Oh, that’s right, they all LOST. And we don’t even want to mention the name Ross Perot, who lost as well.
Don’t even know why anybody is paying attention to them. But it just proves Trump is right. All you need to do is say that you’re running and you will get that free publicity today. After all, the media needs to fill a 24/7, 365 day, news cycle with something!
The Kook Media will label these people “unelectable” because they’re not Democrats.
The Kook Media doesn’t want anybody in the White House that would bring dignity and respect back to the Office. That would shut down their ability to mischaracterize and distort, and wouldn’t sell any of their “news”.
Trump is a spoiled brat from a billionaire family that has lost money when you account for inflation and lost opportunity.
The combover and arrogance go well in D.C., however.
Trump made is first fortune by working some City of New York urban renewal programs for funding to buy a city condemned building. He is connected and corrupt and no real improvement.
Bachmann i can see as a potential run. Trump is a total joke. I’ve followed some of your past work and I cannot believe that a young man as smart as you would even suggest Trump as a potential candidate. Trump, while a popular figure and had much success, if you look into some of his recent biz deals he could been seen as somewhat of a failure. i don’t believe he does the Apprentice for the fame but for the reason that he needs the money. he’s also a well known misogynist. the list of his negatives could stretch from 5th Ave & 57th to a Boca Raton Golf course. He’s also a liberal, voted and supported Barack Obama and the last thing this country needs would be another RINO republican with money to promise us the moon and deliver us nothing.
I love it how people criticize Sarah Palin and her TV show, which is more of a family lifestyle show than trashy reality, saying it makes her somehow unqualified to run for prez but then in the next breath they throw around this fraud Trump’s name totally overlooking that laughable trainwreck of a reality show the Apprentice.
This country is upside down.
JML
Both are non-starters and both know they don’t have a chance, so there must be ulterior motives.
The obvious motives for Trump are publicity and ego.
Bachman may be a stalking horse for Sarah. It could be that she is jumping in as a fund raiser for Mrs. Palin, and / or to take some heat off the latter until she formally enters the race.
Neither one of these two people are shaking anything.
I somehow feel that America will vote for a loser.They have time after time and dont really see everything that other nationalities see in the people they pick. John McCain was my last place pic for the repub card but Americans believe too much of what they are told. Look at America,there’s no such thing as a LIAR.It’s always ‘mispeak’ or other terms used,but never LIAR.Obama lied his way to the W/House and everyone forgives him because they never bring it up.
Sorry America,but you have a real bright woman who would be great,but you cannot bring yourself to admit it.Maybe the lieing clinton put you off women,or did Pelosi,another great Liar.?????
Another “source close to the Rep.” story.
My Rep. is an aggresive fund raiser and political pot-stirrer. A serious run for anything but VP(for which she is no doubt on multiple short lists) is not happening.
Trump entering makes Romney’s candidacy DOA. The only edge Romney has over the rest of the field is money, but even Romney needs to fundraise. Trump doesn’t need to fundraise at all- his personal fortune is large enough to cover a heated primary and match or beat Obama’s spending in the general election without ever taking a donation. That said, I don’t think Trump will win because he can’t carry the base. What Trump entering the race will do is negate any advantage that Romney may have had from running against Palin AND Huckabee. Trump and Romney will saturate the media market, forcing out the various newbies. Huckabee will win Iowa again, causing Palin to drop out and endorse him. Romney will drop out after losing Florida because he will run out of money. Come Super Tuesday, it’ll pretty much be Huckabee vs. Trump (Ron Paul or some other libertarian carrying his banner may also be in the race, but he won’t be a serious contender).
Pending the results of the gubernatorial and special elections later this year, as well as possible penalties assessed against states for early primaries, there are 2421 delegates to the RNC, meaning that 1211 are required for the nomination.
You people are blind as it is: you go through life with an Illegal President & no one cares about the Constitution & you all have so much to say ….Wake up! Here’s a Real American trying to stop the Devil in his tracks. You & I both know O’Bummer should be tried for treason & all the others that are in bed with him. Believe me that’s alot of people……
Probably you would have put down Reagan right now too! I for one see a man
that is really thinking about his country & he is pretty high up there to think of becomming your President to help us ALL OUT! God Bless Donald & michelle with the Brains to get to a higher goal in life & that’s to help all of America get out from under this regime!
I have always loved the leadup to primaries. Anybody can be seen as a contender and every conceivable name will be mentioned before the Iowa Cacuses.
Right now the Republican field is wide open. The biggest sign that anyone can take the nomination is that the losers from 2008 are still considered the top contenders. Romney, Huckabee and Palin. I’ve even been hearing that Guliani is considering another losing effort.
Of course there are newcomers to the field, but none of them have really impressed. John Thune? Tim Pawlenty? How about Bobby Jindal? O.K., not Bobby Jindal. Many conservatives have said that the Democrats are scared of Palin (and some have evene said Democrats are scared of Bachmann), but in fact the only Republican that scared the White House in 2012 was Jon Huntsman and he’s been neutralized (sort of).
So let Michele Bachmann and Donald Trump splash around in the waters. Neither one might win, but at the moment there is no clear winner or even leader so why not run? Bachmann (born in Iowa) might do well at first (she could also win South Carolina against anyone I’ve mentioned). Trump might be the new Steve Forbes, but he’d make things interesting (unlike Forbes).
I’m not a Republican (or even an American) but I will be watching the primaries unfold from my couch and computer and I want to see a good show. If there’s one thing Michele Bachmann and Donald Trump have in common it’s showmanship.