Aug 17, 2011 8:12am
Donald Trump Handicaps the 2012 Republican Field
EmailDonald Trump isn’t a candidate – and he isn’t in a hurry to become one – but he certainly wants to play a role in the 2012 presidential election.
Here’s what Trump thinks of the 2012 contenders and those Republicans who still might jump into the race. Seems like he has a few favorites.
- “I think he's a very impressive guy. I've spoken to him a number of times. He's going to come and see me next week. And I think he's a very impressive guy with a very good record. So it'll be interesting to see how he does under the spotlight. It's a big spotlight. But Texas is a big spotlight, also. I think he's going to do very well.”
- “He's been governor of Texas for a long time. Texas has done very well. I think he's very ready. No, he's a tough guy. He's a smart guy.”
- “She's a great, wonderful woman. I really got to know her a couple of weeks ago. And she is just energetic, very smart. I think she is badly treated by the press.”
- “I thought the Newsweek cover was a disgrace. I think Tina Brown should be ashamed of herself. I think that– and I know Tina Brown very well. I think she should be ashamed of herself. I thought it was a disgrace.”
- "The only one I really don't know is Mitt Romney. Nobody seems to know him. So maybe I'll get to know him, maybe I won't, I don't know.
- “If you look at his record as governor, it wasn't totally stellar. His job production was not great at all. In fact, it was the third worst in the nation. There are some pretty negative things with respect to Mitt Romney, which frankly he's going to have to overcome.”
- “I got to know Sarah Palin very well. I like her a lot. I respect her a lot. I don't think she's running. I'm not sure. I'm not sure that she really knows herself, yet. And it's getting late.”
- “Chris Christie's a very good friend of mine, he's a great guy. I don't think he's running at all.”
As for the recent buzz that Rep. Paul Ryan might still get in:
- “I don't believe Paul Ryan would have a chance running for president because of what he did with his [budget] plan.”
- “I don't think Paul Ryan can run after what he did with the stupidity of his plan. And again, not so much the plan, but he shouldn't have done it.”
And what part will Trump have in 2012?
“The role I play is that everybody calls me, including you, ‘Let's do an interview. Can I do an interview?’ So I do interviews. And the reason I do interviews is because I love the country,” he told me.
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Trump is the only one I have heard, who has actually identified the problem with jobs, and has proposed something be done about it.
He probably should have run for President…..he seems to be the only candidate who actually knows how to fix jobs.
Posted by: Rick McDaniel | August 17, 2011, 9:34 am 9:34 am
george forgot that the guy who virtually tied bachmann is also running..whats his name again???OH Yeah the one in the race..RON PAUL! Media bias much?
Posted by: scott b | August 17, 2011, 9:37 am 9:37 am
Rick Mcdaniel, yes its so obvious how they conveniently don’t mention Ron Paul as he came within hundreds of votes from beating Bachman. America loves an underdog and the more they continue to treat him this way, the more popular he will get. Good luck MSM.
Posted by: freedom | August 17, 2011, 10:42 am 10:42 am
The American people respect and admire Donald Trump and value his political and business and the economy opinions I agree that he can help the country he loves by his access to the media where he can express his views. It sounds like he likes Rick Perry and just as a growing number of Americans including myself agree.Perry has a record of job creation to stand on, he may go wire to wire.
Posted by: Jay Adler Comment | August 17, 2011, 10:55 am 10:55 am
Perry was the beneficiary of external events beyond his control rather than the architect of job creation. And most of these jobs are minimum wage benefits free jobs, not the ones we need.
Hopefully he will be able to put is D in Economics to good use somewhere else.
Posted by: WhatIThink | August 17, 2011, 12:28 pm 12:28 pm
Oh and wait .. ‘The American people respect and admire Donald Trump’? When dod you become the spokesman for all of us?
Posted by: WhatIThink | August 17, 2011, 12:30 pm 12:30 pm
whatithink…what was obamas grades in economics?
Posted by: catman | August 17, 2011, 1:51 pm 1:51 pm
What’s Trump’s plan to create jobs? I missed that the last time he claimed he was running for president. Seems to me his only concern was Obama’s birth certificate which was ridiculous.Wow Trump wants another 15 minutes of fame? because he’s definitely not running for president
Posted by: vanessapenney | August 17, 2011, 1:58 pm 1:58 pm
Donald Trump is this century’s personafication of a Robber Baron. He talks a lot and makes a lot of money for himself. But does he actually produce anything but hot air? No.
Posted by: Oliviaheart | August 17, 2011, 2:21 pm 2:21 pm
I think Donald Trump is so right about jobs and the oil companies. Just when gas is expensive enough I passed 2 gas stations onRte. 111 this morning Mobil and Gulf and they have the nerve to be charging $4.59 a gallon. How do they get away with this? Is it legal? George why don’t you do a report on this price gauging. Donald is right is about businesses caring about Americans!
Posted by: moe | August 17, 2011, 2:55 pm 2:55 pm
I agree with OliveiaHeart, please do a story on OPEC!
Posted by: MSAM | August 17, 2011, 3:08 pm 3:08 pm
Strike that. I agree with MOE. Please do a story on OPEC.
Posted by: MSAM | August 17, 2011, 3:10 pm 3:10 pm
The American people respect Donald Trump … which American people would those be. He’s nothing but a self-promoter & that is why he is weighing in with comments right now. Wants to make sure you watch his TV show when it returns.
He’s been bankrupt … more than once ???
His hair alone would be bad for the presidencey :)
This US is fighting a depression/recession & a bad one … had to come out of & the lack of cooperation/compromise in Washington isn’t helping.
Posted by: Linda | August 17, 2011, 5:10 pm 5:10 pm
I meant “hard” to come out of …
Posted by: Linda | August 17, 2011, 5:11 pm 5:11 pm
George update: this is not only about OPEC being greedy but these and so much other American businesses being greedy to the consumer like me. Trust me they did not offer a car wash with $4.59 a gallon! Other stations were charging $3.89/ gallon.
Posted by: moe | August 17, 2011, 9:00 pm 9:00 pm
Why do we believe anyone of the candidates? I am so fed up with the system, I think it would be better to start drawing names from a phone book and make those president, senators, and representatives. The ones we elect are mainly attorneys who have been taught to lie, and we wonder why our country is in this situation?
Posted by: Beth | August 18, 2011, 12:53 am 12:53 am
Where is Mr. Trump’s opinion on Congressman Ron Paul? Did you forget to ask him, Mr. Stephanopoulos?
I don’t understand the focus on people that won’t be entering the race (like Christie) and the total silence on the ones in the race… and those that are doing well in regards to poll performance, organization, fund-raising, experience and record, etc.
The People need to hear the options and make the decision – NOT THE MEDIA!
Mr. Stephanopoulos, even as a long-time Republican, I have always liked you. I even choose to watch your coverage of the 2000 Presidential election… because you are usually well-informed, fair and thorough.
Be an advocate of The People’s right to choose – give equitable coverage to the candidates so VOTERS can make an informed decision.
Thank you.
Posted by: Alice Leuchte | August 18, 2011, 1:05 am 1:05 am
Why do people think that opec needs investigating, they dont set the price of oil the speculaters in commodities are the reason for high gas and oil prices,OUTLAW TRADING IN ENERGY COMMODITIES and the price of a gallon of gas would be 99 cents.
Posted by: earl | August 18, 2011, 7:29 am 7:29 am
There was only one president that was able to fix jobs. That was FDR. Now, we all know that the congress and the president will not do what FDR did, nor do many Americans. Yet, they want the government to fix the job problem. Folks, unless the government acquires more debt, it isn’t going to fix jobs. it is very simple, actually. Now, the government is doing exactly what it shouldn’t do to help the economy, spend less money. That’s going to hurt jobs, not help it. The government is going to lay off and furlough government employees. That’s not going to help jobs, nor is it going to inspire confidence. This won’t happen right away. Give it 2 or 3 months. For what it is worth, my prediction: THe economy is going to get worse before it gets better. And, anybody with sense can figure this out. You don’t even have to be an economist.
Posted by: JP | August 19, 2011, 10:22 pm 10:22 pm
Donald Trump’s assessments of possible GOP presidential candidates may not amount to political genius but they are shrewd and sensible.
Busineess tycoons are among the first to declare their love for America.
Posted by: Candadai Tirumalai | August 28, 2011, 2:32 pm 2:32 pm
Good night, why would any decent person want to have anything to do with this jokster? He makes an ass of himself everytime he opens his butt hole lips. If I were any of the GOP canditates I would say “thanks but no thanks”, if they have any self esteem..
Posted by: Lori Flahart | December 2, 2011, 5:52 pm 5:52 pm