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Subscribe to RSSDonald Trump withdrew Tuesday as the moderator of a debate planned for later this month in Iowa, citing his interest in possibly still running for president as an independent.
Trump pulled out of a debate he had planned to host along with the conservative magazine Newsmax, scheduled for Dec. 27, just days before the Iowa caucuses. All the GOP presidential candidates save for Newt Gingrich and Rick Santorum said they would not participate.
"The Republican Party candidates are very concerned that sometime after the final episode of The Apprentice, on May 20th, when the equal time provisions are no longer applicable to me, I will announce my candidacy for President of the United States as an Independent and that, unless I conclusively agree not to run as an Independent, they will not agree to attend or be a part of the Newsmax debate scheduled for December 27, 2011," Trump said in a statement. "It is very important to me that the right Republican candidate be chosen to defeat the failed and very destructive Obama Administration, but if that Republican, in my opinion, is not the right candidate, I am not willing to give up my right to run as an Independent candidate. Therefore, so that there is no conflict of interest within the Republican Party, I have decided not to be the moderator of the Newsmax debate. The American people are embarrassed by the gridlock currently taking place in Washington. I must leave all of my options open because, above all else, we must make America great again!"
It's not clear whether any debate with Newsmax will go forward at all. Trump thanked Gingrich and Santorum for their willingness to participate nonetheless.
"I would like to thank Newt Gingrich and Rick Santorum for having the courage, conviction, and confidence to immediately accept being a part of the Newsmax debate. I believe this would not only have been the most watched debate, but also the most substantive and interesting debate!" he said.
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If they can't Debate Trump or Newt how are they going to debate Obama?
You know, sometimes you read comments on FR that enrage you. Sometimes you read posts that upset you. But this one, this one is soooooooo satisfying. It brings Christmas cheer and a tear to my eye.
The Donald had to spin his reason for dropping out as moderator because he knew he was becoming a bigger joke each day he remained in place to moderate a debate between..........wait for it now......Newt Gingrich and........(this is when my eyes get moist with laughter's dew)....Rick Santorum.
Made my afternoon!
I cant wait to see Letterman Tonight
Too bad his old man didn't withdraw too.
Yeah, right Donald.
Trump as a moderator? hahahahahahahahahaha
Who cares?
Poor Donald.
Trump. Newt. Sanscrotum. Fail. ha
What a freak show both Trump and the GOP have made of the whole political process. Is it any wonder that conservative politicians have made a mess of the financial sector? Unbelievable!
who does trump think he's kidding? maybe the morons; he backed out because of lack of participation and interest; what an ass-clown
All this egomaniac does is embarass himself, he needs to stay as far away from politics as he can before he loses all credibility. I never would have imagined him to be such an idiot if he hadn't put himself into this.
I really expected the Doanld to be a savvy and sophisticated New Yorker---but alas he turns out to be more like backwoods hillbilly trailer trash with a huge ego problem.
ever notice how he purses his lips >>>>>>>>>Just sayin
@ James-316: Please do not offend the Hillbillies!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sorry Lancelot, your right, I'd rather share a beer with a hillbilly than have dinner on the Donald's yacht. He should be inviting me you know, it would be good for the country!
It shows that he's not running nothing anymore except his mouth.
I was all ready for the CLOWN show Damn theirs no fun here
Only in America.
Trump please run! The Bozo show would not be complete without you!!
LOL
Damn!
We all know that he was going to be the most entertaining thing about any of these 1-percenter debates.
Translation: It was embarrasing and bad for my "brand" to have so many less than stellar candidates refuse my offfer to play sidekick in the sideshow of my ego. The carnival barker gets bit by the dogs.
Tell the truth Donald! We didn't call you and ask you. You called and begged for the job. So, tell the truth Donald! You were uninvited, get it, you were uninvited. you big clown. You made an ass out of your self again and everyone laughed at your audacity. Your big mouth said it all, so reap the benefits. NO ONE CARES ABOUT YOU OR YOUR OPINION.
I think Trump has the guts to handle himself well as President and against Hollywood, Oprah, Obama, the News Media who are selling all of us out, George Soros and all of Obama's good ole buddies, Muslim friends etc. who wants America to be destroyed. No other Politian can do it.
d777 #$2^7@@ you
If the Donald were to win the Presidency, America would really be the laughing stock off the world as Trump anounces a new reality show live from the White House!
The ONLY thing Trump cares about is making more money! Oh but thats right, He is calling himself a Republican!
d777: you're kidding, right? if not, you are truly a moron and as big an ass-clown as the donald himself
Trump was out before he was in.
Of ourse his decision has nothing to do with there being no one to debate Newt. Newt, the worst possible candidate for the GOP.
Get lost Trump, you're a gasbag.
Bmc
The best way to convince a fool that he is wrong.... is to agree with him!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
So Trump doesn't think America is Great? How unpatriotic of him!
If President obama had said that, the right wing would be screaming "See! We told you he doesn't believe in America!"
Can anybody say HYPOCRITES!
Please, please, stop giving this self-promoting blowhard the air time. He's more a part of the problem and certainly not part of the solution.
Actually, if he WERE to run as an Independent, that would go a long way toward the solution -- of eliminating the GOP from political existence in America!
The Mouth That Roared. Can somebody please put a brown paper bag with no mouth cutout over this bozos head. He's so in love with himself he should marry himself and go on a permanent honeymoon to Fartsylvania.