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Subscribe to RSSReal estate developer Donald Trump endorses Mitt Romney for president.
Donald Trump formally endorsed Mitt Romney for president on Thursday, describing the former Massachusetts governor as "tough" and "smart" and the best pick in the GOP primary.
Trump and Romney appeared together in Las Vegas to announce the endorsement, which drew heavy media coverage.
"It is a real honor and privilege to endorse Mitt Romney," Trump said in brief remarks. "Mitt is tough, he's smart, he's sharp. He's not going to allow bad things to continue to happen to this country we all love."
Romney said in response: "There are some things that you just can't imagine in your life. This is one of them," adding that it means a "great deal" to have the billionaire's support.
The endorsement follows a bizarre period of time in which several major news outlets -- including the New York Times and Associated Press -- had initially reported that Trump had been planning to endorse Newt Gingrich. The former House speaker had been one of only two candidates to agree appearing at a debate the "Apprentice" host had planned, but which never came to pass. Romney declined attendance.
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Former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum (R) said he didn't think the Trump endorsement matters, but added on KDWN radio that if Trump "wants to endorse the person who's most in line with his thinking with respect to the major issue of this economic problem that we're involved in, he should endorse Rick Santorum."
For their part, Democrats seemed to take a degree of joy in the Trump spectacle.
"It really wouldn't be surprising if Donald Trump endorses Mitt Romney, because they both like firing people, and they both made millions doing it" Florida Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, the chairwoman of the Democratic National Committee, said on msnbc. "Donald Trump is such a cartoon character, no matter who he chooses, it's like Bugs Bunny endorsing ... It's really kind of a non-news event."
DNC chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz tells MSNBC's Thomas Roberts that recent verbal missteps from Mitt Romney show that he has "no concern about people who are struggling."
It's reflective of the media whirlwind to have surrounded Trump's game of footsie with Republican politics over the past year.
Trump had initially thought about running for the GOP nomination last spring. He talked publicly about the possibility of running and even visited New Hampshire. The flirtation coincided with the broadcast of last spring's season of "The Apprentice" on NBC. (NBC is a co-owner of mnsbc.com, along with Microsoft.) Trump had initially promised to make clear his intentions in the show's season finale, but ultimately demurred, and made the announcement separately.
Trump had additionally been one of the most prominent figures to voice suspicions that President Obama had not actually been born in the United States, and, thusly, was constitutionally ineligible to be president. Obama eventually relented and released his long-form birth certificate on April 27, 2011, verifying he was born in Hawaii. Obama made light of the situation at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner on May 1, deriding the media for giving voice to “carnival barkers” like Trump, only to announce the next day that Osama bin Laden had been killed in a daring raid in Pakistan -- planning of which had been ongoing during the annual dinner.
But the discussion of "birther" theories over the course of last spring appears to have harmed Trump in the eyes of the public; Trump had a 26 percent favorable rating in a February 2011 NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll, and a 29 percent unfavorable rating. By mid-May, the point at which the real estate magnate announced he wouldn't be running, a Suffolk University poll found that Trump had a 70 percent unfavorable rating, while just 18 percent of Americans had a positive opinion of Trump.
It's also not incredibly clear what, if any, impact the Trump endorsement will have on the trajectory of the race, in Nevada's caucuses on Saturday, or beyond. Romney had already led, at 45 percent, in a poll of likely Nevada caucus-goers released Thursday. He's followed by Gingrich at 25 percent, Santorum at 11 percent and Texas Rep. Ron Paul at 9 percent.
Still, the reality television star continued to play an out-sized role throughout the 2012 cycle. All the Republican candidates visited Trump through the course of last summer with the exception of former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman.
"I think his infusing himself into the dialogue really dumbs down and makes less consequential the very important issues that we must be discussing to get this country back on its feet again," Huntsman said on Fox News in December.
One of the most intensely covered media events of 2011 came when former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin went out for pizza with Trump in Manhattan during a stop on her bus tour of the Northeast, a journey meant to stoke speculation about her own presidential aspirations. When Romney visited Trump, he snuck in and out of the billionaire's headquarters without being captured by staked-out cameras.
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Didn't think the Donald liked whimps.
Can you reject an endorsement for fear it will completely ruin your campaign? Don't get me wrong, I couldn't be happier. Now all he needs is Palin's endorsement and Obama is a shoe in! Keep up the good work of shooting yourself in the foot Mitt.
Suppose Trump endorsed Obama? What would you make of that? Two idiots.
You poor thing. All annoyed and nowhere to go.
That doesn't even make sense. Suppose Trump endorsed you....no I won't go there.
Actually it would be another wall street pandering egotistical white idiot and the President of the United States
talk about instant regurgitation!
I don't care what Donald Trump says, and I just can't get past that.
So, I guess Romney doesn't care about the very poor and he doesn't care about the very rich.....but, man, he likes their endorsements!
Since when did Trump matter in the political arena? Romney is really not a smart man......he says stupid stuff all the time-- and the dumb part is that he doesn't even get it.....self-deportation? safety net for very poor? this one time governor is hardly Presidential material -- he just does not have the mental chops.
He didn't have the chops to be governor either. I lived in Massachusetts at the time and the reason he was a one term governor is because he didn't have a chance of being re-elected so rather than lose, he didn't run again....because it wasn't about him...choke, choke......
Everyone says stupid things...casting the first stone are we? I have met a lot of wealthy people, I have met a lot of celebrities, they are just regular people. I find it nice to think that Romney is not perfect. In contrast, Obama has proven that you don't have to be smart to be successful. It's all 6's....on a different note, why would anyone be interested in a lunar colony when people cant pay for homes here on earth....talk about a smart guy saying stupid things.....
dm....are you saying that Obama is advocating a lunar colony? That's Gingrich, Obama is advocating helping people stay in their homes.
A lunar colony would do more to stimulate the economy than most of that "stimulus" B.S. has done.
People find Trump interesting and in a certain respect, he is. But, in the overall perspective, I don't think this will effect the race that much. Could this be a way for Trump to enter politics at a higher level? Perhaps an ambassador to Venezuela? Just kidding...but this month will be an interesting tell with several primary's.
DM: Interesting??? In much the same way as The Clap is interesting. LOL
Mitt to The Donald: "Mr. Trump, I appreciate your endorsement, now please go away... and stay there."
It's comical how important Trump thinks he is and that people care what he has to say.
That makes it official! Mitt is going to be the next President & Leader of the Free World!
SIDNEY: Please tell me you are being sardonic, please???
The Donald to Williard: Now, all I need for you is $50 million to help me set up another Trump hotel resort with golf course. This one will be in Cuba. You'll want to get in on the ground floor on this baby! And, for an incentive, I'll throw in a political endorsement in case you run for office. What's that? You already are running for office. I did now know that. So, whadda you say, deal?
"He's not going to allow bad things to continue to happen to this country we all love."
Wow, I didn't know that Romney had magical powers that he could stop anything bad from happening. Must be that magic mormon underwear.
If he's that powerful, can't he just make us all vote for him?
He wouldn't want your vote with such stupid comment. Who gives a crap what kind of underwear he wares.....or are you just fixated on his junk....telling story when your only comment has to do with what is under his clothes, isn't it?
I agree;;; THE KISS OF DEATH!!!!
Good!!!! Two business men that know how to run a business and create jobs!!! Maybe now we can pay off some of the TRILLIONS that Obama has spent and printed money and paid off to cronies. All Obama's failed policies and green enegry projects that has cost us millions-bail out money to GM that has produced a Chevy Volt car and 8,000 have been recalled because they catch fire cost to taxpayers- $250,000 PER CAR seen the report on TV, Solyndra $500 Million, Ener 1 goes bust at $118 Million of taxpayers money, Beacon Power $43 Million, his job Czar Jeff Immelt is planning to move its (GE) 115 yr. old X-Ray division from Waukesha, Wis., to China-will INVEST $2 BILLION in China-guess he forgot what country he was suppose to create jobs in !!! Yesterday I read they are awarding a Brazilian owned company a contract to supply Light Air Support (LAS) aircraft for the U.S. Air Force. This decision is a blow to the Americans struggling to find work the article said. The LAS contract would be worth $1 BILLION to a U.S. Company. Obama has put us nearly $6 TRILLION in debt in 31/2 yrs!!!!!! Think it's time to have a new President!!!!!
A very good post, thank you.
Since Obama has taken office 2009, government spending has increased by 23 billion, gas has increased from 1.84 to over 3 bucks a gallon, unemployment has increased more under Obama than any other president. Does anyone find all these great Obama ideas about getting the economy going is coming in the last hours of his presidency? 3 1/2 years of nothing, two years with a democratic majority in the house and senate.....that record speaks for itself.
Dm8528 - The president does not spend money, Congress does. Gas prices are not the privy of the presidency, they are raised by private enterprise (oil companies that never get enough profit.). He also had more legislation passed in his first 3 years in office than the last guy had in 8 years. If you want to vote against your own interest than vote for a republican but stop with the lies about the very decent, smart, tough, and, considering what he was handed one of our most effective Presidents ever.
If you have watched politics at all this year then you know how the republicans have held everything up, even things they used to like. Hell I can remember when the republican party actually had good noble men and women, now they have just gone crazy.
Bill-314065 - you're arguing to people who don't have the mental capacity to understand you. They keep blaming the President for the cost of gas ---!!!! Let's just blame it on Trump - makes as much sense. They don't care that Bush's budget and expenditures didn't include the two wars he started or that he started those wars for no reason. They are totally ignorant - your sensible comment is of no concern to them but - good post!
The HONOR IS ALL OURS, MR. TRUMP. You are both invited to President Obama's re-inauguration festivities...
SEE YA THERE!!!!!!!
JO ANEE: LOL funny, you go girl
There will not be one, Republicans can and will take back the White House from Obama in November in a very FAST & FURIOUS way.
See what I mean republicans can only say stupid things now. Don't you know that this over the top craziness coming from republicans is really starting to turn off americans.
They want some commons sense, some fair play, and, they want the people elected to work together and they want that done now.
Jo Anne - NO! NO! NO! They are NOT invited! What a way to wreck a party! Dumb and dumber!
Trump's name has more negatives than possitives. Wasn't Romney one of the candidates that refused to go on Trumps show?
Trump's name does carry a lot of weight and money.
I'm sure Romney appreciates it Donald. It's too bad he didn't want to participate in the debate you were slated to moderate on December 27th. Politics disgust me.
Donald who?????????????????
Two fat ticks scratching each other's backs while sucking down the blood of the working man.
You sir lie.
CLAIR: Prove it!!!
You did that for me when you spoke the words you did.
st,
Technicaly, he did not lie. That sentence was pure opinion. I am sure that he believes it and therefore he is not lying.
You can disagree with his opinion, but to call him a lier is patently false.
Awesome, great news for Mitt Romney, the GOP rules and will take back the White House in Nov. There is no way Obama can run on his record of FAILURES, he gave Trillions away of tax payers monies to failed banks, failed companies like Solyndra and Ener1, he bailed out Wall Street, and GM Government Motors and if they are doing so well how about paying back the millions you still owe, Chrysler gets off free since it is owned by Fiat and Italian company, and what about the SHOVEL ready jobs that were not so shovel ready. Why did Obama say no to the Keystone Project when CHINA is drilling for oil 60 miles of the coast of Florida for? Obama gave AMERICA her first downgrade in history, he vacations on tax payers dime to the tune of 8-10 million a vacation while America is hurting economically, and what about Obama care it seem it is good enough for Americans like ourselves but is not good enough for Obama and his family they all opted out of the program, WHY? In a very FAST & FURIOUSLY way Obama has to leave the White House.
CLAIRE: Two questions, do you have wet dreams like this often?
Secondly are you as ignorant as you sound in regards to the TARP bailout, etc.??? In case you've forgotten, TARP was initiated by Dubya. It was he who bailed out the banks.
INTREPID 1, What has sex have do with any thing? When people like your self resort to filth such as you do proves just how ignorant you are. And to correct you it was Obama who did give away trillions in Stimilus Package, and have you ever heard of stopbullying.gov you should I bet your name will be there soon.
Actually intrepid, it is the one thing in his odd rant that can be layed at Obama's feet.
stclaire - smoking those funny cigarettes aren't ya? Ah the vacation lie the GOP loves to tell - Obama has taken less vacation in his entire Presidency than Bush did in one year. Also, all Presidents (including Bush) pay for their own vacation expenses. The downgrade for the US was because the grading company was upset that Congress would not work with the President and that it would hurt the US; the President and his family did not OPT out of Obamacare. Like the Senate, House, etc., they are covered by a policy for life (I wish all of them had to take the same kind of insurance we do). When you decide to write lies you should at least make them halfway believable. Totally ignorant!!!
The DNC chairwoman would know about an endorsement from Bugs Bunny. Wasn't it in Nevada that ACORN registered Mickey Mouse to vote in 2008
Yet another Sicko from down Texas way???
Yes they did.
INTREPID - Yep you can always tell those Texas clowns. And, clearly a friend of Stclaire's -surprise!
Even if Mitt got elected I can´t imagine he´d put Trump in any cabinet position or any position of power. I think Trump made some casino bets that Mittens would be the republican nominee, and the donald wants more money. I really don´t know if one can bet on this or not.
It is a business deal. Milt has the gold and Gingrich does not. Milt's "blind trust" will now be investing millions in Trump's deals. Given the number of times Trump has gone bankrupt, Milt would have been better off declinging the endorsement.
So all of the posterior kissing that Nwet did with Trump was for nothing!!!! How sad for Nwet - he must be terrible to live with right about now. I finally feel sorry for Callista (his wife).
Callista has no idea that Newt is cheating on her....both him and Cain have special memberships at the most elite gentleman's clubs.
And you know this because ... you do too?
It's one thing to have legitimate concerns over someones ideaology. But you guys have rounded the bend and are headed for the cliff with your obsession with Obama.
FO MO FO O!!!! MOFO!!!!
KING: Just you wait until The Donald releases all the "evidence" his special agents have dug up in Hawaii, then you'll see.
John Goodman (the DUI Murderer) plays golf at the Trump Golf Courses. Trump is one of his kind of people.
You should see the empty building in Ft Lauderdale Trump had his name on.
He's an evil person.