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Subscribe to RSSCONCORD, N.H.-- On the eve of the Republican National Convention this August, real estate mogul and reality TV star Donald Trump will accept an accolade of his own just an hour south of Tampa as he receives the 2012 "Statesman of the Year" award from the Sarasota Republican Party.
An invitation to the event, which serves as a fundraiser for the Sarasota GOP, shows ticket prices ranging from $150 for general admission to $1,000 for a private meeting with the outspoken Trump at the Ritz Carlton in Sarasota.
Trump spokesman Michael Cohen says Trump is "honored to be the recipient of this prestigious award," which was bestowed in 2011 on former Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour. Then-presidential candidate Herman Cain delivered the keynote address at that ceremony.
Despite controversy surrounding his persistent questioning of President Barack Obama's American citizenship, Trump has emerged as a prominent surrogate for presumptive GOP nominee Mitt Romney; recording robo-calls and conducting interviews for Romney's in early primary states, and raising money on the candidate's behalf.
In May, Trump hosted a fundraiser for Romney at Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas, and on June 28 he attended another fundraising event for the former Massachusetts governor in New York City. A heavily promoted "Dine with the Donald" event, in which donors could win a contest to have a meal with Trump and Romney, was rescheduled, according to aides to both men.
Despite all this, the two have not campaigned together -- or even been seen in public together -- since Romney accepted Trump's endorsement in February, fueling speculation that the Romney campaign would prefer to keep its distance from its supporter's more controversial remarks.
Trump's presence just an hour down Interstate 75 from the Tampa convention, set to begin the following Monday, could put an unwanted spotlight on his birtherism at a time when most Republicans would rather talk about almost anything else.
Cohen, however, said he expected Trump to take an active and visible role in the convention.
"It would seem obvious that Donald Trump will play a role in the Tampa convention, as his massive popularity, reflected in this recent award, shows what an asset he would be in making the convention into an even greater success."
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Trumped up award
A meaningless award by a meaningless group for a trumped up reason given to a real estate agent.
The group that nominated Trump for this award are aligning themselves with the definition assigned to him by George Will and it isn't pretty.
Military Members, Veterans, Military retirees;
please note that Swiss Bank account Romney PROMOTED THE DRAFT during the Viet Nam War,
then skipped out to France for extraordinary length of time when church missionary tours were limited.
When Romney came home, he sided with his dad that the whole Viet Nam War was a scam and that he was against the war.
Promoting the draft, while Americans were dying, he skipped out, then says he wishes he could have participated. His whole life has been a lie.
Romney is a COWARD, Lying, Draft Dodger, who promoted someone else to die for him, that is his way of management.
Some may want anyone but Obama, but this guy ranks with Jane Fonda and should not be given anything or elected for anything.
For those who are not old enough to remember the military draft, it was a mandatory commitment for two years that was implemented during the Viet Nam War. If your number was called, you went and served like it or not. Young people may say, I wouldn't go and they can't make me, think again.
This is what Romney promoted as if he were a "responsible citizen", then he left his fellow citizens to serve and some died for us and him. I am ashamed of him as I am retired military member, and forget about representing our country Mr. Romney.
I am one of the Military members who are against Romney, and against his bid for the presidency.