Donald Trump pulls out of debate as he hints at presidential run

[News_Editor]

Donald Trump pulls out of debate as he hints at presidential run

2011-12-14 17:10:02 GMT+7 (ICT)

WASHINGTON, D.C. (BNO NEWS) -- Real estate mogul and television personality Donald Trump on Tuesday afternoon announced he has decided not to host the Newsmax presidential debate because he is unwilling to give up his right to run himself.

Conservative website Newsmax announced earlier this month that Trump, who is the CEO of The Trump Organization which owns the Miss Universe and similar franchises, would host a presidential debate on December 27 in Des Moines, Iowa. The debate would have aired online and on broadcast network ION.

But, as Trump went on television networks to criticize presidential candidates about their policies and personalities, all but two of them decided not to take part in the Newsmax debate as many observers believed it would turn into a circus.

"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very concerned that sometime after the final episode of The Apprentice, on May 20th, when the equal time provisions are no longer applicable to me, I will announce my candidacy for President of the United States as an Independent and that, unless I conclusively agree not to run as an Independent,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," Trump said in a statement released on Tuesday.

Trump added: "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 businessman made headlines earlier this year when he said he was considering to run for president himself, but he decided in mid-May to not do so amid polls in which a majority indicated they would not vote for him. It followed similar statements in 1988 and 1999 when he also said he would consider to run for the White House, but in both cases declined to do so at the last moment.

"The American people are embarrassed by the gridlock currently taking place in Washington," Trump said in Tuesday's statement, which keeps the door open for a presidential run as an independent. "I must leave all of my options open because, above all else, we must make America great again!"

Trump thanked presidential candidates Newt Gingrich, who is leading the polls, and Rick Santorum for having the 'courage, conviction, and confidence' to immediately accept being 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 added.

It was not immediately clear if Newsmax would still go forward with the debate.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2011-12-14

[Jingthing]

Please run Trump man!

[maidu]

Please run Trump man!

I agree. Trump in the fracas race for Republican contender would liven things up even more. Late night talk show hosts would celebrate his entry (pun intended). Trump is one of the most un-funny and self-aggrandizing people on the planet. I wonder if his daddy will finance him, as he did when Trump's casino was about to go belly up (daddy showed up with a few million in cash to bail out his poor son).