Why does Mitt Romney continue to put up with Donald Trump?
By CNN's Jack Cafferty:
(CNN) - What is wrong with Mitt Romney?
Here he finally makes it to the nomination after a bruising primary fight against all sorts of whacky, right-wing elements in the Republican Party: Rick Perry, Rick Santorum, Michele Bachmann, Newt Gingrich - you name it.
Four years after losing the race for the nomination, he finally secures the requisite number of delegates for his party's nomination for president of the United States. Sweet.
But what's one of the first things he does? He appears at a fund-raiser in Las Vegas with Donald Trump. Donald Trump. He of the curious hair and even curiouser ideas about the nation's priorities.
Donald Trump, who is still insisting Barack Obama's birth certificate is a phony. In a loud, annoying voice, he goes around claiming Obama is not qualified to be president because he wasn't born in this country.
No one is listening, Mr. Trump. Except Mitt Romney. If Romney wants to drive voters away, all he has to do is continue to indulge Trump’s lunatic ravings about the president's birth certificate.
There are real, serious problems in this country. The legitimacy of Obama's birth certificate isn't one of them. And for Romney to align himself with this gasbag with the funny hair is tantamount to wanting to destroy his candidacy before it even gets off the ground.
Except for contributing money, there is no way Trump helps Romney become the next president. And if Romney can't see that, well, I'd say the lad has some serious problems.
Here’s my question to you:Why does Mitt Romney continue to put up with Donald Trump?
Tune in to the Situation Room at 4pm to see if Jack reads your answer on air.
And, we love to know where you’re writing from, so please include your city and state with your comment.
How important is Donald Trump's endorsement?
FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
Donald Trump fancies his endorsement a hot commodity in the Republican race... and several of the candidates apparently agree.
Many of the GOP hopefuls have been making the pilgrimage to Trump Tower here in New York the past few months to meet with the real estate mogul and reality TV star. Just yesterday, front-runner Newt Gingrich became the latest to visit Trump.
In his book, Donald Trump writes that the candidates come to see him "because millions of people listen to what I say and know I 'get it.'" He adds that it wouldn't surprise him if he's the "single most important endorsement a presidential candidate" can get. And just to be clear, Trump says he's not bragging, rather quote "I just tell it like it is."
He says he'll most likely endorse someone - but hasn't said when. Trump flirted with his own GOP run earlier this year... and still isn't ruling out an Independent run.
But not everyone in the Republican race is after a Donald Trump endorsement.
Jon Huntsman probably had the best line of the week - saying he refuses to kiss Trump's ring... or any other part of his anatomy. Huntsman says this is what's wrong with politics, "show business over substance." He adds that if Trump had any courage, he'd still be running for president instead of manipulating the process from the outside. Huntsman recently said he would not attend the GOP debate Trump is moderating.
Ron Paul has turned down that debate as well, saying it would have a "circus-like" atmosphere.
Paul also took a swipe at front-runner Newt Gingrich after yesterday's meeting with Trump. Paul says Gingrich and Trump would have a "wonderful time" shopping together in New York - picking out gifts for their wives. He suggests Tiffany's. I love Ron Paul.
Here's my question to you: How important is Donald Trump's endorsement?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
Sarah Palin & Donald Trump answer to country's problems?
(PHOTO CREDIT: GETTY IMAGES)
FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
With the 2012 election sneaking ever closer, there's still a chance Sarah Palin and Donald Trump might throw their hats in the ring. Which would tend to fit nicely with the political insanity we've been experiencing the past couple of weeks.
Trump says he would consider running for president if the economy continues to be bad and if the Republicans pick the wrong candidate. Trump would be the wrong candidate.
Nevertheless, he tells CNBC he would give it "very, very serious thought," adding, "there are so many people wanting me to do it." That list would fit on a cocktail napkin.
We've been here before. Trump flirted with the idea in the past, including this year, before deciding against it. At the time, he blamed many of the economy's problems on "foolish leaders" who let countries like China steal American jobs.
As for Sarah Palin, she'll be keeping herself in the spotlight when she headlines a tea party rally near Des Moines, Iowa, over Labor Day weekend.
The "I quit after half a term" former governor of Alaska says the U.S. needs a "restoration of all that is good and strong and free,” whatever that means.
The September appearance will mark Palin's second in Iowa this year. In late June, she and her husband, Todd, attended the premiere of the pro-Palin documentary "The Undefeated."
Meanwhile, turns out that film has been soundly defeated at the box office. The movie, which opened nationwide mid-July, earned a lousy $5,000 this past weekend, the worst performance yet. The popcorn stand at the theater took in more.
Palin recently said she plans to decide about 2012 in late August or September. God help us.
Here’s my question to you: Are Sarah Palin and Donald Trump the answer to the country's problems?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
Who'll fill void left by Trump and Huckabee in '12 GOP race?
(PHOTO CREDIT: GETTY IMAGES)
FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
The Republicans may have the keys to victory in 2012 in their grasp, but it's a question of getting the horses out of the barn, onto the track and into the race.
So far, the Republican presidential field is awful. It's no wonder President Barack Obama is smiling. And it's not just getting bin Laden that has him grinning. The economy is starting to recover. And the Republicans resemble “The Gang That Couldn't Shoot Straight.”
Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee and billionaire real estate developer-turned-reality TV star Donald Trump have both said they're out. Huckabee and Trump had shown more promise in the polls than some of the other names running or considering a run.
So, who will fill the void?
There is Mitt Romney - already lost. Newt Gingrich - not happening. Sarah Palin - please, get serious. There is Ron Paul, a man with great ideas about how to solve our problems, but serious questions about electability. Then there's Tim Pawlenty and Michele Bachmann, both with potential to score big with evangelicals, but neither seem to be scoring points with the rest of the electorate.
That brings us to Mitch Daniels, the governor of Indiana, who almost everyone agrees would be a formidable challenger to Obama. And New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie. Christie says he's not "ready to run for president," despite the fact that Republicans all over the country are begging him to get in the race. And Daniels, who says he hasn't made up his mind yet. Daniels also says he could beat Obama…and he might be right.
It's pretty much a lead-pipe cinch the rest of the Republicans mentioned can't, except maybe for Christie.
Here’s my question to you: Who is likely to fill the void left by Donald Trump and Mike Huckabee in the 2012 GOP field?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
Is a presidential run already over for Trump?
FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
The morning after his TV show "Celebrity Apprentice" was interrupted by the breaking news that Osama bin Laden had been killed, Donald Trump released a statement congratulating President Obama and calling for an end to party politics for "the next several days."
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He has been uncharacteristically quiet since, especially for a guy who spent weeks adding fuel to the “birther” controversy, badgering the president on a number of issues and tiptoeing around talk of his own presidential run in 2012.
Chances are Trump has been quiet, in part, because he is still smarting from the White House Correspondents' dinner two Saturdays ago. President Obama and the evening's emcee, "Saturday Night Live's" Seth Myers, separately skewered Trump at the gala event with a series of jokes on everything from his lack of political experience to his hair. It was a world class beatdown, and by the look on his face - Trump was there– he didn't take the jokes very well. But luckily for him, the news on bin Laden limited that embarrassment quickly.
Last week Trump announced he was pulling out of an appearance to drive the Indianapolis 500 pace car at the upcoming race on May 29th. Trump said it wouldn't be appropriate for the spotlight to be on him during the race's 100th anniversary if he had a possible presidential run on his mind. It may be the first time in recorded history that Donald Trump declined the spotlight.
Then there's this: According to a CNN Opinion Research poll, 57 percent of Americans say Trump is tough enough to handle a crisis in this country and 51 percent say he can get the economy back on its feet. But only 37 percent say Trump can manage the government. And only about one-third says he's honest and trustworthy. These poll numbers are as dismal as his chances of being elected.
Here’s my question to you: Is a presidential run already over for Donald Trump?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
Is Donald Trump playing us for suckers?
Donald Trump at last week's Palm Beach County Tax Day Tea Party. Trump is considering a bid for the presidency in Election 2012. (PHOTO CREDIT: GETTY IMAGES)
FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
Is Donald Trump playing us?
It's a question Christopher Byron asks in an opinion piece on CNN.com.
If Trump is, it wouldn't be the first time.
Byron wonders if the billionaire real-estate-developer-turned-reality-TV-star is serious about running for president or if he's up to something else. His guess is choice B.
And he may be right. After all, The Donald's flirted with the idea of running for president two times before only to bow out before the race heated up.
This go 'round, he's created a lot of drama around a possible run, using flashy quotes like "Barack Obama has been the worst president ever," latching onto causes like the so-called birther movement and appearing regularly on cable news channels to share his plans for saving the world. He's said he'll announce whether or not he's actually running for president before June, possibly on the finale of his reality show, "Celebrity Apprentice."
See, May is a ratings month in television. The Donald no doubt figures he can spike the ratings for his TV show by announcing his intentions there. He's no dummy.
Trump's possible presidential run is classic Trump. He's perpetually happy to jump in front of a TV camera and spout his opinions. And whether you agree with him or not, you have to hand it to him. He is arguably one of the greatest self-promoters ever.
As Chris Byron's piece points out, Trump has been holding off on renewing his contract with NBC for the "Apprentice" franchise. Driving up his ratings with the possibility of a big announcement like a presidential bid may be his way to get the upper hand in any future contract negotiations.
However it turns out, Byron suggests Trump is taking the country for a ride.
Here’s my question to you: Is Donald Trump playing us for suckers?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
Does America need a wild card like Donald Trump in 2012 presidential race?
FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
He's got big bucks, weird hair, a big-time reality show franchise and lots of buildings with his name on them. He's outspoken and has never shied away from a television camera. But does any of that make billionaire real estate mogul Donald Trump a good fit for the Oval Office?
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He seems to think so. What a surprise.
While he hasn't officially announced he's running for president, he's putting more than his toe in the water.
For one thing, he has managed to reignite the Obama "birther" debate. Trump wants to see an official Barack Obama birth certificate. He says by not producing one he thinks President Obama has something to hide.
Trump is scheduled to speak at several political events in early primary states: a Tea Party rally in south Florida next weekend, a dinner held by the Iowa Republican Party in Des Moines later this spring, and he'll be part of the traditional "Politics and Eggs" breakfast series in New Hampshire in June.
Speaking of New Hampshire, a poll of primary voters in that state shows Trump running a close second to former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and well ahead of other well-known Republicans.
"The Donald" says some wacky things that likely make political strategists in Washington cringe, but a run by the New York billionaire has the potential to shake up the 2012 presidential race. Some are even comparing his possible entry to the run independent Ross Perot, himself a wealthy businessman, made in 1992. Perot got 19% of the popular vote, running on the platforms of smaller government and greater fiscal responsibility, two issues Trump has talked a lot about. And two issues that still have not been addressed.
Here’s my question to you: Does America need a wild card like Donald Trump in the 2012 presidential race?
Tune in to the Situation Room at 5pm to see if Jack reads your answer on air.
And, we love to know where you’re writing from, so please include your city and state with your comment.
@jackcafferty on Twitter
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