So far the biggest news to emerge from the annual CPAC conference was a surprise appearance by Donald Trump and the announcement he is considering a presidential run in 2012. CPAC is the conservative political action conference, an annual gathering of conservative and libertarian activists that has historically set the tone for Republicans and conservatives ahead of each election cycle. While some may dismiss Trump as a “celebrity”, his money, influence and proven record of success mean that were he to enter the race it would instantly be a game changer. Other potential GOP hopefuls would do well to watch what Trump does in the next few months.
Trump made billions as a real estate developer and casino owner before his current gig as host of popular reality show, “The Apprentice”. During his speech he focused on his vast experience meeting with foreign trading partners and the often contentious relationship between the United States and the OPEC oil cartel. He stated the US has recently become the “whipping post” of the world and we are no longer taken seriously by our partners and peer competitors around the world. In a follow up appearance on Fox and Friends today on the Fox News Channel, Trump was asked about events in Egypt. He responded by insinuating that Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak has been stealing some of the billions in annual humanitarian and military aid the US provides to Egypt each year.
Perhaps the most headline grabbing line of Trump’s appearance at CPAC was when he flatly stated that “Ron Paul cannot get elected”. This was in response to hecklers in the crowd who repeatedly interrupted Trump’s speech with shouts of “Elect Ron Paul”. When asked about the remark Trump stated that he respects much of what Ron Paul has to say, but he has proven himself unelectable. Trump also included a line that got the crowd on their feet cheering when he shouted, “If I run and if I win, this country will be respected again”. He also promised to replace Obamacare with something that “makes sense”, get back billions from countries that are “screwing us” and make the US a “winner” again.
While the GOP has tended to settle on a favorite early and quickly coalesce behind that candidate, this year appears different. The field is wide open and many of the media anointed front runners appear flawed and without a broad base of support among conservatives and libertarians. To be successful in the 2012 presidential election and unseat President Obama, Republicans must find a candidate who can unite the various conservative and libertarian factions. This is no easy task, as a recent spat between some social conservatives and the gay Republican group GOProud demonstrates.
This year’s Republican nominee will need to focus on fiscal responsibility, limiting government overreach and restoring what many on the right view as the diminished standing of the US around the world. The right would like to see a candidate who is not afraid to pursue America’s interests both economically and diplomatically around the globe. While the candidate would need to hit most of the right notes on social issue in order to keep the social conservatives in the fold, this should not be a primary theme of the campaign.
Other potential candidates for the Republican nomination for president, such as Governor Mitch Daniels, R-IN and Tea Party favorite Congresswomen Michele Bachmann, R-MN, have recently been pursuing a strategy similar to what I have outlined above. Sarah Palin, R-AK, Mitt Romney, R-MA, Governor Tim Pawlenty, R-MN, and Newt Gingrich are also signaling presidential runs, but none has managed to excite a majority of Republicans. By choosing to appear at CPAC and dangle a potential run for the White House in front of a crowd of activists who a clearly searching for a standard bearer, Donald Trump may have instantly made himself a contender.
Comments
Watching his shows, he acts more like a dictator than anything. We do not need the likes of his ilk again.
Ron Paul is genuine, and if you believe in Liberty, vote for him, if you want more fascism, vote for whoever the MSM is pushing on you.
Ron Paul in 2012. The people are ready to hear his message. Trump is an EVIL man and will turn the USA into a dictatorship. He should stay in the reality TV world and stay out of the affairs of the United states.
I would love to see Donald Trump run for president and WIN. While I do agree with many of Ron Paul's suggestions, you have to admit that DT has proven that he's a no nonsense successful individual. I think he has the BRASS to do exactly what is needed to bring this country back to where it should be instead of a floor mat for the rest of the world. I am all about helping people and countries in need but let's take care of our own first instead of sending all of our monies (going deeper in debt) and our food products when we have homeless and starving people in our own country. This should never be! The American Public should treat each other as a family, and what family member would choose to save someone else first and let there own fall? Enough is Enough - You GO DONALD.
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