Thursday, February 2, 2012

Run, Mitt, Run!

A half-witted, attention-craving clown is trying to endorse you!

And no, it is not Sarah Palin.

15 comments:

BOSMAN said...

look at the bright side. no 3rd party by trump.

Anonymous said...

This really does put Mitt in an awkward position, but what's a guy to do.

The Chistine O'Donnell endorsement didn't seem to do too much damage, but then we're not in the general yet.

-Martha

Anonymous said...

Yesterday the Newties were all excited when they thought a Trump endorsement would be going to Newt......now, typical hypocrisy from the crazies... they have flip-flopped.

Noelle said...

I am less than enthusiastic at the prospect of Trump endorsing Romney. I don't like Trump, and more to the point, I don't trust him. However, I'm trying to look on the bright side here, and while I don't like Trump, Fox News does like Trump. Thus far Fox News has been pretty down on Romney, while almost always giving Newt a free pass. My hope is that if Trump is sincere in his endorsement, he will encourage Fox News and its viewers to look again at Romney, and hopefully they will see the positive qualities that Romney's supporters already see.

Anonymous said...

I am just happy that this may take his 3rd party run off the table. If Trump came out supporting Newt and when Newt lost the party nomination,Trump would continue to string people along with the threat of a 3rd party run.

Alan said...

A Trump endorsement means nothing. It will not change one vote. What voter is going to say "Trump endorsed Romney? Wow. I'm going to vote for Romney now!" Just ask any in the ABR crowd. They will also tell you it won't change their minds.

Machtyn said...

Yesterday I got all excited that Trump was endorsing Gingrich. It seemed to me that the Newties wanted him and the Rombots didn't. But it has gone the other way. A facebook egg on my face.

But, Noelle, there is a bright side, and you touched on it.

Mitt Romney needs no help in NV, but Trump still has a LOT of influence in Las Vegas. It's in Adelson's backyard... caucus is at Adelson's location, etc. A Trump endorsement is an overall negative for the receiving candidate (according to a FoxNews poll in September). That's a problem, but only in the short term. After the effects wear off, you can't have a better blowhard touting the "Mr. Fix-it" line on the airwaves for you. (See the post on surrogates over on race42012.com.)

With Newt getting so much free air-time from Fox, Trump can be a decent flair advocate for Romney. Trump could get a +20 win for Romney. This is essentially pounding nails into Newt's coffin, shortening the primary race so that we can get onto the defeating of Obama.

With <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/election-2012/post/newt-gingrichs-nevada-campaign-appears-in-disarray/2012/02/01/gIQANPB7hQ_blog.html>Gingrich's team in NV in disarray</a>, this new disappointment is not going to be good optics. The other benefit is that this takes the optics away from Romney's supposed "gaffe". It could highlight, but I've not seen a whole lot of talk about it.

Still, I'd rather Newt stay out of it. But if he wants to defend Romney's hard work ethic, his ability to run a company and how that would translate into an effective Presidency, then why not?

@Alan: You are correct, it may not change any ABR people, but there are a lot more people that aren't political geeks like we and they are. They listen to Rush, watch Fox News, and follow the herd. Because Trump endorsed, they won't change their mind. But if they listen to the logic of Trump, Christie, Krauthammer, Rubio, and the others, perhaps they can be swayed to side with Romney. (See R412 post linked above.)

Slick-Willy said...

Trump is a narcissist. He wants to make the world believe that what he thinks is all-important.

He will back Romney so he can say, "In a tight race I backed Romney and he went on to win the next Xnumber of states and become the POTUS."

If he backs Newt it will be for $, to make sure the question about him running comes up again in April when Newt is out of the race.

Either way, this is about Trump, not the candidates. I think he's a despicable man, but he's good at what he does.

Anonymous said...

At this point, anything that helps deflate Newt is OK with me. The quicker his noxious, gas-filled balloon is burst, the better.

Trump is a businessman, real estate mogul, and gambling impresario, who has been a figure in NYC media headlines for as long as I can remember. Everything from his marriages, messy divorces, bankrupt casinos, and grand plans to revitalize the city—he’s a consistent metropolitan NY media draw. For all his failures, he’s also been a remarkable success, a public philanthropist, a flamboyant tycoon who is seeking not only headlines but also respect.

Trump is not my kind of guy, for sure. By the time November rolls around, he may even be supporting Obama. Stranger things have happened. But, for right now, no one could provide a greater contrast to Romney in personal style and political rhetoric. And even TRUMP supports Romney! For certain voters, that contrast and Trump’s endorsement will be a welcome fist bump. I know it’s counterintuitive—but only to us “elites.”

P.S. I wouldn’t underestimate the relish Trump is taking today in throwing a competitive jab at fellow casino owner Sheldon Adelson (Newt’s bankroller).

Machtyn said...

Slick-Willy: Ah, let Trump take credit for it. To the thinking among us, it only belittles himself.

Watch, when Romney wins the Presidency, you just might find Newt taking credit for that. After all, he toughened up Mitt for the GE with all the left wing attacks.

Doug NYC GOP said...

For Romney a Trump endorsement is a positve on many levels.

1) Always good to get a high profile endorsement – they generate good buzz.

2) Having criticized Romney before a Trump endorsement shows a unification.

3) Trump brings in those disaffected (sorry to use a term I really despise) blue collar, Fox News types who like Trumps bravado.

4) It has to be a blow to Newt to think up to last night you were getting the no, only to see those hopes dashed this morning. When you are trying to consolidate the “Angry Right” this is a setback to momentum

5) Trumps BIG personality and circus style will help drive the “Care About the Poor” story off the front burners.

6) If Fox does cut back on Trumps appearances, that may be an blessing, as he does irritate me after awhile. I like him but in small doses.

Anonymous said...

I don't think a trump endorsement of mitt is a net gain for Mitt. BUT, it did manage to make the newt camp look like real wallys when they put out the press 'leak' last night that Trump will be endorsing Newt last night. Newt brags that while he does not have money, he has 'people'. He might want to hire some competent people.

Ellie

Doug NYC GOP said...

Ellie,

Newt has...

No people
No plan.
No ideas.
No class.
No chance.

Katrina L. Lantz said...

You're all looking at this the wrong way. I'm not a Trump fan, either, but here's why this is a good thing:

Trump threatened to run third party if none of the Republicans were worthy. This endorsement guarantees that if we elect Mitt (which we're on track to do), he won't be running third party. WIN for Republicans everywhere!

Anonymous said...

Katrina, just wanna say you're hot!