Donald Trump: Republicans' worst nightmare?
After topping a new 2012 hopefuls poll, the obstreperous real estate magnate threatens to run as an independent if he doesn't win the GOP nomination
Donald Trump claimed last week that he's the "Democrats' worst nightmare." But after telling The Wall Street Journal that he would "probably" run as an independent candidate if he does not win the 2012 GOP presidential nomination, Trump is more likely haunting the dreams of prominent Republicans. Many are dismissing the real estate mogul's flirtation with the presidency as a publicity stunt, but Trump tied with Mike Huckabee as the top 2012 GOP contender in a recent poll and Republicans worry that he'll split party votes as an independent candidate. Is Trump trouble for the GOP? (Watch an MSNBC discussion about Trump's potential run.)
Yes. Republicans will be losing sleep over this: The only difference between Trump and Ross Perot, says Ed Morrissey at Hot Air, "seems to be that Perot was a better businessman." A Trump "vanity campaign" would be a "nightmare scenario for Republicans in this cycle" — likely handing Obama a second term by "splitting the anti-Obama vote." Isn't there a way the GOP can "nip this in the bud"?
"Trump says he'd probably run as independent if he doesn't win Republican nomination"
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
No. Trump is doing great things for the GOP: Au contraire, says Kyle Wingfield at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. "Trump is doing Republicans a big favor right now" by dominating media coverage and "taking up all the oyxgen." We're still 18 months away from the general election. The fewer opportunities Mitt Romney and other candidates have to "say things they end up regretting, or having to take back or flip-flop on," the better.
"Too much Trump? Not for the other GOP candidates."
Blame greedy politicos for Trump's third-party dreams: Trump is flirting with an independent run, says John Ellis at Business Insider, because hungry political consultants are "bombarding" him with optimistic analyses in the hope he'll be their "entire meal ticket for this election cycle." As soon as he grasps the "con" — and realizes there's no conceivable way he could win as an independent — he'll understand his political ambitions are a fever dream.
"What's really going on with Donald Trump"
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
'Horror stories of women having to carry nonviable fetuses'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
Haiti interim council, prime minister sworn in
Speed Read Prime Minister Ariel Henry resigns amid surging gang violence
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Today's political cartoons - April 26, 2024
Cartoons Friday's cartoons - teleprompter troubles, presidential immunity, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Arizona court reinstates 1864 abortion ban
Speed Read The law makes all abortions illegal in the state except to save the mother's life
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Trump, billions richer, is selling Bibles
Speed Read The former president is hawking a $60 "God Bless the USA Bible"
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The debate about Biden's age and mental fitness
In Depth Some critics argue Biden is too old to run again. Does the argument have merit?
By Grayson Quay Published
-
How would a second Trump presidency affect Britain?
Today's Big Question Re-election of Republican frontrunner could threaten UK security, warns former head of secret service
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
'Rwanda plan is less a deterrent and more a bluff'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By The Week UK Published
-
Henry Kissinger dies aged 100: a complicated legacy?
Talking Point Top US diplomat and Nobel Peace Prize winner remembered as both foreign policy genius and war criminal
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Last updated
-
Trump’s rhetoric: a shift to 'straight-up Nazi talk'
Why everyone's talking about Would-be president's sinister language is backed by an incendiary policy agenda, say commentators
By The Week UK Published
-
More covfefe: is the world ready for a second Donald Trump presidency?
Today's Big Question Republican's re-election would be a 'nightmare' scenario for Europe, Ukraine and the West
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published