WASHINGTON — Sure, he’s out of the GOP presidential race, but The Donald isn’t content to sit on the sidelines. Donald Trump wants a say in who gets the nomination, so he’s hosting a presidential debate, holding out the prospect of his endorsement and threatening an independent run.
All that has some conservatives grousing that Trump’s involvement is tarnishing the GOP’s image.
“GOP candidates would be foolish to show up at Trump’s clown circus/debate. Walk away,” GOP strategist Mike Murphy advised on Twitter.
Republican strategist Karl Rove added on Fox News: “What the heck are the Republican candidates doing showing up at a debate with a guy who says, ‘I may run for president next year as an independent’?”
Trump is undeterred. On Monday, he met with Newt Gingrich, the latest presidential contender to visit Trump’s New York offices in search of support, and he released a campaign-style book of his views on the economy and the media.
In a round of TV interviews, he blistered many of the GOP candidates, saying that former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney “doesn’t get the traction” he needs to nail down the nomination and calling Rep. Ron Paul and former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman “joke candidates.”
Given the field, Trump said, “I would certainly think about running as an independent.”
