The Donald Isn't Running

[linda22003]

Updated 1:29 p.m. Eastern Time

Donald Trump will not seek the Republican presidential nomination in 2012.


"After considerable deliberation and reflection, I have decided not to pursue the office of the Presidency," he said in a statement. "This decision does not come easily or without regret; especially when my potential candidacy continues to be validated by ranking at the top of the Republican contenders in polls across the country. I maintain the strong conviction that if I were to run, I would be able to win the primary and ultimately, the general election. I have spent the past several months unofficially campaigning and recognize that running for public office cannot be done half heartedly. Ultimately, however, business is my greatest passion and I am not ready to leave the private sector."

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-20063266-503544.html

[Starbuck]

Good.

At best he wasn't a good candidate. If he had run all the way, he may have had sort of a Perot effect (not to be confused with the Clouseau effect) and split the vote thereby handing 'Ol what's-his-name another four years of endless golfing, pontificating, promising, and hoping. :p

[hampshirebrit]

Were I a believer, I would say a heartfelt "thank God for that". Y'all know what I mean though.

[SarasotaRepub]

I told SLW he wasn't going to take the paycut. :D

[ralph wiggum]

Oh darn. :rolleyes:

[lacarnut]

Too much digging into his personal, professional and financial life turned him off. The press would have had a field day with that. Plus, he enjoys what he is doing.

I never thought he would run but he could have certainly spiced up the debates if he had.

[noonwitch]

The comedians are going to be sad about this.

[Constitutionally Speaking]

Whew!

[Odysseus]

So much for representation of that most miniscule of minorities, the orange-skinned. If George Hamilton doesn't throw his hat in the ring, it's all over for them. :D

[Hawkgirl]

Not surprised. He has "contemplated running" the past 7 or 8 elections.

[SaintLouieWoman]

Not surprised. He has "contemplated running" the past 7 or 8 elections.

Also it probably helped his ratings for Celebrity Apprentice. :D

I just wish some Republican with a bit of Trumps' fire would run. At least Trump smoked out that long lost long form birth certificate.

[Articulate_Ape]

I would just like to say how proud I am for being the catalyst that brought about this inevitability.