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John L. Smith
Romney gets Trump's endorsement ... wonder if that'll help
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This is what you might call "very poor" timing.
Accused of being out of touch with plain folks and insensitive to the "very poor," Republican presidential front-runner Mitt Romney on Thursday embraced an endorsement from America's Mr. Everyman, real estate mogul and TV show celebrity Donald Trump.
Romney this week courted controversy following his Florida primary win when he told CNN, "I'm not concerned about the very poor. We have a safety net there. If it needs repair, I'll fix it." Romney said he was more concerned about the middle class.
But the line has fed the perception in the press, stoked by the Democrats, that Romney doesn't much relate to the poor and working class.
Trump's endorsement arrived ahead of Saturday's GOP presidential caucuses in Nevada, where the latest Las Vegas Review-Journal poll indicates Romney probably will roll to an easy victory. The official announcement was made at Trump International Hotel, another glittering symbol that we're all in this together, whether you're a billionaire or merely a millionaire.
The announcement cleared up confusion over just which candidate Trump would endorse. Some news outlets first reported The Donald would give his seal of approval to Newt Gingrich. That turned out to be as empty as Trump's own presidential campaign, which drew a big crowd last year at Treasure Island. Back then, Trump's expletive-laced speech proved he wasn't a serious contender for anything outside the reality TV ratings, but the crowd ate up his jingoistic rhetoric in big bites.
Today's question is, does Trump's endorsement boost Romney even in Nevada, where he apparently doesn't need the help?
After noting The Donald had a 64 percent unfavorable rating when he exited the GOP presidential circus last year, CNN's Wolf Blitzer asked a similar question of Trump on Thursday.
"I guess it's going to help him," Trump said. "Everybody wants it."
XTREME NEWT: Former House Speaker Gingrich filled his morning with a stump speech at Don Ahern's Xtreme Manufacturing on Bonanza Road and a Hispanic business roundtable at Mundo restaurant in the World Market Center.
In December, Ahern Rentals filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection with approximately $620 million in funded debt. Xtreme, meanwhile, continues to turn out heavy equipment.
Ahern employees stood with Gingrich supporters to fill the main floor of the plant, which produces supersized forklifts and portable steel buildings.
"It's not just what he says currently," Gingrich stalwart David Spencer said. "It's what he's done in the past. He's got credibility that no other presidential candidate has, in my opinion."
SUPER BETS: Legendary sports bettor Lem Banker, who goes so far back that he's rumored to have actually raised the first pig used as a pigskin, likes the Patriots and the under in Super Bowl XLVI.
I'm not saying Lem is old, but I hear he bet a bundle on Lincoln in the Lincoln-Douglas debates.
Meanwhile, handicapper Chris Jordan likes the under 1:35 for Kelly Clarkson's time to complete the national anthem. Yes, you can bet on just about everything in the Super Bowl.
THE RACE: If the thought of the GOP caucus makes you want to run away, or even walk way at a brisk pace, then you'll want to participate in Kendall Tenney's 11th annual Run for a Wish on Saturday morning at Town Center. With proceeds benefiting the Make a Wish Foundation, the 1-mile walk and 5K race are 99 percent free of speeches. Best of all, you can sign up on Saturday morning, and no one will ask your political affiliation.
ON THE BOULEVARD: Gingrich was scheduled to stay at the incredible horse ranch and home of longtime Las Vegas contractor Tommy Ford and wife, Judy. ... Speaking of homes, casino billionaire Sheldon Adelson's new palace is under construction and appears to be by far the largest structure inside the sparkling Tournament Hills neighborhood.
Have an item for the Bard of the Boulevard? Email comments and contributions to Smith@reviewjournal.com or call 702-383-0295. He also blogs at lvrj.com/blogs/smith.
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Mormon freak, like you got any chance, you Moron freak, easy win for Obama, GO DEMOCRATS, your next Joe Heck!!!!
TRUMP flipflops as often as he changes his underware, tomorrow he will try and endorse his DOG. What a JOKE he is.
Nothing screams "Middle Class" more than an endorsement from "The Donald."
I would like to believe that a Trump endorsement might help. The guy is the "Come-back Kid" of super millionaire moguls. But it's hard to put too much emphasis on a confidence vote from a wealthy self-made guy, with that silly hair. I have a feeling that The Donald is shopping for a Vice Presidency nomination with one of the top-tier "Pres-ential Can-ni-nits" (as Gretta Van Sustern of FOX News annoyingly calls them).
It’s time for a reminder of the Fox News poll that showed a Trump endorsement is more likely to result in less support for the candidate he throws in with.
Since Donald Trump toyed with running for president earlier this year, several Republican candidates have made a point of meeting with him. Even so, hardly any voters — 6 percent — say they would be more likely to vote for a candidate endorsed by Trump. In fact, by a 5-to-1 margin a Trump endorsement is more likely to have a negative impact.
Almost twice as many Republicans say a Trump endorsement would make them less likely to vote for a candidate than say it would encourage their support.
In short, if you’re Gingrich supporter, you’ll probably want Trump to endorse Romney. And if you’re a Romney supporter, you’ll probably want Trump to shut up.
http://www.theblaze.com/blog/2012/02/02/reminder-trump-endorsement-is-going-to-hurt/
It’s unseemly for someone like Romney, who is running as a serious executive, to associate himself with Trump. It undermines Romney’s message that he is the responsible adult in the GOP presidential race.
Moreover, Trump is certain at some point to say outrageous and embarrasing things, which then become messes for the Romney team to clean up. He is all risk and no gain. After all there can’t be many actual voters who think: “Gosh I was going to vote for Newt Gingrich but now that Trump is going with Romney I’ll switch.”
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/right-turn/post/the-trump-trap/2012/02/02/gIQA2fGdkQ_blog.html
C'mon MG..you've NEVER thought your name attached to a political candidate had the teeny tiniest bit of influence? Even maybe in the academic circle between classes..or among sophomores who've just finished one of your books.. they're maybe angling for a better grade?
And another thing--why the fixation on racism all the time?
Can't people just disagree without things having to have a racial component? We've had a black president for 3 years now. All is right with the world. Except his policies and perspectives are whacked..but that's because he's a lefty, not because of his race.
Ah well...how goes the museum?
Alvinjh, I would never think that MY endorsement would mean anything to anyone. I have no reason to. But then again, I haven't spread lies and racism like Donald has, so I'm sure Mitt Romney wouldn't want my endorsement.
To: John L. Smith: That was a nicely typed article, but there is only one sure thing I got out of it and that is; You don't know what the heck you are talking about. Why is it bad timing?, because you say so. Who are you? You don't have your pulse on anything, you're guessing, filling up space with innuendos. Stick to the classifieds. Next time you go to Mrs. Ruby's Crystal Ball Palace for you info, tell her you want your money back.
OK Michael that was innuendo...trying to be subtle about tweaking you and not be..so in your face...um here is the plain vanilla version..no--Trump the opportunist's endorsement--means less than nothing--(except to the Mormon cooperative)...and is on a par with perhaps YOUR endorsement (should you choose to make it public and official) of the Obaman..and..further...after Obama unleashes the billion dollar fire bombing coming.. the only question will be who do we detest more..a simple matter for me and you..but for others..they'll be making up their minds on the way to the polls about who is more unpalatable....