Add another one to the long list of celebrities from TV and Hollywood who are seeking office as Republicans: Donald Trump is considering running for governor of New York. Why do these entertainment types, so devoid of American values, insist on using their celebrity smarm to manipulate us regular folks? And the Republican Party is just oozing with 'em!
Okay, now that I’ve debunked the “Hollywood liberal” crock that so many of us so often get rammed down our throats: what the hell is this? A publicity stunt? That’s what I thought of Schwarzenegger’s run for governor, too, so maybe I shouldn’t speak so soon.
Trump I could see winning the nomination. The New York Republican Party is in such dire straits these days, they could use a big-name celebrity with a wad of cash. Bill Weld is apparently a dud, and even if they do get Tom Golisano to seek the nomination, I can’t see him winning. There are a couple of other no-names with hats in the ring, too, but Weld, Golisano and Faso are pretty second-rate top-tier candidates.
I’ve been gunning to see Elliot Spitzer as governor for a while, and I’m still excited about it. Unfortunately for me I’ll be moving to Boston in a few months so I won’t get to vote for Spitzer, but the fact remains that he’d make a rockin’ good governor. Trump is a clod. New York needs a reformer, not a real estate developer. I don’t know what Trump is considering as a policy platform, but I can’t say I find him inspiring, running because the Republicans can’t find a candidate. Frankly, I’d rather see Jerry Springer in elective office. With Trump, everything he does feels like a stunt, and this potential run for governor doesn’t feel like an exception.
Errmm . . . What’s the debate? Is it, who would make a good governor of NY? Whether Trump will actually run? Whether celebs should be encouraged to stay out of politics?
Mm. You do raise a good point. Maybe this one belongs in the Pit. I think there’s a debate, but I didn’t really phrase one in my post, so that’s my mistake. Errare humanum set.
If anyone wants to deus ex machina this thread and create a debate, bring it on. Otherwise: Pitward and outward!
Springer was seriously considering running for Governor of Ohio next year (and would have done a better job than Taft), but decided the big money is still in TV.
Not sure if we’re veering into the Pit or not, but I’d haphazard a guess that the right-wing brain trust realizes that all they need are voter-attractive, vapid mouthpieces to get into office. Once elected, they can just peddle the policies that the Dick Cheneys and Rover Norquests cook up behind the scenes, using their appeal and star-power to sell the snake-oil.
True, but it must be remembered that, when he served, that position was one rotated between members of the Cincinnati City Council, and was not a directly elected position.
Rather ironically its become clear 10 years on that Trump is not a tool of the right-wing brain trust but instead a masterful political strategist who realizes what the Republican base really wants-including sticking it in the eyes of the Cheneys and Norquists of the world.