Businessman, builder, television host Donald Trump appears to be relishing his role as a go-to guy in the Republican party. He was in Chicago Tuesday selling his new book and rating the GOP's front-running presidential candidates.
"The nicest thing is they're not even asking for my money," said Trump. "They want my endorsement but not my money."
Between plugs for his new book, the businessman Trump, who earlier this year was a presidential candidate himself, talked about Republican contenders Newt Gingrich and Mitt Romney as though they were the only ones left the party's primary race.
First, Trump on Gingrich:
"He's resonated. He's decisive," Trump said. "He's made strong decisions and people are liking him."
Then this about Romney:
"He certainly is a capable guy. He's run a good campaign. But? It doesn't seem to resonate."
The 65-year-old billionaire, who answered questions at his Trump Tower hotel/condominium in River North, says the Republican primary is far from over and he will formally endorse one of its candidates for president at some point next year.
Interestingly, Trump has not completely ruled out himself.
"It's always a possibility. A lot of people want me to do it, I can tell you that. But, I'm not looking to that," Trump said. "I'm looking for a great person to be nominated."
In the meantime, television host Trump has agreed to moderate an upcoming debate in Iowa. He isn't worried about his own credentials to do so or upstaging the candidates.
"They said, Would you do it? Would you consider doing it?' And I said, 'Hey, look, it's different, and in life you want to do things a little different.' So, I agreed to do it, and I'm happy about that," said Trump.
Many Democrats are happy that Trump continues to play such an active role in Republican party presidential politics.
Also, some republicans complain that former candidate Trump cannot be fairly moderate a debate. Candidate Ron Paul, for one, says he won't participate where Trump is involved.
