We may see real power brokerage at the GOP convention with delegates as the capital - a new arbitrage tool for tRump. If he's savvy, Trump will have one of his media partners do a documentary of his primary path to the convention as a hybrid episode of Celebrity Apprentice, since for Trump, the Presidency seems already to be a lovely parting gift.
The 60 Minutes interview also revealed Trump's exit strategy as the CEO of America, that he could leave the Presidency early simply because he was disinterested in it. And as we saw from the Bush-43 years, the Veepstakes could get more pricey or costly. The Donald, unlike half-term governors, can see Brighton Beach from his porch, and maybe he's in it for the lifelong Secret Service protection.
And if that bit of triangulation wasn't enough, Bubba has weighed in on the possibility of Trump winning the GOP nomination. Scott Walker's exit signaled that a still overpopulous group of prospective candidates will be chasing less available money, the mother's milk of politics. Time to fish or cut brands.
President Bill Clinton says Donald Trump could win the GOP nomination thanks to his ability to promote a unique personal brand. “He’s a master brander,”Clinton said during an interview with CNN’s Fareed Zakaria on Saturday.“But he’s got a lot of pizzazz and zip, he’s branded himself in a clear way and he’s generated some excitement. And it remains to be seen what’s going to happen.”
Bill Clinton said he believes there is more enthusiasm on the Democratic side, where his wife Hillary Clinton is running.
"Both Hillary and Sen. [Bernie] Sanders [I-Vt.] have laid out detailed policy positions, talked about what they would cost," he said.
"You can actually have a debate there where you can discuss the relative merits of their positions on healthcare, generating jobs, lifting incomes or whatever. But over there, it seems to be more about resentments and one-liners."
... (60 Minutes yesterday)In Dallas this month, he nearly filled a 20,000 seat arena. Our poll shows that his support extends from Republicans to Independents, young and old, Evangelical and not. But his poll numbers did slip slightly last week. And nationally among all voters, majorities of blacks and Hispanics disapprove. Trump told us he will pay for his campaign all the way through the nomination.
Donald Trump: Yea, I'm totally willing to. I'm self-funding my campaign. Now once you get into nomination then the Republican Party kicks in and they raise all this money and they do whatever they have to do. But I am absolutely 100 percent doing it myself....
Scott Pelley: Millions of people are wondering right now whether you are serious or whether this is a reality show. Yesterday you said, if the presidency doesn't work out, I'll go back to my business.
Donald Trump: Well, that's true.
Scott Pelley: Do you intend --
Donald Trump: I mean, that's true. I can't guarantee that --
Scott Pelley: --to be president, or not?
Donald Trump: Totally. But that's true. I always like to have a downside. I love my business. I didn't want to do this. I just see our country as going to hell. And I felt I had to do it.