February 10, 2011 4:23 PM

Donald Trump: Ron Paul Can't Win

By
Stephanie Condon
Topics
Republicans ,
Campaign 2012

Donald Trump, speaks at the Conservative Political Action conference (Credit: Getty Images)
Businessman and television personality Donald Trump says that America needs a winner to run against President Obama in the next election - and libertarian icon Ron Paul isn't it.

"Ron Paul cannot get elected, I'm sorry," Trump said to a rowdy audience at the Conservative Political Action Conference in Washington, D.C. today.

The remark elicited a huge commotion from the crowd, which was packed with young fans of the Texas Republican, who made a splash in the 2008 Republican primary by gaining the fervent support of libertarians but ultimately won minimal support. Paul's political action committee put together an extensive campaign to bring his young supporters to this week's conference, which is considered a platform of sorts for potential presidential contenders.

While Paul's young fans booed, a large portion of the crowd - surely growing impatient with Paul's continuing presence at CPAC (he won the straw poll last year) - rose to their feet and cheered Trump.

Trump was prompted to address Paul's chances of winning after some in the audience began cheering for Paul during Trump's speech.

(Watch his remarks at left.)

"Considering the shape the United States, we need a competitive person, a highly competent person" to run for president, Trump said, to which some shouted, "Ron Paul!"

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After the crowd continued to cheer and boo for some time, Trump said, "I think he is a good guy, but honestly, he has just zero chance of getting elected."

Trump used most of his speech to tout his own credentials.

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"I'm well acquainted with winning, and that's what this country needs," he said.

He said he will decide by June whether or not to run for president.


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Stephanie Condon is a political reporter for CBSNews.com. You can read more of her posts here.


Add a Comment See all 24 Comments
by richardbewley January 1, 2012 2:21 PM EST
Why is Dr. Paul unelectable? Some say his ideas won't work, they're crazy, they're dangerous. But occupying nations and policing the world is safe and effective? Yes, Dr. Paul is proposing a radical shift, but what people fail to realize sometimes is that what we have going on right now IS radical and can never work. We're buying time, and it's getting more and more expensive to buy that time.

We do need a revolution, and it's not supposed to be easy. It just has to be done.
Reply to this comment
by dudanation December 25, 2011 12:56 AM EST
I'm quite sure is paid to make sure Paul doesn't win. If Paul wins, he will run as an independent to try and swipe votes from the GOP side who are not as fond of paul but still want to make sure Obama doesn't win. The result in their minds would be less votes to Paul, more votes to Obama, and thus Obama victory. this is an idiot theory if trump actually thinks paul can't win. if Paul can't win, neither can trump as an independent. Does he really think he can beat Obama and Paul? haha. He's a joke, he would lose against Obama if he had the GOP nomination, that's why he's not in the primaries!

I say bring it on Trump. Your loser face on the ballot isn't going to stop paul. you may be a slimy loser candidate with money who thinks he can buy the votes, but when the contest is a Liar versus an idiot versus the truth teller, I'm quite sure you know who's going to win.

Ron paul 2012.
Reply to this comment
by jomitast December 15, 2011 1:03 PM EST
"If you are an Independent and can vote in a GOP primary, vote Paul. If you are a Republican concerned about the degeneracy of the GOP, vote Paul. If you are a citizen who wants more decency and honesty in our politics, vote Paul. If you want someone in the White House who has spent decades in Washington and never been corrupted, vote Paul".
Andrew Sullivan
Reply to this comment
by Travlinski December 14, 2011 8:39 PM EST
Trump your ignorant to Ron Paul if you feel this way! He is a patriot, a modern day founding father. He is for sound money, free markets, personal liberties and a constitutional foreign policy. What's not to like about his views? He is a true fiscal conservative and is textbook integrity. It is sad you have your blinders on.
Ron Paul will win Iowa, New Hampshire & Florida!! Wake up South Carolina!!
Reply to this comment
by JagerHitsULater December 10, 2011 9:47 AM EST
Trump is a Joke, And a Democratic Shill. He says "Ron Paul has Zero Chance" but If Ron Paul wins the Nomination Trump will run to try to derail some of the GOP vote so Obama has a chance at re-election. Trump knows as well as the rest of us Newt has 0 Chance vs Obama, and Romney's are pretty low as well.
Reply to this comment
by Reube11 April 5, 2011 9:16 PM EDT
Ron Paul can win this time, and he has my vote. I made the mistake of voting for Obushma last time -- and now I see that Ron Paul is our only hope for any kind of meaningful change.

Trump? Go away!
Reply to this comment
by swill8295 March 23, 2011 12:06 PM EDT
Donald Trump might have blew it with that insult. He sounds like a bully. I might have actually thought better about him before he said what he said about Ron Paul.

Dare I say it, but because of Trump's slip up, I think Ron Paul has more of a chance of becoming president. We NEED Ron Paul! Not to mention, if Donald Trump and Ron Paul were in a debate, Ron would intelligently make Donald look foolish. He wouldn't try to humiliate Donald, but he just would. Think long and hard about this one America. Let's make history, and vote Ron Paul, proving that Davids still do slay Goliaths.
Reply to this comment
by jjmar1 February 24, 2011 11:19 PM EST
Ron Paul only has one idea folks, not this "good ideas and bad ideas" concept. He believes in the Constitution and Liberty for ALL. Sure he has his beliefs but he is not one to force those beliefs into law, thats for us (districts/states) to vote and decide. "never vote for legislation unless the proposed measure is expressly authorized by the Constitution." -Ron Paul. Thank you Dr. No. That makes me less afraid of my government.

To end.."The policy of the American government is to leave their citizens free, neither restraining nor aiding them in their pursuits." and "When the people fear their government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty." Thomas Jefferson.
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by Jezz222 February 15, 2011 10:19 AM EST
1. I am Ron Paul Supporter. 2. I agree it is difficult for Ron Paul to win. 3. If this clown trump will run against Osama, he will surely lose. Why? Because knowing who tump in business which is he is successful by being iron solid and raising to the top by stepping on dead bodies, I will never vote for him. Thus i will vote for osama. So as far as I'm concerned this is a set up and osama will win.
Reply to this comment
by Xoinx February 12, 2011 2:32 PM EST
Trump is right: Ron Paul cannot be elected.

What Trump neglected to mention, however, is that neither can anyone else in that room. The GOP might as well throw up its hands, nominate Palin, and let the Tea Party movement run its course.
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