Donald Trump called "tax-hiking liberal" for past positions

Updated at 11:40 a.m. ET

Now that polls are showing that Donald Trump could be a serious contender for the Republican presidential nomination, the real estate developer and reality television personality is getting serious blowback from conservative organizations that are questioning his Republican credentials.

Trump, however, is taking it all in stride.

The influential conservative group Club for Growth on Monday released a statement calling Trump a "tax-hiking liberal whose open flirtation with single-payer health care and warm embrace of protectionism disqualifies him from consideration by conservatives."

Club for Growth President Chris Chocola called Trump's potential presidential bid a "publicity stunt [that] will sputter and disappear just as quickly as the 'The Apprentice' is losing viewers."

Trump responded to the attack on ABC's "Good Morning America," dismissing the criticisms from Club for Growth.

"Me? A liberal?" he said. "What is the Club for Growth and who are they supporting?...I had heard that they have a favored candidate, whoever that may be."

In fact, the Club for Growth is a heavy political hitter. The Center for Responsive Politics notes that Club for Growth is one of the top all-time political donors from the period between 1989 and 2010 -- even though the group was only founded in 1999. In the 2010 election cycle alone, the group spent more than $8.2 million supporting conservative candidates like Pennsylvania's new senator, Pat Toomey.

The group pointed out that in his 2000 book "The America We Deserve," Trump wrote, "We must have universal healthcare... and longer term... find an equivalent of the single-payer plan."

Single-payer health care has long been the objective of liberals who would like to see a single government entity, like Medicare, provide health care for everyone.

On ABC, Trump said of his support for universal health care, "It's a long time ago. It's 11 or 12 years ago. And frankly, a lot of people agreed with it. A lot of conservative Republicans agreed with it, at that time. We have a different country today. We can't afford things that we could have afforded or that we thought we could afford many years ago."

"My plan now is to number one get rid of Obamacare," Trump added.

In his book, Trump also called for a one-time, 14.25 percent tax on individuals and trusts with a net worth over $10 million, which the Club for Growth called "a massive tax hike on Americans that would kill jobs and investment."

Trump explained that position by again citing the changed economic climate.

"Now, we're at a point where we are so fragile and so week economically as - as a country, it's a very, very scary thing," he said. "The last thing you can be do - is - doing is raising taxes."

Trump also explained his switch from supporting abortion rights to opposing them, saying his change of heart was inspired by a friend's situation.

"He would - did not want a child and his wife didn't want a child," Trump said. "And they were going to abort. And they didn't do it for very complicated reasons. And now they have the child. And it's the apple of his eye. And he said, 'Thank God.' He changed also, by the way. 'Thank God, I didn't do it.' And I've seen that, and I've seen other things. And I am pro-life."

In an interview that aired on MSNBC this morning, Trump maintained his populist position on global trade, which has also garnered criticism from the Club for Growth.

"I would tell China very nicely...we're going to put a 25 percent tax on all your products coming in," Trump said.

He also criticized Republican Rep. Paul Ryan's proposed 2012 budget plan, which most Republicans have praised.

"I'm very concerned about doing anything that's going to tinker too much with Medicare. I protect the senior citizens," Trump said. "I think Paul Ryan is too far out front with this issue."

With many questioning whether Trump could be a viable candidate, Trump suggested that President Obama is someone who takes him seriously.

"I know many people at the White House, and one in particular, and the last person he wants to run against is Donald Trump, that I can tell you," he said.

Trump today also kept up his call for Mr. Obama to release his birth certificate (even though the president has already provided his certificate of live birth, and there is ample evidence to show the president was born in the U.S.).

On ABC, he said he would publicly release his tax returns once the president released his birth certificate.

"Maybe I'm going to do the tax returns when Obama does his birth certificate," he said. "I'd love to give my tax returns. I may tie my tax returns into Obama's birth certificate."

[theaffluentsociety2]

if jesus were alive today, they'd call him a liberal. they'd call ghandi, washington, voltaire, benjamin franklin, lincoln, they'd call all of them liberal, as if its a bad thing.
ironically the only ones they dont call liberals are the actual liberal, free market capitalists, which is what liberal means in the rest of the world. lol but then, in America, **** doesnt have to make sense; it just has to sound good on tv for the rednecks and 'independants.'

[mikelpond]

and you smarty pants liberals probably think this is a problem for Mr Trump. Well, I'm here to tell you, we're republicans and we don't need no stinkin consistancy. (Plus, we can't remember what happened last week)

[digdeepernow]

Trump keeps trumping himself with more far out comments, and the fearful minded keep getting more paranoid and supportive of their fear-mongering leader. Nothing new here, just a new version of George Jr's crowd. One might call Mr. Trump, the new Red Alert of American scare tactics. Let's face it, fear-tactics can get a lot of politicians elected, and Trump seems to fit that MO.

[dodinyc]

I watched the interview with Stephanopolis and I couldn't help but think he seemed to be almost unhinged. And how can anyone who is seriously considering running for president on the Republican ticket not know who the Club for Growth is?

[san850]

I watched that interview as well and he did seem unhinged. I think this is just the beginning of skeletons coming out of his closet and he will likely have so many that he couldn't possibly make them all dance.

[northpark2]

Start up the VP Apprentice!

[SandmanUSMC]

The "Club for Growth" just lost all credibility with me.

America, stay focused on K street lobbyists. The health care lobbyists (insurance companies and their cohorts) have very deep pockets and are very interested in maintaining the wasteful, expensive health insurance bureaucracy that is still in place. In my opinion America needs to do one of two things:

1. Allow open competition by insurance companies across the USA while requiring more transparent pricing for services.

2. Completely bypass insurance companies and go with a single payer system like Canada.

The heart strings of most Republicans feel the first option (e.g. privatizing health care) is the solution, but that's really WHAT WE HAVE today. On paper it is a highly redundant structure and the redundant staffing and systems in use at various insurance companies is simply wasteful.

Donald Trump, for better (shrewd businessman) or worse (casino man), has recognized this. You can bet the conservative press will hammer him declaring a single payer system is the way to go. If you do the math yourself you'll discover he's right. He has tended to call things as they are. If he spells out his plan on this and beats the insurance industry at their own argument, he will get more independent votes.

Then again he just might cave on a back room deal with insurance companies and screw us all over again. Can a casino man be trusted? We'll have to keep our eyes on his actions.

[jefflz-2009]

Trump/Palin is the GOP "Dream-Team". Their election would end the role of the US in the modern world as we know it. Dumb and Dumber for the top offices- Yess!! Way to go Republicans!!

[ariz_1944]

in his 2000 book "The America We Deserve," Trump wrote, "We must have universal healthcare... and longer term... find an equivalent of the single-payer plan."

Without his 'Office Assistant' he Doesn't have a CLUE what he believes!!! WHAT A CLOWN!!!!!!

[aistob]

From the article:

>> Trump explained that position by again citing the changed economic climate.

"Now, we're at a point where we are so fragile and so week economically... <<

May I suggest "weak"?

[nobodyasked]

i'm not the president but when i needed my birth certificate for the veterans administration, i just went down to the department of health and got a new one with my id. perhaps it's too heavy for mr o b to carry. more secret bs from the administration.

as far as running for the president, i have mixed feelings for mr trump but i know he would really put o b to the test in a debate, and without a teleprompter.

[jimbom121]

So you got exactly what Obama has provided...what is your point?