Donald Trump's big publicity stunt is over.
"After considerable deliberation and reflection, I have decided not to pursue the office of the Presidency," Trump said in a statement released by his political director, Michael Cohen.
"This decision does not come easily or without regret; especially when my potential candidacy continues to be validated by ranking at the top of the Republican contenders in polls across the country."
He made the announcement on his FOX News show last night.
"When people asked me what it would take for me to run, I would tell them the same thing—pray for me to have clarity in the decision. I don’t expect everyone to understand this, but I’m a believer and a follower of Jesus Christ. That relationship is far more important to me than any political office. For me, the discussion and decision is ultimately not a political one, a financial one, it's not even a practical one – it’s a spiritual one….Only when I was alone, in quiet and reflective moments did I have not only clarity, but an inexplicable inner peace—a peace that exceeds human understanding. All the factors say 'go,' but my heart says 'no.'"
Huckabee was on Fox News Sunday this morning and told host Chris Wallace: "Up until just a few days ago…I honestly thought I would be in it."
Watch him explain his decision further, AFTER THE JUMP.
Amy Myers, a high school sophomore from Cherry Valley, New Jersey, has challenged Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann to a debate on the U.S. Constitution, Minneapolis' City Pages reports.
Writes Myers in a letter to the congresswoman:
Though I am not in your home district, or even your home state, you are a United States Representative of some prominence who is subject to national media coverage. News outlets and websites across this country profile your causes and viewpoints on a regular basis. As one of a handful of women in Congress, you hold a distinct privilege and responsibility to better represent your gender nationally. The statements you make help to serve an injustice to not only the position of Congresswoman, but women everywhere. Though politically expedient, incorrect comments cast a shadow on your person and by unfortunate proxy, both your supporters and detractors alike often generalize this shadow to women as a whole.
Rep. Bachmann, the frequent inability you have shown to accurately and factually present even the most basic information about the United States led me to submit the follow challenge, pitting my public education against your advanced legal education:
I, Amy Myers, do hereby challenge Representative Michele Bachmann to a Public Forum Debate and/or Fact Test on The Constitution of the United States, United States History and United States Civics.
An acceptance is not expected, as City Pages notes: "Bachmann is famously reluctant to put herself in positions where she might have to talk to someone who disagrees with her."
Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX) announced he's seeking the Republican nomination for President on Good Morning America this morning. It's Paul's third run for the White House.
Watch Paul announce and talk about his reasons for running, AFTER THE JUMP…
Thrice-married adulterer Newt Gingrich tweeted that he's running for President a few moments ago, immediately crashing his website, where he instructed his followers to go watch him make the live announcement.
David Mixner has a helpful reminder list of Gingrich's anti-gay positions.
Gay presidential hopeful Fred Karger wants Republican voters in New Hampshire to know that (even though he was shut out of the SC debates) he's still playing ball frisbee. His latest spot (which I think is referencing Carly Fiorina's bizarre Demon Sheep ad) promises optimism and getting along — oh, and free stuff!
Watch, AFTER THE JUMP…
Gay presidential hopeful Fred Karger wants Republican voters in New Hampshire to know that (even though he was shut out of the SC debates) he's still playing ball frisbee. His latest spot (which I think is referencing Carly Fiorina's bizarre Demon Sheep ad) promises optimism and getting along — oh, and free stuff!
Watch, AFTER THE JUMP…
Republican Congressman Aaron Schock is baring his abs on the cover of Men's Health.
The full "Ripped Representative", as MH refers to him, AFTER THE JUMP…
Schock, 29, a freshman congressman from Peoria, Ill., is teaming up with the magazine for the Fit For Life Summer Challenge, and says you have to practice what you preach when it comes to proper diet and exercise.
"If you want to start talking about healthy lifestyles and staying in shape, then you yourself should do your best to try to be a model, an example to people you're trying to convince to do the same," he says.
Schock, who is single and a conservative Baptist, says he was headed down the wrong path himself at one point. "In college I could feel my body changing, and I knew that if I didn't make some changes, I was going to go in the wrong direction," he says.
It's not the first time the public has seen Schock's abs. TMZ posted a much-discussed poolside beefcake photo (right) back in 2009.
Our last visit with Schock (R-IL) was in February when he polished his anti-gay credentials and spoke out against Obama's announcement regarding DOMA.
Schock is a 'confirmed bachelor' who is "not" gay though he does occasionally express shame at his flamboyant wardrobe choices and has said that he hopes his chiseled abs will cause people to pause and listen to what he has to say on CNN.
Previously…
Rep. Aaron Schock 'Burned the Belt' That Made Him Look Gay [tr]
Congressman Aaron Schock Not Gay, Details Reconfirms… [tr]
CNN Turns the Focus to GOP Congressman Aaron Schock's Abs [tr]
Republican Congressman Aaron Schock (R-IL) is baring his abs on the cover of Men's Health.
The full "Ripped Representative", as MH refers to him, AFTER THE JUMP…
Schock, 29, a freshman congressman from Peoria, Ill., is teaming up with the magazine for the Fit For Life Summer Challenge, and says you have to practice what you preach when it comes to proper diet and exercise.
"If you want to start talking about healthy lifestyles and staying in shape, then you yourself should do your best to try to be a model, an example to people you're trying to convince to do the same," he says.
Schock, who is single and a conservative Baptist, says he was headed down the wrong path himself at one point. "In college I could feel my body changing, and I knew that if I didn't make some changes, I was going to go in the wrong direction," he says.
It's not the first time the public has seen Schock's abs. TMZ posted a much-discussed poolside beefcake photo (right) back in 2009.
Our last visit with Schock (R-IL) was in February when he polished his anti-gay credentials and spoke out against Obama's announcement regarding DOMA.
Schock is a 'confirmed bachelor' who is "not" gay though he does occasionally express shame at his flamboyant wardrobe choices and has said that he hopes his chiseled abs will cause people to pause and listen to what he has to say on CNN.
The full "Ripped Representative", as MH refers to him, AFTER THE JUMP…
Previously…
Rep. Aaron Schock 'Burned the Belt' That Made Him Look Gay [tr]
Congressman Aaron Schock Not Gay, Details Reconfirms… [tr]
CNN Turns the Focus to GOP Congressman Aaron Schock's Abs [tr]
Bill Maher let mainstream Republicans and conspiracy theorists have it in a major response rant to the capture and killing of Osama bin Laden.
“Now that it’s become clear that the Republicans, the fiscally conservative strong on defense party are neither fiscally conservative nor strong on defense, they have to tell us what exactly it is they’re good at. It’s not defense. 9/11 happened on your watch, and you retaliated by invading the wrong country, and you lost a 10 year game of hide and seek with Osama Bin Laden, and you’re responsible for running up most of the debt, which more than anything makes us weak.”
“You’re supposed to be the party with the killer instinct, but it was a Democrat who put a bomb in Gadhafi’s bedroom, and bullet in Bin Laden’s eye like Moe Green. Raising the question how many Muslims does a black guy have to kill in one weekend before crackers climb down off his ass? Let’s look at some facts. Now for you Fox News viewers feel free to turn down the sound until the flashing facts light at the bottom of your screen disappears.”
Check it all out, AFTER THE JUMP…
(via pam)
