Businessman and reality TV star Donald Trump -- about to be wined, dined and honored in the Sunshine State -- continues to throw his name out as a potential Republican presidential candidate. He will arrive in Florida, home turf of potential 2016 rivals Jeb Bush and Marco Rubio, later this month.
On Thursday, Joe Gruters, the vice chairman of the Republican Party of Florida (RPOF) and the chairman of the Republican Party of Sarasota County, announced Trump would be getting the Statesman of the Year award from the Sarasota County GOP. Back in 2012, the Sarasota County GOP honored "The Donald" with the same award.
A statesman is a sage, skilled and seasoned leader. Importantly, a great statesman will have demonstrated great vision and perspective, Gruters noted on Thursday. Never before has this prestigious award been given to the same person twice, until now, and we do so because Donald Trump is a man who combines all the best attributes as a skilled leader, a visionary and a man of renowned business success. In the challenging times we face, Trump has demonstrated that he has the solutions to put people back to work by creating new jobs and he has a vision of a strong America.
As a conservative and a champion of free enterprise, Donald Trump is a fearless leader who commands attention and serious consideration from people of all partisan persuasions, Gruters added. He does not shy away from controversy and is courageous in promoting the fundamental principles that conservatives endorse and strive to achieve. With Mr. Trumps possible entry into the presidential race, Mr. Trump will no doubt play a large role in deciding which direction our country heads and he will help return us to the path of limited, constitutional government.
Trump is not the only possible contender in the 2016 presidential mix to have been so honored by the Sarasota County GOP. Last year, U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, who has already officially gotten into the 2016 presidential race, received the Statesman of the Year award. Other past honorees include former Gov. Haley Barbour, R-Miss., and conservative media figure Sean Hannity.
While he has thrown his name out before for the presidency, including in 2012 for the Republican nomination and in 2000 for the Reform Partys nomination, Trump has stayed out of presidential contests. Most political observers dismiss Trump as a possible presidential candidate, but in recent days he has been hiring staff in Iowa, home of the first caucus, and South Carolina, which holds an important primary after New Hampshire. At the end of March, Trump hired staff in New Hampshire.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or follow him on Twitter: @KevinDerbySSN
