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Trump for President? How a serious run could change the primaries

Donald Trump is, again, saying he is seriously considering running for president. How will it be received if he actually does?

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Kevin Lamarque/Reuters/File
Donald Trump speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) at National Harbor in Maryland on February 27, 2015.

While it may be another case of “crying wolf,” real estate mogul Donald Trump has once again inserted himself as a possible contender for the 2016 presidency.

Trump told Bloomberg Politics that there is an 80 percent chance of him running in the Republican primaries, leading some to believe he may be considering a serious run at the candidacy.

Regardless of whether or not others view him as a serious contender, could he actually affect the presidential race if he were to run?

To help determine whether or not he should run, Trump said he formed an exploratory committee, as well as hired staff in Iowa, South Carolina, and New Hampshire, some of the first states to hold Republican and Democratic presidential nominating contests.

However, many critics believe that Trump will not run. Conservative political commentator Bill O’Reilly told Trump in January that he doubts he will follow through and pursue the presidency. But, he also said that if he did decide to run, it would add a much needed strong voice to the mix.

“I don’t think you’re going to run for president, but let me say this. I like the fact that you’re there. I like the fact that you’re not afraid to say what’s on your mind. I think we need that in a presidential race,” Bill O’Reilly told Trump on his show.

Trump is the first to agree that his voice is needed in the conversation.  

“We have lost the respect of the entire world,” he said in reference to the United States, reported The Christian Science Monitor. “I am the only one who can make America truly great again!”

Peter Grier of The Christian Science Monitor said that “Trump will move to Maine and raise beets before he runs for president.” He also said that Trump may begin to lose support of the GOP overall if he continues to push for the presidential bid. Why?

“Because Republicans want to win the White House and party elders see Trump as a self-promoter who’s getting in their way,” Grier wrote.

Bill O’Reilly said that if by some chance the race came down to Trump, Sarah Palin, and Chris Christie, it may be more like a “reality show” than a presidential campaign. The list of Republicans eyeing the 2016 presidency is growing: Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker, former Florida Governor Jeb Bush, Florida Senator Marco Rubio, and South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham.

These candidates have more experience in the political arena, and perhaps Trump is overestimating his public popularity. He’s going to have to do a lot of convincing if he hopes to seriously move forward with a presidential run.

“Everybody feels I’m doing this just to have fun or because it’s good for the brand,” Trump told The Washington Post. “Well, it’s not fun. I’m not doing this for enjoyment. I’m doing this because the country is in serious trouble.”

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