Businessman Donald Trump told reporters in Des Moines this morning that he is a “very serious person” and is seriously considering a bid for the White House in 2016.
“I want to see this country be great again and I can do that,” Trump said.
Trump also dismissed both Jeb Bush and Mitt Romney as flawed candidates for the party. Romney was a “disaster” as the party’s nominee in 2012, according to Trump.
“Mitt Romney had his chance and he blew it. He just blew it,” Trump said. “Something happened to him in the last month of that campaign, whether he choked or something way bad happened to him and I don’t think Republicans can afford to give him another chance.”
As for Bush, Trump offered an equally harsh assessment.
“The last thing the country needs, and I’ve been saying it, is another Bush,” Trump told reporters. “…He’s not going to win and I think he’s going to have a very hard time getting the nomination because he’s in favor of common core. He’s very weak on immigration.”
Trump said he likes “very much” Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker and Texas Senator Ted Cruz, but Trump suggested Cruz may face questions because he was born in Canada. Trump told reporters New Jersey Governor Chris Christie “is a friend,” but Trump suggested Christie’s candidacy is weighed down by “Bridgegate” and “those issues have to be cleared up.”
Trump is scheduled to speak at today’s Iowa Freedom Summit.