BY ZACH TOOMBS
It’s become a routine campaign stop for Republican presidential candidates, and it’s not found in Iowa, New Hampshire or any other early primary state. We’re talking, of course, about a visit to The Donald.
FOX: “Presidential candidate Herman Cain just wrapping up a meeting with Donald Trump moments ago.”
CNN: “Rick Perry, he was in New York visiting ‘The Donald,’ also known as Donald Trump.”
FOX: "Mitt Romney is making what has become sort of a mandatory stop for any GOP presidential candidate -- the old meeting with Mr. Donald Trump here in New York."
Herman Cain became the latest candidate to stop by Trump Tower on Monday. Speaking with FOX News, he gave his reasons for visiting.
“I believe that, if he were to endorse me, that would be huge, because he’s a well-respected businessman, and because he has a platform that a lot of people listen to him.”
ABC News political consultant Ron Brownstein says Trump has the ear of Republican candidates because he already has the attention of many conservative voters.
“He really struck a chord with some Republican voters. I mean, Donald Trump now does really have an audience in the Republican party.”
Although a Trump endorsement would likely draw some supporters, a new poll suggests it could also turn many away from a candidate. Released last week by Fox News, the poll asked if a Trump endorsement would make a candidate more or less appealing.
MSNBC’s Chris Matthews has the answer.
“Scoring a dinner date with ‘The Donald’ might not be all that helpful to a 2012 candidate. According to the poll, 31 percent said an endorsement from Trump would make them less likely to support a candidate, with only 6 percent saying it would have a positive influence on their vote.”
Regardless of how effective Trump’s endorsement might be, if the last few weeks are any indication, Trump’s ability to make headlines remains as considerable as ever.
