Republican Group To Name Donald Trump “Statesman Of The Year”

Sadly, this is not from The Onion: 

Ahead of the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Florida, in August, the Republican Party of Sarasota County is giving Donald Trump its ”Statesman of the Year” award. What makes the birther-ranting businessman worthy of such esteem?

“He’s a sage, skillful and respected leader” who is doing “all he can to take our country back,” Sarasota GOP Chair Joe Gruters told TPM. “At the end of the day, he’s one of the few people in the country who can command respect from people of all walks of life.”

A regular guest on Fox News and a prolific tweeter, Trump is never far from the headlines. A little more than a month ago, Trump revived his birther campaign, telling CNBC that “nothing’s changed my mind.” On May 29, hours before Trump was scheduled to hold a fundraiser with Mitt Romney, CNN’s Wolf Blitzer told the real estate mogul that he’s “starting to sound a little ridiculous.”

No matter. Gruters said he is “proud” to give Trump the award. No one issue led to Trump getting the prize, he said, adding that the birther matter is “irrelevant.”

More than 600 people are expected to attend the event on August 26. Tickets range from $150 to $1,000 for a “executive ticket,” which includes a meet-and-greet and photo with Trump.

They’re doing it for the money, I’m sure, and they have no idea how ridiculous this makes them look. This would also seem to suggest that, whether nor not he has a speaking role, Donald Trump will be a presence, and an attraction for the media during the Republican Convention. That will end well, I’m sure.

FILED UNDER: 2012 Election, US Politics, , , , , , , , , ,
Doug Mataconis
About Doug Mataconis
Doug Mataconis held a B.A. in Political Science from Rutgers University and J.D. from George Mason University School of Law. He joined the staff of OTB in May 2010 and contributed a staggering 16,483 posts before his retirement in January 2020. He passed far too young in July 2021.

Comments

  1. al-Ameda says:

    More than 600 people are expected to attend the event on August 26. Tickets range from $150 to $1,000 for a “executive ticket,” which includes a meet-and-greet and photo with Trump.

    Trump should pay people to be there so that it at least appears that the event is well-attended.

  2. C. Clavin says:

    Statesman: Usually a politician, diplomat or other notable public figure who has had a long and respected career at the national or international level.
    Carnival Barker: A person who attempts to attract patrons to entertainment events, such as a circus or funfair, by exhorting passing public.
    You decide.

  3. Tsar Nicholas says:

    Bad demographics + idle time, idle minds + a craven desire for money = very poor decision making.

  4. Moosebreath says:

    “They’re doing it for the money, I’m sure”

    I think not. For a large portion of the Republican base, Trump being a birther is a selling point.

  5. rudderpedals says:

    The Sarasota GOP brought us Katherine Harris. We in town accordingly set very low expectations for it.

  6. anjin-san says:

    Trump is pretty representative of contemporary GOP politics. He deserves a seat at the table.

  7. Fiona says:

    Why anyone would pay to see Trump if it didn’t involve a chance to piss on him is beyond me.

  8. LaMont says:

    Doug Oh Doug,

    To be fustrated by this news would suggest that you really don’t believe the republican party as a whole has gone crazy. Do you believe that this is the party it was even 5 years ago?

  9. OzarkHillbilly says:

    “He’s a sage, skillful and respected leader” who is doing “all he can to take our country backthe rest of the country,”

    FTFY, idgit.

  10. Jeff Dunetz says:

    THEY’RE FIRED

  11. Phillip says:

    Doug stole Rodney’s next OTB Caption Contest picture!