Trump Bows Out Of Newsmax Debate

Real estate mogul Donald Trump announced Tuesday that he will no longer moderate a debate sponsored by the conservative magazine Newsmax.

In a statement, Trump said that the decision was necessary in order to keep the door open for a possible 2012 run.

“It is very important to me that the right Republican candidate be chosen to defeat the failed and very destructive Obama Administration, but if that Republican, in my opinion, is not the right candidate, I am not willing to give up my right to run as an Independent candidate,” Trump said. “I must leave all of my options open because, above all else, we must make America great again!”

Trump noted that several candidates were unwilling to appear unless he formally rejected a White House bid.

Tapping Trump as a moderator garnered criticism from some candidates and pundits right off the bat. Long shot GOP hopeful Ron Paul, who had previously feuded with Trump, immediately announced that he would not be attending the debate, claiming Trump’s involvement was beneath the office of the Presidency. Eventually, participants dwindled, with Newt Gingrich and former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum as the only candidates slated to appear.

The debate was scheduled for December 27th, just days before the Iowa caucus. According to Trump, the discussion was poised to have been “the most watched” debate this campaign season as well as “the most substantive and interesting.”