Trump, Saying Major Parties Are Adrift, May Seek Presidency

Real estate mogul and casino owner Donald Trump says he is considering a run for the White House not out of vanity but because “I am convinced the major parties have lost their way.”

In an opinion column published in Thursday’s editions of the Wall Street Journal, Trump cited two reasons for a possible presidential candidacy, mostly likely as a Reform Party candidate.

He noted first that Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura--the Reform Party’s most visible officeholder--has encouraged his candidacy. The second reason, he said, was commentator Patrick J. Buchanan, who is considering bolting the Republican Party to seek the Reform Party presidential nomination. “He has the virtue of plain speaking, but he often says stupid things,” Trump said.

Trump said he would run the country like a business based upon three principles: one term, two-fisted policies and no excuses.

Touting his years of business experience, he said he has the acumen needed to handle the economic downturn some experts are predicting for the near future.

“The Republicans are captives of their right wing. The Democrats are captives of their left wing,” Trump wrote in the newspaper. “I don’t hear anyone speaking for the working men and women in the center.”

Trump was not available for comment, a spokeswoman said.