Ron Paul on Donald Trump: ‘I was the only candidate who didn’t kiss his ring’

影视帝国 tomove.com.cnMAP Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul reacted to New York real estate mogul Donald Trump’s endorsement of Mitt Romney by stating the he was “the only candidate that didn’t kiss his ring.” The Texas congressman is referring to his rival candidates’ private meetings held with Mr. Trump in 2011. Mr. Romney met with Mr. Trump in late September, although he refused to grant media access to his entry and exit to the meeting. With the exception of former Utah Republican Governor Jon Huntsman, all of Mr. Paul’s rival candidates held meetings with Mr. Trump in 2011. The meetings were viewed as each candidate’s attempt to obtain an endorsement from Mr. Trump, who would give his reaction to the meetings in various media interviews that followed. Mr. Huntsman and Mr. Paul were also two of the most vocal critics of Mr. Trump, objecting to participation in a presidential debate proposed by Newsmax, that would be moderated by Mr. Trump. Following that refusal, Mr. Trump has continuously slammed Mr. Paul and Mr最新热电影 . Huntsman when asked about them in media interviews regarding the Republican primary race. The star of the reality television show “The Apprentice,” Mr. Trump has created an audience for himself in the Republican Party. After pressuring President Barack Obama to release his birth certificate, hinting at a possible run for the Republican nomination in 2012, and being called upon to moderate a Republican presidential debate, he is largely considered a kingmaker in the Republican primary race. However, Mr. Paul is not impressed. “I can’t imagine why anybody talks about him, why do you talk about him?” said Mr. Paul Friday in an interview with Utah based Fox 13 News. “I don’t think he has that much credibility. I think I was the only candidate that didn’t 法国热片 ask for you know, a chance to kiss his ring. I never went up to see him. I don’t understand why people pay any attention to him.” Mr. Trump announced his endorsement of Mr. Romney at the Las Vegas location of Trump Towers, telling the former Massachusetts governor to “go get em.” Mr. Paul’s views of Mr. Trump opposite to how the majority of his rival presidential candidate opponents view the wealthy real estate mogul. Minnesota congresswoman Michele Bachmann met with him twice during her primary campaign, Texas Governor Rick Perry had dinner with Mr. Trump after surging in the fall, and pizza magnate Herman Cain met with him before suspending his campaign in December. Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich defended Mr. Trump after the majority of his rival candidates refused to participate in the Trump moderated Newsmax debate. Even former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin met with him, prior to announcing that she would not be running for the Republican nomination. Not only did Mr. Paul not seek a meeting with Mr. Trump, he said it would be “beneath the presidency” to participate in a Trump moderated debate. On Friday, in reaction to the extensive media attention to Mr. Trump’s endorsement香港热片 of Mr. Romney, the Texas lawmaker’s campaign staff sent an email to supporters dismissing the importance of Mr. Trump’s endorsement. “Please explain to Republican voters in Nevada why they should consider the opinion of a billionaire from New York who endorsed the arch enemy of all Republicans in Nevada, and really the enemy of all Republicans in the US,” said Mr. Paul’s campaign team in the email. “Hopefully, media reports of this event will include this delicious irony.”