(CNN) – Business mogul Donald Trump will be recognized as the 2012 Statesman of the Year by the Sarasota, Florida, Republican Party the day before the Republican National Convention opens in Tampa next month.
Tickets for the August 26 dinner go as high as $1,000 per person, which include a private meet-and-greet with Trump, according to an invitation flyer for the event.
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Trump has endorsed the presidential run of presumptive GOP nominee Mitt Romney, though Trump's repeated questioning of President Barack Obama's birthplace and birth certificate have overshadowed events where they have appeared together.
Trump initially flirted with his own run for the presidency, but dropped out of the field in the spring.
He has appeared this year at state-level Republican Party events, such as a fundraiser for the North Carolina GOP last month, where he stood by his so-called "birther" comments and said waging war with Iran may be "good politics" for the incumbent.
Rep. Vern Buchanan, who is the subject of four federal and Congressional investigations into his business practices, has donated at least $15,000 in conjunction with the event, according to the August invitation. Buchanan is the head of fundraising for the National Republican Congressional Committee, which works to elect Republicans to Congress.
- CNN's Steve Brusk and Gregory Wallace contributed to this report
From CNN Politics
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No doubt about it. They ARE crazy!!
It is predicted that "Business mogul Donald Trump will be .recognized as the 2012 Statesman of the Year", attributable to his strong performance in the swim-suit competition.
One of the definitions of a statesman is: a wise, skillful, and respected political leader – Trump is none of these – he shows his lack of wisdom in continuing the "brither BS" – his "skill" is a cheap imitation bought and paid for by his bullying and extortion of various forms directed toward anyone who opposes him, and as far as being respected HA, hahaha! he's a joke and now the RNC of Sarasota is a joke too!
I can't even think of a good punchline because the entire situation is a punchline to its own joke.
Great! Every such idiotic act lessens the chances of Mitt getting anywhere near the White House. More interesting is the news that Rep. Vern Buchanan, who is the subject of four federal and Congressional investigations into his business practices, has donated at least $15,000 in conjunction with the event, according to the August invitation and he is the head of fundraising for the National Republican Congressional Committee, which works to elect Republicans to Congress. Hope the NRCC is keeping a strict watch on the funds collected. Buchanan does not seem to be a guy who will invest $15000 in any venture unless he expects to make more than that in the venture!
Both Eisenhower and Reagan just rolled over in their graves. Nixon only shrugged.
Wow!, another feather in the GOP cap? LOL!
urp... Must have stumbled onto The Onion...
I say Paris Hilton for V.P.
There used to be a party called "the Republicans" that was the party of Lincoln and Eisenhower. It no longer exists.
This speaks volumes about the GOP. This guy is an empty, bronze clown. Letting him anywhere near something real is laughable. The sooner we relegate him back to shady real estate and reality TV the better for everyone.
I have had my laugh of the day. This blow-hard is no more of a statesman than my dog!! What a joke.
At the same ceremony, Allan West will be named "Witch Hunter of the Year" for discovering card-carrying Democrats in Congress.
I thought this was The Onion at first...OMG what a bunch of whackos. "The Donald" was born with a platinum spoon in his mouth. He has been roundly ridiculed in NY for his ostentatious behavior. And the birther nonsense is blatant pandering to the extreme right wing. A joke, indeed.
When I read the teaser I 'assumed' it was an award from Cobert or similar. Now, it's even funnier. How embarrassing for the reasonable people of Sarasota. There are sooooo many reasons to avoid Florida, weather, insects...but this tops them all.
Wow I guess the Supreme Court was right. Money is speech and Doanld Trump is King. If Donald Trump is a "Statesman" then the President of Syria should get the Nobel Peace Price
Yes, Sarasota is the hotbed of international relations. Isn't that were his big house is? Sounds like they wanted to give him something to show up. Did you hear, I was just named Human of the Year – by my dog! That is HUGE.
Basically, nothing that Republicans do surprises me any more. It is becoming clearer and clearer every day that right-wing ideology kills brain cells.
Costs money to meet clowns these days...
"It is obvious that the GOP does not know what a statesman is or they would not have named Donald."
Of course a lot of people will make it out to be a mockery...but you know, it might not be completely devoid of logic. You don't get to be a fabulously successful, fabulously wealthy business man without effective management and negotiation skills.
Pathetic Joker of USA.....a nonsense
Is there still anyone out there who doesn't think the repukes are nuts?
@REG in AZ: Your post regarding sociopaths and percentages is sad but true. One ray of hope: There are more registered Democrats than Republicans; all we have to do is get out and vote. The Repubs know this, which is why they have passed so many laws to suppress voters.
It is up to all Democrats, Independents and thinking Republicans to vote for President Obama and Democratic majorities in the House and Senate. We MUST continue moving our country forward!
Obama/Biden 2012
I had to read the story twice.
I wasnt sure if they meant "salesmen" of the year.
Why do I think that somehow his money bought into this whole situation??? How cynical can I get?....VERY !!! He very probably set this thing up himself.. Doesn't it just sound like a Trump trip?????
This is how cheap and how low the GOP has become. Rock bottom