As if to prove once-and-for-all to doubters that he's very serious about running for president, professional birthing investigator Donald Trump sat down for a very serious interview with Meghan McCain at The Daily Beast today. And to put it mildly, very serious hilarity ensued:
From question one, Trump seems confused: he asks if they're doing this for a radio show, then tells McCain, "Oh, OK, good. I like you. I see you a lot on television. I like you and I like your father, I’ll tell you. And I like your mother. I like your whole family. Hey look, I supported your family, right?" He says that the polls saying he was the leading Republican candidate were very gratifying, and refutes claims that he is only running to increase ratings of his TV show:
One of the pollsters actually said to me that my numbers would be better—and I’m leading in just about every poll—if people thought I was going to run, because a lot of people don’t think I’m going to run, and they think it’s because of The Apprentice. And I say, give me a break! The Apprentice has very high ratings. I don’t need this to get ratings. It’s already the top show on NBC. You understand that.
Then, McCain strokes his ego a bit, and then asks for a job:
Meghan: What’s interesting about you and your candidacy, I think that some people think it’s some sort of joke or publicity stunt. But even at dinner last night I was sitting with my friends, and it’s like the more people talk about it the more interested they are and the more convinced they are that you could be a nominee for the Republican Party. What I’m looking for is someone who’s not going to take bullshit, not going to let the media run them around, and who is going to give it back to Obama. And you seem to be the only person who’s really doing it right now.
Donald: I love your attitude. And I’ve seen your attitude, and that’s why I’m doing this interview.
Meghan: If you run for president, will you hire me for your campaign?
Donald: I like the idea! I love it! Will you do me a favor? See how I do, and you call me at the right time. I’m serious about it.
They both take turns bashing Mitt Romney a bit, they brush past the whole Obama birther bullshit stuff ("I’m more and more convinced he may not have been born here"), and then get into a strange, insider-baseball conversation about political advisers. The two old pals bash George Stephanopoulos a bit, then Trump asked McCain for some more help with running: "Those first three states are going to be very, very important. If you have some recommendations for those first three, I’d love it."
But the heart of the interview may very well be in this exchange:
Meghan: Are you really ready for this?
Donald: If I do it, Meghan, I’m ready. You have my word. If I do it, you will not be disappointed in my performance. That I can tell you. I won’t be lazy sitting home watching television. I’m a worker.
