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One of Trump's leading lobbyists in this crusade was Albert Pirro, a key fundraiser for Republican Gov. George Pataki. Certainly, Pirro's money-shaking endeavors for Pataki and other GOP officials helped him become a powerful influence peddler in Albany and a good catch for Trump.

Unfortunately for Trump, Pirro's effectiveness may have slipped recently. Last year Pirro, the husband of Westchester County District Attorney Jeanine Pirro, was indicted on federal tax evasion charges for conspiring to hide $1 million in income. He also was in the local news recently for fathering an out-of-wedlock child. In Washington, Trenton, and Albany, Trump has been spending his money not to better the lot of Americans but to line his own pockets. His commitment to political reform is nonexistent. Still, Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura has been encouraging Trump to throw his ego into the Reform Party ring.

Trump's presidential flirtation may be getting serious. Stone said Thursday that the tycoon plans to launch an advertising blitz later this spring on the three major networks and on cable in the form of five-minute "fireside chats" on universal health care and national debt reduction.

"The suspense will be gone for the major party candidates and they'll be out of money (by then)," Stone told the Associated Press. "Trump, in contrast, will not have to spend anything until April. He could have the stage all to himself."

Ventura, of course, is concerned with finding a candidate who can block Pat Buchanan so that Ventura can have his own clean shot at the party's nomination in 2004.

Of course, as a social conservative and anti-immigration advocate, Buchanan violates Principle 6: "We, the members of the Reform Party, celebrate our heritage of individual liberty, recognizing that one of our greatest strengths is our diversity; and we will foster tolerance of the customs, beliefs, and private actions of all persons which do not infringe upon the rights of others."

Perhaps all of Trump's clatter about moving into the White House is no more than the vanity gag of a publicity hound who has a new book to hawk. But if the Reform Party truly cares about reform, its members should keep shopping for another egotist. Trump would be a better fit with the who-the-hell-needs-a-reform-party crowd.
salon.com | Jan. 6, 2000

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