A more interesting post than the one I'm about to write might be one that examines the inevitable mockery that will come as a result of Trump's ego-stroking nonsense over the past couple of months. But I suppose it must be said: Donald Trump is not running for President. Not only is he not running, but he is certain he would win if he did run. No, really:

After considerable deliberation and reflection, I have decided not to pursue the office of the Presidency. This decision does not come easily or without regret; especially when my potential candidacy continues to be validated by ranking at the top of the Republican contenders in polls across the country. I maintain the strong conviction that if I were to run, I would be able to win the primary and ultimately, the general election.

Evidently Mark Halperin and his ilk agree and think he could have been a Very Serious Candidate if he didn't love business so much. Watch him treat Trump like a serious candidate while providing his "expert analysis" of the situation. Of course, they mentioned nothing about the fact that his Celebrity Apprentice show was renewed by NBC and announced yesterday.That "expert analysis", by the way, included his contention that Trump's withdrawal from the race leaves the door wide open for Sarah Palin to step through.

In his wet dreams, maybe. Palin is a non-contender and so is Bachmann. My guess at this point (and I am not one of the Very Serious Villagers) is that Mitt Romney has it locked in, health care plan or no health care plan. Newt's stupid run at it, along with his dog-whistling ways, are just part of the usual GOP effort to consolidate their base and let them believe they have a chance at putting one of their candidates in the drivers' seat. In the end, they'll run Mitt as a "centrist", and he'll lose. The more interesting question is who they'll choose as the vice presidential candidate.

We do live in interesting times.

Text of Trump's statement:

After considerable deliberation and reflection, I have decided not to pursue the office of the Presidency. This decision does not come easily or without regret; especially when my potential candidacy continues to be validated by ranking at the top of the Republican contenders in polls across the country. I maintain the strong conviction that if I were to run, I would be able to win the primary and ultimately, the general election. I have spent the past several months unofficially campaigning and recognize that running for public office cannot be done half heartedly. Ultimately, however, business is my greatest passion and I am not ready to leave the private sector.

I want to personally thank the millions of Americans who have joined the various Trump grassroots movements and written me letters and e-mails encouraging me to run. My gratitude for your faith and trust in me could never be expressed properly in words. So, I make you this promise: that I will continue to voice my opinions loudly and help to shape our politician’s thoughts. My ability to bring important economic and foreign policy issues to the forefront of the national dialogue is perhaps my greatest asset and one of the most valuable services I can provide to this country. I will continue to push our President and the country’s policy makers to address the dire challenges arising from our unsustainable debt structure and increasing lack of global competitiveness. Issues, including getting tough on China and other countries that are methodically and systematically taking advantage of the United States, were seldom mentioned before I brought them to the forefront of the country’s conversation. They are now being debated vigorously. I will also continue to push for job creation, an initiative that should be this country’s top priority and something that I know a lot about. I will not shy away from expressing the opinions that so many of you share yet don’t have a medium through which to articulate.

I look forward to supporting the candidate who is the most qualified to help us tackle our country’s most important issues and am hopeful that, when this person emerges, he or she will have the courage to take on the challenges of the Office and be the agent of change that this country so desperately needs

Thank you and God Bless America!

Donald J. Trump