Trump Tells Jewish GOP Donors: “I’m a Negotiator Like You Folks”

“Look, I’m a negotiator like you folks”, Rebbe Trumpowitz kibitzed during his remarks, during which he also proclaimed, “Obama!”

Mr. Trump said an agreement would be a great thing “for both sides”.

Donald Trump rattled off jokes Thursday at a gathering of influential Jewish Republicans, using his blunt sense of humor to woo the packed auditorium. But I’m sure they were on the minds of Rubio and Cruz in particular: According to a report yesterday from Yahoo’s Michael Isikoff, Sheldon’s leaning toward an endorsement of the Floridian while Miriam’s enchanted with the Texan. “But then you’re just not going to have a deal”.

“If I win, I will let you know 6 months from the time I take office”, he added.

Republican presidential candidates Donald Trump toyed with Jewish donors on Thursday as he addressed the Republican Jewish Coalition Presidential Forum in Washington, D.C.

Trump also faced boos from the crowd when in the question-and-answer portion of his appearance he would not pledge to keep Jerusalem as the undivided capital of Israel.

Aside from all that, Trump went through his familiar routine. “And I’ll be that”, Trump told the Republican Jewish Coalition.

As he did in the AP interview he asserted at the RJC, “I don’t know that Israel has the commitment to make peace”.

“I want to wait until I meet with Bibi”, Trump said, referring to his upcoming meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu when Trump is scheduled to visit the country later this month. Trump said it might be an example of “radical Islamic terrorism” the president won’t yet acknowledge. Yet his questioning of Israel’s commitment to a lasting peace with its Palestinian neighbors could still raise eyebrows in some Republican corners.

Trump was speaking Wednesday night in Manassas, Virginia, where he was asked about his stance on supporting Israel.

Still, the prospect of Adelson’s nod looms large for the GOP field.

Really? Is Trump unaware of the many, many efforts before him?

When asked whether his goal in peace talks would be a 2-state solution, he said: “Well, I’m not going to even say that”.

“Some in our own party – in the news today – have actually questioned Israel’s commitment to peace”, said Florida Sen.

“You’re not going to support me because I don’t want your money”, he told the audience.

Bush also praised President George W. Bush’s policies toward Israel, telling the crowd that “I got a damn good brother”.

He said Israel already has made concessions to the Palestinians that have been unappreciated. He said he didn’t have to kick off his speech by discussing his support for Israel, because it’s so well known.

“When I heard about it, I figured probably not”, he said. “I could be in a position where I want to negotiate that”.

And Ben Carson read entirely from a prepared text, a break from tradition for the candidate and one that seemed to underscore his lack of depth on foreign policy rather than highlight his knowledge.

“I’m sometimes criticized because I receive so many awards from Jewish groups”.

Trump said many members of the audience wouldn’t back him because he didn’t want their campaign contributions and therefore wouldn’t be beholden to them.

“If you vote for Hillary Clinton, you are voting for the Ayatollah Khamenei to have nuclear weapons”, he said, in remarks echoed by his fellow Republican presidential contenders.

Republican presidential candidates gather Thursday to promote their views on what what has become one of the 2016 campaign’s biggest issues: national security.