Sarasota Republicans - Say It Isn't So

I learned today that the Sarasota Florida Republican Committee has named Donald Trump the 2012 “Statesman of the Year”. The committee will host a dinner for Trump on August 26, the day before the Republican National opens in nearby Tampa. Tickets to the dinner are scaled from $150 ($110 for the early bird special – this is Florida, of course) up to $1,000, which includes a “private meet & greet with Mr. Trump, photo with Mr. Trump, VIP reception & dinner”. Wow! Where’s my wallet? Just when you thought politics in Florida couldn’t get any sillier, it did.

Here’s the definition of “statesman” according to Merriam-Webster online:

1.  one versed in the principles or art of government; especially; one actively engaged in conducting the business of a government or in shaping its policies; 
2.  a wise, skillful, and respected political leader

 Remind me, Sarasota Republicans, which of these does Trump fit.

Donald Trump is a real estate developer, a casino operator, a TV personality and a shameless self-promoter. I cringe in saying this, but there’s no denying his success. But from a political standpoint, he’s a national disgrace. His never ending support of the birther movement is testimony to that, ginning up it up whenever he’s out of the daily news cycle for a while. And despite his endorsement of Mitt Romney, could his acceptance of this “honor” the day before the Convention simply be yet another Trumpian way of shifting attention from the nominee to himself?

But enough about Trump. This is really about the Republicans in Sarasota. Can anyone on that committee honestly look at themselves in the mirror and say this is the right thing to do? That Donald Trump is truly the Statesman of the Year (or even a statesman)?

But wait, this is the same group who in 1999 named Katherine Harris (yes, that Katherine Harris) Statesman of the Year. Enough said.