Spurned by Most GOP Candidates, Trump Bails on Iowa Debate

Iowans will have to wait for the return of The Donald, and for some that is just fine.

Donald Trump, the businessman turned reality TV star, turned possible presidential candidate, is backing out as moderator of the Dec. 27 NewsMax GOP presidential debate.

In recent days Trump has been on the talk-show circuit saying that despite only two candidates - Newt Gingrich and Rick Santorum - agreeing to participate, the debate was still on.

Today, Trump changed his tune.

"Because of the fact Republicans are upset, and because of the fact I refuse to give up the possibility of running as an Independent candidate, I've decided to cancel the debate. I don't want to waste a lot of Newt's time or Rick Santorum's time or Donald Trump's time," Trump said in a YouTube announcement.

Trump, who flirted with the idea of running for president in the spring, said he could announce come June that he will make a run as an independent. He said he is seriously considering this if he is not pleased with the GOP nominee.

To some GOP insiders, cancelling the debate a wise move.

"Thank God. That's what I think," said former Iowa GOP party chairman Mike Mahaffey. "Candidates who said 'no' did the GOP and the state of Iowa a good service. I can't imagine Donald moderating anything where he was not the focus."

Former Iowa Republican gubernatorial candidate Doug Gross said in an email that Trump is a celebrity not a politician.

"Not going to a debate that no one was going to attend? Not surprising," Gross said.

Judd Saul, organizer of the Cedar Valley Tea Party, also criticized Trump.

"I believe in either poop or get off the pot. Donald Trump has been playing the political game like a fiddle, and the more publicity he gets the more his book sells, the more his stock goes up. He’s a publicity whore,” Saul said. “Donald Trump has no stock or stake in Iowa."