Donald Trump Calls for Balanced Budget

Re-entering the political fray and raising his profile on the key GOP issue of the day—slashing federal spending—real estate mogul and reality TV star Donald Trump today joined congressional conservatives pushing for a balanced budget amendment.

Trump, who toyed with a presidential bid and who some now say is angling for a vice presidential tap from the eventual GOP nominee, used his Twitter account today to endorse the Republican Study Group's so-called "Cut, Cap and Balance" initiative to cut spending now, cap future spending and vote for a balanced budget amendment.

From his Twitter account, @realDonald Trump, he said, "Congress is back. TIME TO CUT, CAP AND BALANCE. There is no revenue problem. The Debt Limit cannot be raised until Obama spending is contained." [Check out editorial cartoons about the budget and deficit.]

He joins a growing group of political conservatives backing the plan pushed by Rep. Jim Jordan, head of the RSC. His effort started with a petition to budget negotiators discussing a deal to raise the debt ceiling. Some 103 House members signed that letter. It has morphed into a pledge by 26 House Republicans and 12 senators to oppose any deal that doesn't include "Cut, Cap, and Balance."

At least two presidential candidates, Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich, have endorsed it, pushing the idea and the broader call for a balanced budget amendment into the 2012 election. [See political cartoons about the 2012 GOP field.]

But Trump's backing is big news, taking the political pledge into the mainstream.

Said Brian Straessle, communications director of the House Republican Study Committee, "You don't have to be famous to know why Cut, Cap, and Balance makes sense. Without a Balanced Budget Amendment, cuts promised today could easily become spending increases tomorrow."

• Check out a roundup of political cartoons about the 2012 GOP field.
• See a slide show of GOP 2012 contenders.
• Vote now: Who is your pick for the 2012 GOP nomination?

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