The Donald

Wouldn't this be interesting?

ALBANY — Megabuilder and late-blooming TV star Donald Trump yesterday flatly ruled out running for governor this year — but hinted he may go for president in 2008. . .

Trump, a Republican, said he had been "inundated with calls" from GOP leaders since state Senate Majority Leader Joe Bruno (R-Rensselaer) suggested last week that "The Apprentice" star might run for governor. . .

But while The Donald repeatedly ruled out a race for statewide office, he strongly suggested he was interested in entering the national political arena in 2008.

Trump, who considered an independent run for president in 2000, pointedly noted that his decision not to run governor this year "doesn't preclude me from doing something [political] in the future."

I don't think that there is any chance that Trump could be elected president as an independent, but his involvement would completely alter the dynamics of the race. And that would probably be a good thing.