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American politics may morph even more into prime-time
entertainment with the emergence of a new Republican presidential front-runner:
reality-TV real-estate mogul Donald Trump – best known for his billions,
bravado and big hair.

“I am giving it serious, serious thought,” Trump said as he
blanketed the airwaves with appearances this week. “I am honoured by the
polls.” The polls show that after years of playing the media to publicise his
skyscrapers and casinos, best-selling books and top-rated TV shows – and
apparently also just for the sheer pleasure of it – the outspoken entrepreneur
looks like presidential material to a growing number of Republicans.

One survey by Public Policy Polling finds he’s the top choice
among 26 percent, followed by past presidential candidate Mike Huckabee with
just 17 percent and the rest of the Republican field even further back.

“I sort of feel this is politics gone bonkers, to have Donald
Trump tied for first,” said CNN Analyst David Gergen.

Of course, the election campaign has barely started. Obama has
announced he’ll seek a second term but few Republicans have officially decided.
The party will spend more than a year choosing its nominee and Americans won’t
actually vote until November, 2012.

So some pundits suggest Trump’s only advantage is his high
profile compared to other potential candidates.

But at a time when the Obama administration is struggling to
cut spending and spur economic growth, Trump points constantly to one
potentially persuasive credential: He’s ridiculously rich, with a fortune
estimated at $2.7 billion.

The guy not only knows how to do business, his public persona,
especially on “The Apprentice” and more recently “Celebrity Apprentice,” is
built around the premise that he’s a tough boss.

Obama’s most famous words may the largely abandoned promise
that “yes we can.” Trump’s most famous phrase, echoing from television screens
every week is “you’re fired.” Trump hasn’t decided whether he’ll run or not,
but he’s already announced he’s ready to fund a campaign with $600 million of
his own money.

He’s expected to announce his decision on the season finale of
“Celebrity Apprentice” at the end of May. If he does run, that hit reality show
will almost certainly come to an end, but another much bigger one will only be beginning.

Jonathan Mann presents Political Mann on CNN International each
Friday at 18:30 (CAT), Saturday at 3pm and 9pm (CAT), and Sunday at 10am (CAT).