The current buzz in the political environment is that Donald Trump will be hosting a Newsmax sponsored Republican debate in Iowa on December 27, 2011.

Since this announcement Ron Paul, John Huntsman, and Mitt Romney have decided not to attend the debate. The Ron Paul campaign specifically explained that allowing a “reality star” to host a presidential debate is “beneath the office of the presidency.”

To suggest that “the Donald” is just another reality star shows either a bewildering lack of discernment or a perturbing level of disingenuousness on the part of whoever asserts that perspective.  

More than just a shrewd businessman, Trump is no stranger to balancing billion dollar budgets, or making domestic and international deals that affect countless people’s lives. Trump probably has a more thorough and realistic working grasp on economics than the majority of the members of congress, and absolutely the current occupant of the Oval Office. The level of power, success, and influence on which Trump operates is far from “below the office of the President.” It is nearer to an equal footing. And with the American and global economy in shambles it’s more than appropriate for presidential candidates to face a potential barrage of economic questions from someone who actually understands that level of finance because he lives it. That’s why, after decades of success in business Trump was given a television show about entrepreneurship.

To place Trump on the same level as Snookie is the height of stupidity.

I believe Trump will make a good moderator for the December 27 Republican debate for a number of reasons, some which have already been stated by Newsmax. Most Republicans have a respect for Trump’s knowledge of business and economics. He’s an outsider both with the Washington and media establishments. With his knowledge and experience of economics, he’s likely to deal directly with some substantive economic issues that up till now have been mostly neglected in previous debates.

To suggest that Trump moderating a debate is somehow beneath the office of the president is almost an indictment of business. It says that the economic is not as important a political concern as the legislative. But anyone with the slightest grasp on reality understands why politicians often seek out highly successful businessmen as their economic advisers. Donald Trump and Warren Buffet are only two of the most well known.

Politicians and candidates appear on talk shows all the time, from Oprah to the Daily Show with Jon Stewart, and for good reason: to face the people and show a certain level of social consciousness and to make an appearance that they are not above ‘we the people.’ In this economic climate, these candidates need to face someone like the Donald and show that they really understand the economic impact legislation has on the country.