But can he be the 'Celebrity President'?

Of all the discussion about Donald Trump, which has gone on ad nauseam, there remains one crucial factor that has been overlooked. For several years he was the star of a highly rated, reality prime-time television series, "The Apprentice," which evolved into the very popular and much talked about "Celebrity Apprentice."

Many notables, (i.e., actors, politicians, athletes, Broadway stars, accomplished and famous musicians and singers) would subject themselves to the show's format, which tested their ability to prove to the Donald that they were capable of leading a team of would-be entrepreneurs to a successful moneymaking conclusion.

Donald reigned supreme as the all-powerful father figure who would decide in a most authoritarian fashion who would win the competition. If you were the poor embarrassed soul who lost, Mr. Trump would rejectingly point his finger at you and exclaim, "You're fired!"

Witness 14 out of 16 Republican competitors/candidates he has indirectly "fired" to date.

Millions of people to become voters would watch Donald and company (i.e., his sons and daughter) judge all those otherwise accomplished participants. Donald and his narcissistic, abrasive and often disarmingly engaging style became very familiar to viewers. Through the seasons, they came to enjoy his unique adeptness in front of the camera and his take-charge directness.

He is a familiar figure. We're used to him. We're entertained by him. We feel like we know him. From the ridicule artist to the braggart who knows everybody to the man with the beautiful family, he's our billionaire, our T.V. star, our "Father Knows Best."

The question remains: Does his familiar and entertaining performance through all those T.V. seasons translate into an eventual performance as "The Celebrity President"?

Larry J. Powitz

Arlington Heights