NEW YORK, Jan. 29 (UPI) -- U.S. real estate mogul Donald Trump says he's still not dismissing a possible run if he thinks the eventual Republican presidential nominee is unelectable.
After looking at the polls, the key factor is whether the GOP candidate can defeat Democratic President Barack Obama in November, Trump said Sunday on CBS' "Face the Nation."
"I just think it is really important for whoever is chosen to be able to win. And I think people dislike the Democrats and the Republicans more than they ever have, so I actually think the right independent could win."
And, he noted, a poll about a month ago indicated "I was the No. 1 independent choice."
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Trump can't jump into the race now because of his realty TV show, "The Celebrity Apprentice," which premieres Feb. 19.
"But if I don't see a person … is going to win, that is tantamount, I would certainly think about doing it after the show ends," Trump said.
While running for president is "not something I want to do," Trump said some GOP candidates have sought his endorsement and "I do have millions of people that agree with what I say."
The level of nastiness seen so far in the Republican race probably is hurting their chances of winning in November, Trump said.
"It's Republican against Republican, and yet the -- the level of hatred, I guess you could say -- I mean, there's no other word for it -- is unbelievable," he said. "Only time will tell, but it's very possible that they're hurting themselves."
The New York developer said former House Speaker Newt Gingrich of Georgia has big ideas and he and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney both were strong, tough candidates and could possibly win the election – and that he also may endorse either one of them.
If his endorsed candidate wins the GOP nomination, "I absolutely would not run," Trump said. "But obviously if that candidate wouldn't I am a free agent. I am a free agent after May. And we will see what happens."
