WASHINGTON – Just how wide open is the Republican presidential field? Vast enough that Donald Trump may want you to hire him.

The billionaire real estate mogul and host of television's "The Apprentice" got a raucous reception Thursday when he dangled a potential candidacy before thousands of conservatives who descended on the nation's capital eager to help a GOP challenger deny President Barack Obama a second term.

"The United States is becoming the laughing stock of the world," Trump said, sounding every bit a candidate as he offered his rationale for a possible bid. In a speech sprinkled with quips and jabs, he said he would decide by June whether to run.

"The Donald" was among nearly a dozen potential presidential candidates, in various stages and sincerity of considering a 2012 run, auditioning before 11,000 conservatives at the three-day Conservative Political Action Conference.

The annual gathering marked the unofficial start of the GOP presidential nomination fight. More here.

Here's a hypthetical: Would you rather see Donald Trump receive the GOP nod to run for president, or Sarah Palin.

---

---