NEW YORK CITY - Two of the loudest voices in the presidential race met today -- but in as quiet a fashion as possible.
Donald Trump and Mitt Romney huddled for about an hour in midtown. Romney avoided reporters by slipping out a side door, however, and his campaign left it to the Trump camp to characterize the conversation.
While the talk between the two businessmen mostly focused on the economy, the deficit, jobs, and China, they also spoke about their personal lives and children, including Trump progeny Ivanka and Eric -- and a surprise guest appeared. Trump's wife, Melania, popped into the meeting "by coincidence," according to Trump spokesman Michael Cohen. "It was a lot of fun, to say the least."
The two men may have crossed paths before, Cohen said, but they have not met since Romney announced his candidacy for 2012.
Next on Trump’s presidential interview schedule: Florida straw poll winner Herman Cain. The two agreed on Friday to meet in New York City on Oct. 3. Trump has met with a number of presidential hopefuls, most of whom set up their appointments weeks ahead of time -- Michele Bachmann, Rick Perry, and Mitt Romney. He also held meetings with Mike Huckabee, a 2008 contender who decided not to make the race this time; and Sarah Palin, the 2008 GOP vice presidential nominee, who has still not decided whether to get in.
Romney’s campaign appeared to trying to create a distraction to minimize press attention to the meeting. While Trump and the GOP presidential candidate were conferring, a Romney aide fretted and paced up and down the street, intimating to reporters that Romney was running late and had still not arrived.
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