This development is cause for concern for many on the right. If Donald Trump runs as an independent, he’ll obviously take more votes away from the Republican candidate than the Democrat.
The Wall Street Journal reports:
Donald Trump: Open to Independent Bid if GOP Doesn’t Treat Him ‘Fairly’Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump said Sunday he is open to running for president as an independent if he concludes Republicans are not treating him “fairly.”He made his comments on ABC’s “This Week” when asked about a Wall Street Journal story first published online Friday that reported an effort by Republican establishment figures to unite to knock Mr. Trump out of the race. The group plans a “guerrilla campaign” backed by secret donors to “defeat and destroy” the celebrity businessman’s candidacy, the Journal reported.The notion of an independent Trump bid worries some Republicans, who fear he would siphon votes from the GOP nominee and help elect a Democrat.Asked if he would reconsider his promise not to run as an independent, Mr. Trump didn’t give a direct answer.“Well, we’ll see what happens,” he said. “It will be very interesting. But I’m leading every poll by a lot. It’s not even a little bit anymore, it’s a lot.”Asked again if he was open to an independent run, he repeated, “Well, I’m going to have to see what happens. I will see what happens. I have to be treated fairly. You know, when I did this, I said I have to be treated fairly. If I’m treated fairly, I’m fine. All I want to do is a level playing field.”
Here’s the clip of Trump on ABC. Skip to the 10 minute mark for the exchange:
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The Hill has more:
Trump refuses to rule out third-party runDonald Trump is refusing to rule out an independent White House run if he fails to win the Republican presidential nomination…Trump was asked about whether he would launch a third-party bid amid news that GOP operatives are planning to launch an anti-Trump “guerilla campaign.”“You know, when I did this, I said I have to be treated fairly,” Trump said. “If I’m treated fairly, I’m fine. All I want to do is a level playing field.”The GOP primary front-runner signed a pledge ruling out a third-party run in September.But he has previously been open to the idea.Trump first raised the possibility of a third-party candidacy in an exclusive interview with The Hill in July, saying the Republican National Committee “has not been supportive.”Pressed on whether he would run as a third-party candidate if he fails to clinch the GOP nomination, Trump told The Hill that “so many people want me to, if I don’t win.”“I’ll have to see how I’m being treated by the Republicans,” Trump added. “Absolutely, if they’re not fair, that would be a factor.”
Trump knows what he’s doing and this may just be a way for him to keep the GOP establishment at bay. Let’s hope that’s what’s really going on here.
Featured image via ABC News video.
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