Trump asked about Kristol, during an often-contentious press conference called Tuesday to announce the distribution of some $5.6 million to veterans’ groups around the country.
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With Donald Trump as the presumptive Republican presidential candidate, not many Americans are thrilled with having either him or Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton take over the White House from President Barack Obama.
Presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump tweeted his undisguised contempt for Bill Kristol Sunday night after the Weekly Standard editor warned that a high-profile, anti-trump independent presidential candidate is about to burst onto the scene.
And no offense to French, who is arguably one of the ten best bloggers now writing for National Review Online, but “impressive” and “real chance” are not terms the non-Kristol world would apply to his candidacy.
“Do you think that Trump appointees are going to overturn Roe v. Wade?” he said. “Can’t allow lightweights to set up a spoiler Indie candidate!“, was his initial response.
And this one, also from Trump, was much blunter: “If dummy Bill Kristol actually does get a spoiler to run as an independent, say good bye to the Supreme Court!” He would arguably be the most likely to have a strong national team, having just run four years ago.
Among those who were encouraged to run included Romney, Nebraska Sen. “He strongly believes that Hillary Clinton should not be president of the United States”.
Among the names mentioned as someone conservatives could gather around were former Oklahoma Senator Tom Coburn, former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and retired Army general Stanley McChrystal.
Ross Perot was the most successful third party candidate in recent decades, garnering 19 percent of the popular vote in 1992, but winning no Electoral College electors. In Texas the deadline for getting on the ballot has already passed, but a write-in-campaign or lawsuit could potentially open up room for a new candidate. Bill Clinton defeated George H.W. Bush handily in the contest.
Even as Trump attempts to shore up his nomination and assure the GOP base that his presidency wouldn’t tilt to the left, Kristol and other conservative pundits have continued to look for other options.
“At this point, it is late enough in the game that only someone with extensive backing and a strong national reputation could have a significant impact as an independent”, Wallach told ABC News.
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‘Wouldn’t it be ironic if the same thing happened this time?’
