Dr. Ben Carson roundly dismissed former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush as a viable presidential candidate in an exclusive, wide-ranging interview with
Newsmax TV on Monday.
The retired pediatric neurosurgeon told Newsmax TV's Steve Malzberg there’s a simple reason why Bush is foundering in the polls with a paltry 4 percent, despite a huge war chest of more than $100 million.
"This is a bad time to be identified as part of the political establishment," Carson said.
"Jeb Bush is a very nice man, I like him. But this is just not the right time to be named Bush — or Clinton."
In the latest Pew Research Center
poll of GOP voters, Donald Trump continues to lead with 25 percent, followed by Carson with 16 percent. Bush in in sixth place with only four percent and trailing Carly Fiorina and Sen. Marco Rubio, who are tied with 8 percent, and Sen. Ted Cruz, who has 6 percent.
Watch Newsmax TV's exclusive interview with Dr. Ben Carson tonight at 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. ET on "The Steve Malzberg Show." Get Newsmax TV on DIRECTV Ch. 349, DISH Ch. 223 and Verizon FiOS Ch. 115. Want Newsmax TV on your system? Click Here Now
Last week, Trump said if his numbers dropped dramatically, he would pull out of the race, because "I’m not a masochist" — a declaration Carson believes is subtle hint to Bush and the other badly-polling GOP candidates to bid adieu.
But Carson doesn’t believe Bush, who hopes to become the third family member to occupy the White House, will get the hint.
"I seriously doubt that he would give that consideration. But everybody should ask themselves what are they doing and why are they doing it?" Carson said.
"I can easily answer the question, I'm doing it because the people asked me to do it and the people are funding the effort. They didn't just talk and then go home and sit down.
"[Trump] is trying to say, guys, 'come on now.' I think that's what he's saying. But I mean that's a very noble thing for him to do."
Asked if he would consider Trump for a cabinet job if he is elected president, Carson said:
"Donald Trump is a very talented individual. He certainly knows how to take advantage of situations, there's no question about that, and he could bring some wisdom somewhere along the line and there would be room for him somewhere … Absolutely."
But Carson hedged when asked if he would select Trump to be his vice presidential running mate.
"There’d be room somewhere," he said.
Watch Newsmax TV's exclusive interview with Dr. Ben Carson tonight at 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. ET on "The Steve Malzberg Show." Get Newsmax TV on DIRECTV Ch. 349, DISH Ch. 223 and Verizon FiOS Ch. 115. Want Newsmax TV on your system? Click Here Now