Republican National Committee chief Reince Priebus thinks the GOP presidential candidates ought to pledge not to make a third-party run
— even as poll-topping Donald Trump has dangled just such a possibility.
In an interview on NBC's "Today" show, the RNC chairman asserts he doesn't see anyone breaking away for an independent bid.
"Certainly, I think our candidates should pledge not to run as a third-party candidate," he told "Today" in an interview Monday. "I don’t see that happening. I think everyone understands that if Hillary Clinton’s going to get beat, she’s going to get beat by a Republican. And most people that run for president run to win, and if our candidates want to win, then they’ll have to run as a Republican."
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The tough-talking Trump is "speaking out to people that are really frustrated with Washington" and with both parties, Priebus added, noting "there’s an element of that in both parties," including Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders’ campaign against Hillary Clinton for the Democratic nomination.
Priebus also says that although Trump has created controversy with remarks on illegal immigration, and
other candidates, he's unconcerned the furor will hurt Republicans.
"I think people understand that everyone speaks for themselves, and I’m not worried about that," he said. "But I do agree that tone matters and how you speak matters. It’s kind of like what our moms all told us: Sometimes it’s not what you say, it’s how you say it. And I think that’s very clear. I think that most people understand that."
On the same day of the Priebus interview, Trump
appeared to put to rest his suggestion on July 23 that he might make an independent run.
"I will say so many people want me to run as an independent. I don't want to do that," Trump said. "Why would I do that? I'm leading by a big margin," he said, noting things could change, however.
"If I'm treated fairly and I get a good fair shot at this and I'm not, you know, being sabotaged with all sorts of nonsense and a lot of phony ads and they throw a lot of money into it… If I get a good, fair shot I would have no interest in doing that," he said.
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