Following a threat from Donald Trump that he may consider running as an independent, Republican National Committee Chair Reince Priebus said on Monday morning that all Republican presidential candidates should commit to run only as a member of the GOP.
“Certainly, I think our candidates should pledge not to run as a third-party candidate,” he said on NBC’s “Today.” “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.”
Priebus shied away from criticizing Trump on Monday morning, noting that the real estate mogul is “speaking out to people that are really frustrated with Washington.” And he indicated that he’s not concerned that Trump will damage the party’s image during the 2016 election.
“I think people understand that everyone speaks for themselves, and I’m not worried about that. 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 most people understand that,” Priebus said.
Despite Trump’s threat, Priebus said he isn’t worried that the billionaire would decide to run as a third-party candidate.
