GOP Candidates 2016: Ben Carson Threatens GOP Amid Donald Trump Coup Talk
Ben Carson took a page from his GOP rival Donald Trump on Friday and threatened to mount an independent run for president after rumors emerged that Republican National Committee (RNC) heavyweights were prepping for a potential brokered convention amid establishment candidates' low poll numbers.
The retired neurosurgeon's comments came in response to a Washington Post story that described a dinner hosted by RNC Chairman Reince Priebus, during which some attendees allegedly suggested that the party lay the groundwork for a floor fight at the Republican National Convention in an attempt to reunited its mainstream behind an alternative to Trump.
The approach offended Carson, who -- along with Trump -- is not considered to be part of the GOP's establishment, Politico reported.
"If the leaders of the Republican Party want to destroy the party, they should continue to hold meetings like the one described in the Washington Post this morning," the physician blasted. "If (the report) is correct, every voter who is standing for change must know they are being betrayed."
Echoing earlier comments by Trump, in which the Republican front-runner had warned that further perceived disloyalty from party leaders would draw consequences, Carson cautioned that he would not tolerate such behavior, either.
"I won't stand for it," the 64-year-old underlined. "I assure you, Donald Trump won't be the only one leaving the party."
But Sean Spicer, the RNC's chief strategist and communications director, suggested that the dinner account was overblown and tried to reassure Carson on Friday, CNN reported.
"I say to Dr. Carson, 'Don't worry, your prayers have been answered,'" Spicer said. "It was a dinner where the subject was how the delegate selection process works. ... At the end of that dinner, there were a lot of questions asked."
Meanwhile, Carson noted on Friday that at least for the time being, he had no concrete plans to run as an independent, according to Politico. "But I certainly don't want to be a part of corruption," he reiterated.
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