RNC Chair: Trump Independent Run Not A Threat
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Reince Priebus, the Chairman of the Republican National Committee, addressed the possibility of Donald Trump running as an independent if he doesn't win the party's nomination and their chances winning in Pennsylvania come November, expressing confidence on both fronts.
Priebus, during an interview with Dom Giordano on Talk Radio 1210 WPHT, said that Trump's participation in the GOP primary process practically eliminates his avenue to run as an independent.
"I think it's never going to happen and it's virtually impossible given the ballot access problem and loser laws out there across the country to qualify as a Republican and then come back and say, well, now I'm going to be an independent. For example, if you're a candidate and you're on the ballot in Ohio, you can't come back after you lose or don't like what goes on and say, now I'm going to run as an independent. It's not possible."
Priebus also praised Senator Pat Toomey's campaign, but said having a strong presidential candidate will make his re-election that much easier.
"He's doing great on his own, but, I would just say, it's very, very helpful and it's pretty obvious that if you don't do well at the top of the ticket, it makes everything underneath really hard. There's a big reason to compete. We think that we can compete in Pennsylvania. It's been a little while since we won there but we compete in Wisconsin. Wisconsin didn't go red since 1984. You guys in '88, Michigan '88. No. We're not holding back at all."