GOP debate: Pledge question
Trump participates in the GOP debate in Cleveland, OH. As the leader in the polls he takes the first question, asked by Baier:
Is there anyone on stage, and can I see hands, who is unwilling tonight to pledge your support to the eventual nominee of the Republican party and pledge to not run an independent campaign against that person…Again, we’re looking for you to raise your hand now — raise your hand now if you won’t make that pledge tonight.
Trump is the only candidate to raise his hand. Baier:
Mr. Trump to be clear, you’re standing on a Republican primary debate stage…You can’t say tonight that you can make that pledge?
Trump:
I cannot say. I have to respect the person that, if it’s not me, the person that wins, if I do win, and I’m leading by quite a bit, that’s what I want to do. I can totally make that pledge. If I’m the nominee, I will pledge I will not run as an independent. But — and I am discussing it with everybody, but I’m, you know, talking about a lot of leverage. We want to win, and we will win. But I want to win as the Republican. I want to run as the Republican nominee.
Trump is then challenged by Rand Paul, who accuses him of buying politicians.
Drops out of presidential race
Jindal tell Fox News‘ Baier that he is dropping out of the race. He never topped 2% in any CNN/ORC poll and never advanced past the “undercard” round at the Republican debates held to date. Jindal reached his decision, two aides said, because he didn’t want to go into debt and realized there was no credible path to the nomination.
I’ve come to the realization that this is not my time, so I’ve come here to announce that I am suspending my campaign for president of the United States.