Republican National Committee chairman Reince Priebus warned against a possible third party run from conservative writer David French on Thursday, and said running would be a “suicide mission” for him.
Priebus, who made the remarks to radio host Hugh Hewitt, called the potential run “silly,” and said he believes the people pushing French to take the plunge are “embarrassing themselves.”
“I don’t really know him,” Priebus started. “Look, I don’t want to say anything disparaging against the guy because I don’t know him and I’m sure he’s a good person, but I think it’s also just this sort of suicide mission, and a huge distraction.”
“I don’t see it going anywhere,” Priebus said. “In order to be a viable third-party candidate, I think you have to have national name ID and a ton of cash in order to get even a blip on the radar.”
“So I don’t really even think about it, Hugh. I think it’s sort of silly, to tell you the truth,” he said. “I have to say, I think the people involved with it are embarrassing themselves.”
French is reportedly being prodded to run by Weekly Standard editor Bill Kristol, who has been one of the most vocal supporters of the #NeverTrump movement.
The Washington Examiner and Weekly Standard share common ownership.
