Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump said Tuesday he thinks retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson is “finished” as a prospective 2016 GOP nominee.
“Well, I think he’s a very nice man; I like him very much,” Mr. Trump said on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe.” “Yes, I think he’s finished as a nominee.”
Mr. Carson has slipped in recent polls on the 2016 GOP race. He was in fourth place in Iowa at 13 percent in a Monmouth University poll released Monday, behind Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas at 24 percent, Mr. Trump at 19 percent, and Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida at 17 percent.
Another poll out Monday from CNN/ORC had Mr. Trump in first place in Iowa at 33 percent, followed by Mr. Cruz at 20 percent, Mr. Carson at 16 percent, and Mr. Rubio at 11 percent.
Asked if Mr. Cruz is now his main competitor for the nomination, Mr. Trump said: “I don’t think so. He might be, but I really don’t think so.”
• David Sherfinski can be reached at dsherfinski@washingtontimes.com.
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