Conservative writer David French, who had been floated as a possible independent candidate for president, is ruling out a run himself — but hinted there still could be an opening for someone else to enter the race.
In a piece for National Review, Mr. French said he gave it serious thought “only because we live in serious times” and went on to criticize both likely Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton and presumptive GOP nominee Donald Trump.
Mr. French went on to write that “somebody is not always better than nobody.”
“I’m on record saying that Mitt Romney could win,” he said, referring to the 2012 GOP nominee. “I believe others could run and win, and would make excellent presidents.”
Mr. French said “the path is there” and that he spent the last several days “with some of the best minds in politics.”
“I learned that the ballot-access challenge can be met with modest effort (by an existing network ready to activate), that the polling for a true outsider independent was better than most people know, and that there are many, many Americans — including outstanding political talents — who are willing to quit their jobs — today — to help provide the American people with an alternative,” he wrote.
Mr. French went on to write that given the timing, the best chance for success “goes to a person who either is extraordinarily wealthy (or has immediate access to extraordinary wealth) or is a transformational political talent.”
He also said “the fight is not over.”
“Men such as my friend and colleague, Boston filmmaker and philanthropist John Kingston, stand ready to continue the effort — with substantial resources behind them,” Mr. French wrote.
“But we live in a time when patriots are mocked and demagogues celebrated. Even good men have reduced themselves to excusing the inexcusable and defending the indefensible,” he said.
• David Sherfinski can be reached at dsherfinski@washingtontimes.com.
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