Ben Carson Drop Out Of Next Debate But Won't Formally Quit The Race

Ben Carson is to admit he has no chance of becoming the Republican presidential candidate - but will not actually quit the race as the retired neurosurgeon will not take part in today’s debate between the remaining candidates, and will use a speech to supporters on Friday to admit that there is no path forward for him.

Armstrong Williams his business manager and closest aide said “There's only one candidate in this 2016 election on the GOP side, and his name is Donald Trump”. Williams added that Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz also have no path and should drop out. He will use a scheduled speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), being held in Maryland, on Friday to make his announcement.

He issued a statement yesterday saying that his grassroots movement would continue, he said “I have decided not to attend the Fox News GOP Presidential Debate tomorrow night in Detroit, even though I will not be in my hometown of Detroit on Thursday, I remain deeply committed to my home nation, America. I do not see a political path forward in light of last evening's primary results However, this grassroots movement on behalf of “We the People” will continue.  Along with millions of patriots who have supported my campaign for President, I remain committed to Saving America for Future Generations.  We must not depart from our goals to restore what God and our Founders intended for this exceptional nation.  I appreciate the support, financial and otherwise, from all corners of America.  Gratefully, my campaign decisions are not constrained by finances; rather by what is in the best interests of the American people.  I will discuss more about the future of this movement during my speech on Friday at CPAC in Washington, D.C.”

He was the only one of the five remaining Republican candidates not to walk away from Super Tuesday with at least a second place somewhere and he has picked up just eight delegates in the primaries and caucuses so far, compared to frontrunner Trump's 319. Carson's endorsement, however, would be much sought-after among the remaining candidates. Although he could not translate personal popularity into votes and polling numbers, his inspirational story and his breakthrough moment at the 2013 National Prayer Breakfast would combine to make an endorsement a valuable asset.

Carson's own strong religious views would suggest that he would lean towards endorsing Ted Cruz but he could also be under pressure from the Republican establishment to throw his weight behind Marco Rubio, who continues to be their preferred candidate to take on Donald Trump.