Carson doubles down on threat to leave the GOP

Ben Carson doubled down on his stance that he will leave the GOP if the party elite are planning to mount a floor fight at the nominating convention.

“Well, one of the reasons that I got into this is because I heard the frustration in the people who are so tired of back-room deals, of subterfuge, of dishonesty,” Carson said on ABC’s “This Week” on Sunday. “And, you know, if that is the case, then you know I’m out of here.”

The Washington Post reported last week that top officials met to discuss the party’s strategy in the event that GOP front-runner Donald Trump sweeps through the primaries.

Carson said he spoke with Republican National Committee (RNC) Chair Reince Priebus, who reassured him that there was no behind-the-scenes scheming.

“Now I have subsequently spoken to Reince Priebus,” Carson said. “He told me those are routine meetings. They have them all the time. This was no different than any of the others, that the last thing they would do is engage in back room dealing.”

The retired neurosurgeon said he will keep a “close eye” on the party’s actions leading up to the nominating convention.

“But, you know, the jury is out,” Carson said. “We’ll certainly be keeping a close eye on things.”