Mark Halperin put us on notice a few minutes ago that Kristol actually does have a possible candidate and he’d be naming him:
Stand by for news. The name everyone's been looking for. cc:@BillKristol #WADR
— Mark Halperin (@MarkHalperin) May 31, 2016
And here’s the guy that’s gonna beat both Trump and Hillary to solve all our problems:
BLOOMBERG – Two Republicans intimately familiar with Bill Kristol’s efforts to recruit an independent presidential candidate to challenge Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton have told Bloomberg Politics that the person Kristol has in mind is David French — whose name the editor of the Weekly Standard floated in the current issue of the magazine.
French is a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom. According to the website of National Review, where French is a staff writer, he is a constitutional lawyer, a recipient of the Bronze Star, and an author of several books who lives in Columbia, Tenn., with his wife Nancy and three children.
Reached in Israel late Tuesday afternoon, Kristol declined to comment on his efforts to induce French to run. The two Republicans confirmed that French is open to launching a bid, but that he has not made a final decision. One of the Republicans added that French has not lined up a vice-presidential running mate or significant financial support. However, according to this person, some conservative donors look favorably on the prospect of French entering the fray.
According to one person deeply involved in the efforts to recruit an independent challenger, the search has focused on individuals who have one or more of the following three traits seen as vital for credibly such a bid: fame, vast wealth, and elective experience. Reached by phone Tuesday evening, French declined to answer questions about any possible run.
Ok looks like it’s not set in stone yet, but based on Kristol’s tweet from this past weekend, sure sounds like there’s some level of commitment.
Here’s some reaction from Twitter:
Mark Halperin is already spinning how David French might be a pretty good candidate. Unbelievable
— David A. Graham (@GrahamDavidA) May 31, 2016
So far the winner of the 2016 presidential election is David French.
— Benjamin Weingarten (@bhweingarten) May 31, 2016
David French is the independent candidate? https://t.co/9cf2j1SoK3
— Allahpundit (@allahpundit) May 31, 2016
I'd vote for David French.
— Lachlan Markay (@lachlan) May 31, 2016
An independent presidential candidate needs at least two things:
1) Significant name ID to start
2) Ability to raise at least $500M— Matt Mackowiak (@MattMackowiak) May 31, 2016
Somehow, Bill Kristol has found a way to underperform even by his own standards.
— Matt Mackowiak (@MattMackowiak) May 31, 2016
Of course! Bill Kristol wants David French to run! We all definitely know who he is. Especially me. Yup. Totally. https://t.co/K0M1GQLbtz
— Matt Fuller (@MEPFuller) May 31, 2016
The "major figure" for an indie bid is … @DavidAFrench? I like and respect David, but this can't be right. https://t.co/csO6tQbqpA
— Ed Morrissey (@EdMorrissey) May 31, 2016
David French is a lovely person, a decent person of honor and integrity. He deserves better then snarky political twitter tearing him up.
— Noah Rothman (@NoahCRothman) May 31, 2016
I’d gladly vote for David French over either Hillary Clinton or her donor Donald Trump.
— Erick Erickson (@EWErickson) May 31, 2016