How 2016 Candidates Finesse the ‘Drop Out’ Question

— -- It’s the question no candidate wants to answer, but that many of them can’t avoid these days: Are you going to drop out of the presidential race?

Rick Santorum, for instance, was asked the million-dollar question today on ABC’s “The View,” making it clear that despite his lackluster poll numbers, he’s not going anywhere.

“Four years ago, I was at 1 and 2 percent and was getting that question continually, up until about three weeks before the election,” the former Pennsylvania senator who carried three states in 2012 said. “Then all of a sudden people started to have to make their decision; they wanted to look at not just who was on the media, but who actually is going to be the best person to be the president and that's why we rose to the top, and were able to win and so I think that will and can happen again."

Here’s a look at how other candidates are answering this awkward question:

Donald Trump

NBC’s “Today” show, Sept. 29, 2015

Matt Lauer: “It seems like the runaway train that was your campaign is slowing down a little bit. You’re in a statistical dead heat now with Ben Carson, and although they’re a little further back, Carly Fiorina and Marco Rubio are definitely gaining traction. Why do you think there is this dynamic at this stage?”

Donald Trump: “This is going to be an ebb and flow; how can I continue to lead by such wide margins?

Matt Lauer: “If this race turns into a long slog- and all races do. And the polls change and you’re no longer the person everybody’s talking about- Donald with all the great things going on in your life, and other areas do you have the stomach to stick this out?”

Donald Trump: “I’m a practical person, if I see things aren’t going well, like for instance there are people right now in the Republican party who are not doing well I don’t think it’s going to change for them, at some point you have to get out. Right now, I’m leading every poll I get the biggest crowds by far. I had 20,000 in Dallas I had 35,000 people in Mobile, Alabama, you know so far it’s looking good…So I will go and if for some reason I think it’s not going to work, I’ll go back to my business.”

Lindsey Graham

“The View,” Sept. 29, 2015

Whoopi Goldberg: “Isn’t there a time when you just have to say it’s not working, I’m going to do what’s best for the Republican Party?”

Graham: “No. Hell no, I’m not going to drop out.”

Rand Paul

On set of Fox News, Sept. 28, 2015

CNN’s Alisyn Camerota: “Donald Trump predicting that Sen. Rand Paul will drop out of the presidential race. Joining us now to respond is GOP Presidential candidate and Kentucky Senator Rand Paul. What’s your response to him?”

Rand Paul: “It kind of reminds me of the funniest moment I think of the second debate when out of nowhere complete non secondary he starts going after me I guess it’s part of his bravado his shtick. I’ll tell you this, I think we’ll be around just as long as Trump, or longer.”

On set of CNN, Sept. 29, 2015.

Fox News: “So, I’m not going to wake up tomorrow or later this week and suddenly see you in a press conference announcing that you’re out like Scott Walker did?”

Rand Paul: “We’re in it to win it; we’re in for the long haul!”

Bobby Jindal

Twitter, Sept. 27, 2015

After Politico predicted Sept. 25 that Jindal would likely be the next candidate to bow out of the presidential race, The New Orleans Times-Picayune reported on the prediction using an incorrect headline. The headline suggested that Politico reported Jindal would drop out, failing to mention it was a prediction. Members of Jindal’s campaign staff responded in a series of tweets:

Jim Gilmore

Statement to ABC News, Sept. 27, 2015

Gilmore spokesperson: “The governor is in the race to stay.”

Chris Christie

Washington Post, Sept. 29, 2015

On Walker’s exit: “We have the lane to ourselves as the governor who took on the unions and did it first. Unlike anyone else in this race, I’ve had to deal with a Democratic legislature my entire time as governor.”

On Iowa: “They’re still very much in the shopping mode. I’m not anxious...We just finished week three of the NFL season. We’ve got to go through the entire regular season and playoffs. The caucuses are Feb. 1. The Super Bowl is Feb. 7. That’s perspective.”

Rick Santorum

“The View,” Sept. 30, 2015

Michelle Collins: "You ran for president back in 2012, you were fairly successful at that time- not successful enough, but, well pretty good. Now you're at 1 percent, at what point do you decide to drop out of this and support someone else within your own party?"

Rick Santorum: "Four years ago, I was at 1 percent and in fact, two weeks before the Iowa caucuses I was at 2 percent in the national polls. There was actually a recent poll taken at the Des Moines register that said that less than 12 percent of the people in Iowa hadn't made up their minds yet. So, what you're seeing in these polls is basically who the media is paying attention to, that's who they end up supporting, but most people have not made up their minds yet…”

Michelle Collins: "Even in this group which there's -- what 14 other people?"

Rick Santorum: “Yeah, but as you've already seen two candidates dropped out. One who six months ago, actually two months ago most people thought was going to be the nominee, Scott Walker and two months later he's out of the race. Those are the kinds of things that can and will happen; four months is a lifetime in politics."