Bill Kristol Reportedly Pursuing National Review Writer For Independent Conservative Run

Weekly Standard editor and #NeverTrump stalwart Bill Kristol is reportedly trying to recruit National Review staff writer and attorney David French to mount an independent presidential run.

Bloomberg‘s Mark Halperin and John Heilemann reported that two Republicans close to the effort confirmed that French was considering a run, but had not made a decision. Kristol declined to comment for Bloomberg‘s article.

According to his author page on the National Review‘s website, French is an attorney whose practice focuses on constitutional law and the law of armed conflict. He is a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom and author of, most recently, Rise of ISIS: A Threat We Can’t Ignore.

On Monday Kristol teased on Twitter that he was gearing up to announce an “impressive” candidate, one “with a strong team and a real chance.”

Kristol had previously floated 2012 GOP nominee Mitt Romney and Sen. Ben Sasse (R-NE) as potential independent conservative candidates, though neither man expressed his intention to run.

Kristol concern trolled Trump just before his press conference Tuesday morning, saying on Twitter, “I hope @realDonaldTrump‘s nervousness about an independent candidacy doesn’t affect his composure.”

I hope @realDonaldTrump‘s nervousness about an independent candidacy doesn’t affect his composure. #Concerned https://t.co/yTxjVB5fBD

— Bill Kristol (@BillKristol) May 31, 2016

[image via Twitter]

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