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The following is a transcript of an interview with former Maryland Governor, Larry Hogan, a Republican, that aired on “Face the Nation” on September 3, 2023.
ROBERT COSTA: We are delighted to have the former governor of Maryland, Larry Hogan, with us today. Thank you for joining us, Governor. We really appreciate it.
FORMER MARYLAND GOVERNOR LARRY HOGAN: Thank you for having me.
ROBERT COSTA: Governor Hogan, the last time we had a conversation on Face the Nation was back in March. During that interview, you mentioned that you wouldn’t seek the Republican presidential nomination because you believed the field needed to be smaller for another Republican to have a real chance of defeating former President Donald Trump. Now, some months later, do you still believe the GOP field is too large?
HOGAN: Absolutely. I am more convinced now than I was back in March. That’s precisely why I made the decision. I didn’t want a repeat of the chaotic 2016 primary with too many candidates dividing the 50% of Republican primary voters who don’t support Donald Trump. Unfortunately, that’s exactly what is happening now, and it’s a significant problem. We need to show leadership and take action to address this.
ROBERT COSTA: What do you mean by taking leadership and action? It’s September now, and Trump is dominating the polls. Should some of the candidates polling in single digits drop out?
HOGAN: Yes, there are too many candidates in the field who should not be running. If a candidate doesn’t make it to the debate stage, they should seriously consider dropping out. If they are on the debate stage but are unwilling to challenge Donald Trump and only act as his cheerleaders, they should step aside. For example, Ramaswamy is clearly there to support Trump, and that’s not how a presidential candidate should behave. Similarly, those who are running to boost their profile, write books, or get on TV should leave the race. We need to narrow down the field and find a leader who can get the Republican Party back on track to win elections.
ROBERT COSTA: Are there any specific candidates who should consider dropping out, like former congressman Will Hurd, who didn’t make it to the debate stage?
HOGAN: Will Hurd is a personal friend, and I hold him in high regard. We have similar views on many issues, but I don’t think he should continue in the race if his chances of winning are slim, and he didn’t make it to the debate stage. I don’t want to go through a list of candidates who should drop out; that’s a decision they have to make. However, time is of the essence, and we need to have serious conversations with many of these candidates. I am offering private advice to several of them, and I believe other party leaders will come together to find a way to convince candidates to prioritize the country and the party’s well-being over their personal goals.
ROBERT COSTA: Having those conversations can be challenging. Politicians often see themselves as future presidents. How do you approach this delicate matter?
HOGAN: It is undoubtedly a tough conversation, which is why it hasn’t happened yet. However, I have hope that we can figure it out. My focus right now is on finding a strong challenger who can secure the nomination and lead us to victory in the general election. We need to look beyond Donald Trump and find a candidate who can attract broader support.
ROBERT COSTA: As the honorary co-chairman of No Labels, you have been exploring the possibility of an independent or third-party ticket consisting of a Republican and a Democrat. Some Democrats argue that this would only spoil President Biden’s chances and help elect Trump. How do you respond to that?
HOGAN: I’m not sure where they get that idea. The concern arose when there was talk of a Democrat being at the forefront of such a ticket, which would split the Democratic vote. However, No Labels aims to offer an alternative that goes beyond partisan politics. It is not about helping Donald Trump. In fact, the Biden team should be more concerned about the Green Party candidate drawing support away from Biden. The goal of No Labels is to find a solution that many Americans are craving for, one that transcends the current political landscape.
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