Dr. Ben Carson ends 2016 run, has a new gig - My Faith Votes chair

Dr. Ben Carson has a new gig - My Faith Votes chair

Dr. Ben Carson tells 'On the Record' about the next phase of his political career, reflects on insults at Thursday's debate on Fox

This is a rush transcript from "On the Record," March 4, 2016. This copy may not be in its final form and may be updated.

GRETA VAN SUSTEREN, FOX NEWS HOST: Dr. Ben Carson just announcing he is suspending his presidential campaign. Is he going to endorse one of the four remaining?

Well, Dr. Carson spoke to us just before suspending his campaign in his speech at CPAC.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

VAN SUSTEREN: How would you describe this experience for you?

DR. BEN CARSON, FORMER GOP PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: It was very good to be able to get all over the country to meet so many Americans. It's a little disheartening to see how discouraged and fearful and angry people are. But we obviously are going to have to find a way to fix that. And I still believe that it's fixable. But, you know, we have to use our brains. We have to be logical and intellectual about it and not just vote out of fear and anger.

VAN SUSTEREN: How do you vote?

CARSON: Well, you know, I vote on the criteria. You know, I look at what things has the person accomplished in their life? Because if you are going to be president of the United States, you need to have a long record of significant accomplishment.

And then you need to ask the question, you know, what has this person done for America? Your life should demonstrate that you really care about this nation and you should have done something very substantial.

How do you treat the people around you and how do you treat your family? Because that's how you are going to treat the American people.

What is your code of ethics? You know, we need trickle down ethics here, because we are losing that in our nation. And what are your beliefs? What is your ideology? What are your policies? And can we find them? Are they easily available for people to examine?

If you follow those criteria, based on the people that we have, you will make a good decision. If you just wait for the pundits to tell what to do, you will make a bad decision.

VAN SUSTEREN: All right, based on that criterion and recognition that none of us is perfect and certainly no candidate is perfect, but looking into all those factors in the four remaining in the field, who in your mind -- because I know you have given this a lot of thought -- meets the most elements of the criteria you have laid out?

CARSON: Well, I have committed, Greta, to not endorsing a specific person, but, rather, endorsing we the people. And looking at our ability, as an intelligent human beings to use the correct criteria to make an informed choice. Because as our founders said, our nation, our freedom depends upon a well-informed and educated populist. And if they ever become anything other than that, the nature of the country will change.

VAN SUSTEREN: Well, Governor Mitt Romney spoke up the other day and a lot of people are disturbed who agree with him in his views of, for instance, Donald Trump, that he waited way too long and they are sort of looking for him to make some sort of endorsement apparently earlier on.

Do you not see that your endorsement might have some valance or setting a standard or leadership for other voters that is now an important part of the process?

CARSON: You know, I have laid out the criteria. And, you know, at some point, we have to depend on the judgement of the American people. And I believe that the American people can do this if they're willing to take the time, if we have time to watch "Dancing with the Stars" and watch the football game, then we certainly have time to examine what people's policies and what their ideas are.

VAN SUSTEREN: Will you be making an official announcement of an endorsement at any point?

CARSON: I will, yes, I will down the line.

VAN SUSTEREN: And your announcement today is essentially what at CPAC?

CARSON: That even though we will be suspending campaign activities, I will not be disappearing from the scene and will continue to work extremely hard for the next generations of America.

(END VIDEOTAPE)