But that stand is likely to be his last, according to people close to the Carson camp who say more disappointing results in the conservative, mostly Southern states voting on March 1 would be the decisive blow to force the candidate out.

“I think Super Tuesday, March 1, is going to be a moment of truth,” said Armstrong Williams, a Carson friend and confidant, describing the day when a dozen, mostly Southern states cast their ballots.

“You cannot ignore the fact that our predictions of what would happen and what could turn this around have not come to fruition yet,” Williams said. “Unless that happens, it is obvious what the outcome will be.”