Ben Carson isn’t really running to win and hasn’t been for quite some time. For all that everyone – including Ben Carson – knows that he has absolutely no chance, Ben Carson has publicly said that he has no intention of quitting, perhaps ever. Those direct mail envelopes aren’t going to return themselves, you know.

In a recent fundraising pitch to supporters, however, Ben Carson admitted that if he doesn’t do well on Super Tuesday, he is screwed. Here’s the whole email.

[SUPPORTER NAME],

This may be one of the more personal emails that you’ll receive from me.

But as one of my most dedicated supporters, I need to shoot straight with you.

The four early-voting states — Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina and Nevada — have all spoken, and we did not finish where we had hoped. While in many ways we’ve made history throughout this campaign, the results of these contests have definitely been disappointing.

But we must accept the reality of where we are and look forward, not back.

Our next opportunity is Super Tuesday on March 1st. It’s a big deal. 12 states will be voting and a whopping 595 delegates — nearly 25 percent of the total number — will be rewarded. They are states where I should be very competitive; states like Georgia, Tennessee and Alabama.

Without a strong showing, it’s going to be very tough for my campaign. That’s the honest truth.

In my heart of hearts, I believe we have an opportunity to break through. With just 5 of the original 17 candidates remaining, there should now be more time to focus on ideas and solutions rather than just personalities. But we can only break through if we stick together.

Many in the political and media establishment are saying I have no path forward. They’re now mocking me, calling for me to drop out, and in some cases even questioning my integrity by saying I’m only doing this for personal gain.

This just proves that they don’t know or understand me. Then again, they never have.

Running for President was never on my bucket list. After a long and arduous career I was looking forward to retirement. But we are in danger of losing our country, and I care much more deeply about the future of my children and grandchildren than my own pleasure.

Hundreds of thousands of people from all walks of life urged me to run, and after much prayer I decided to move forward. Since then, millions more have joined me and we’ve made a much larger impact than any of the experts ever thought was possible.

I’ve put my heart and soul into this race and not once have I compromised my values and principles for political expediency — and that’s exactly how I would serve in the Oval Office.

So here’s my request — as we prepare for Super Tuesday, please make your first online donation of just $2. We have 12 states to cover and we must have a strong showing.

[SUPPORTER NAME], I’m committed to giving you a voice because it’s been ignored for far too long.

Together we’ve built a movement of people from every part of the country and from every walk of life. We’ve brought new people into the political process, and brought many who had given up back into the fold. This campaign gave them hope for the future.

Now, more than ever before, I need your help. I need you to think back to the time you first signed up to join my campaign, and in that spirit please make a donation of just $2.

Thank you for joining me in this fight for our values, and for the future of this exceptional nation.

Sincerely,

Ben Carson

Note that, typically, Carson does not promise that he will drop out, so that the charade can go on after Super Tuesday is over, if the people handling his mailing list think it’s necessary. But the fact that he’s admitting to his own supporters that he’s going to have a tough time if he doesn’t do well on Super Tuesday at least gives us hope.