I watched the video.
In the video, CNN reporters never explicitly state that Carson was dropping out of the race.
However, they go way beyond simply reporting the news that Carson was returning home. They stated it was very unusual and something to the effect that presidential candidates should never do what Carson did if they want to be serious candidates for the presidency.
I would have walked away from the broadcast with a very fuzzy idea of what was actually going on. Was Carson just taking a break? Or did CNN reporters know more than they were apparently permitted to tell, by implying that Carson was no longer a serious presidential candidate?
At some point, reporters cross the line when they start giving out campaign advice to presidential candidates and imply stuff about candidates without actually stating it explicitly. That is unethical. It can lead people to falsely conclude that a candidate is not serious when actually he or she still is serious.
Given CNN reporting’s breach of ethics, is it right or wrong for someone on Cruz’s campaign in the heat of battle merely to connect the dots that CNN reporting conveniently laid out in public for everyone to ponder?
Rubio’s campaign was using the CNN information too, just like Cruz’s did.
The Carson campaign is clutching at straws.