Independent candidate Evan McMullin, who is leading in some polls in Utah, doesn't think that the Republican Party can make the changes that it needs to be successful after the election.

Without such changes, it could mean "a new conservative party," said McMullin, a former CIA operative, while on ABC's "This Week."

McMullin pointed to the aftermath of the 2012 election, where a much-touted party autopsy showed the need to reach out to minorities such as Hispanics.

"There was a battle after 2012 too and look where we are," he said. "It is unlikely I believe that the Republican party will be able to make the kinds of changes it needs to make after this election."

McMullin said that these are "generational problems" that could possibly be solved in decades.

He said that the goal of his long-shot campaign is to prevent either GOP nominee Donald Trump or Democratic Nominee Hillary Clinton from getting enough Electoral College votes to win the presidency.

While McMullin conceded that outcome may be doubtful, he hopes the campaign will at least send a message to Washington.

"The vast majority of Republican leaders are putting party ahead of principle," he said.