So this is an interesting dilemma? The usual haters of Chairman John Whitbeck and RPV are backing him on the recent Politico story that talks about the state party instituting a loyalty oath, with the apparent support of Ken Cuccinelli. The focus of this idea is Donald Trump, who has refused to say he would endorse whoever the eventual nominee is. This looks to be a way to end around Trump out of possibly appearing on the state primary ballot. This is a hilarious turn of events as primary supporters argued that their method of nomination was the best way to build a big tent so everyone could participate. Now they are using a loyalty oath to do the exact opposite, something that could have been solved with a convention. Oh well, water under the bridge.
This also isn’t the first time a loyalty oath has been floated by RPV. In the winter of 2011-2012 this came up and I blogged about it a couple of times on my old site. What I said back then still applies today, we shouldn’t have to pledge loyalty to the party, the party should pledge loyalty to us. The only oaths I’ve made in my life are to God and my wife, and I honestly don’t plan on expanding that much more. Letting the state party decide who is a Republican and who isn’t is a bad idea. If you don’t like Donald Trump, get off your butt and organize your friends and neighbors around the candidate you support. Shutting out him and, more importantly, his supporters is a dangerous precedent that can be used against anyone in the future.
The way to defeat Donald Trump is not with attacks and exclusion but with kindness. His supporters are real, their issues are real, and they are not raging racists. And if you want to play that raging racist card, let’s think back about how some of our past GOP presidents have acted (Reagan kicking his campaign off in Philadelphia, MS and George W. Bush’s campaign in South Carolina against McCain, for starters). I can’t say I can ever foresee myself voting for Trump but I want to make sure his supporters remain in the party and part of that big tent the establishment of our party have claimed they want so badly. Attacking Trump and disenfranchising his supporters shrinks the party, shrinks our energy, and exposes primary supporters as hypocrites. You want the party inclusionary, but only with your people. Creating party policy and precedent out of spite or anger at one person you don’t like is not how a party should be run.
Lastly, I want to address Trump’s reasoning itself. He isn’t willing to support whoever the GOP nominee is and instead of working to make sure that happens, we are trying to put a gun to his head. I understand and respect those who say if you want the party and it’s infrastructure to work for you, you should be willing to work the same for whoever the nominee is. But Trump’s views on supporting the eventual nominee are held by more Republicans than the party probably wants to admit. Attempting to keep him off the ballot through a loyalty oath, or whatever it is, will only further prove Trumps point and makes it more likely many conservatives will sit this one out, especially if a Jeb or Kasich is the nominee. The party’s handling of Trump has been all wrong. The party both state and federal needs to embrace his campaign and treat them fairly, do everything possible to reach out and accommodate. If he then still bolts for a third party run, so be it, but then the GOP will have a the moral high ground to make a real appeal to his supporters that the GOP remains the conservative alternative they want. Our goal shouldn’t be to keep Trump in the party, it should be to keep his supporters in the party. His followers are very loyal and we must remember everything you do to him you are doing it to roughly 30% of the party now (whatever his numbers are).
We need to play nice, let everyone in the pool, and trust our own voters to choose wisely. If the GOP chooses Donald Trump in Virginia in a primary, then I’m sorry, you’ve lost the battle. Want to stop Trump? Do it at the ballot box, don’t game the system, because you will be doing a lot of damage to the base of our party that is supporting him. I know you hate it, I know you don’t like it, but his support is real and his supporters should be respected.
51 comments
Allow me to step outta the box this post and everyone commenting on it are ‘coming from’ whose sides, made up of the status quo paradigms support the illusion that our political system is a Republican one which represents the will of the people and is made up of two distinct and politically autonomous party’s with seemingly opposing overall views on the role of the Federal government in managing and providing for the general welfare of their constituency. Ladies and gentlemen may I suggest that the American two party system is a two headed coin. Heads they win, tails we lose. Why because yes Virginia there really is a ‘political’ Santa Clause but he’s no Uncle Sam… He’s the shadow of Uncle Sam, a shadow government to be exact which is the game changer in all things related to power in D.C.. All of the hype surrounding elections is but political theater, a diversion to keep us preoccupied thinking we are ‘in the game’ and making a difference. Here are two articles I’d like to recommend for anyone interested in further consideration of this politically incorrect heresy: http://readersupportednews.org/opinion2/277-75/22216-a-shadow-government-controls and http://www.drboylan.com/shadgovt2.html
Shhhh!! These people are incapable of partisan snout-counting and you want to expose them to the forbidden knowledge???
I think this quote from pollster Frank Luntz sums it up well, “I want to put the Republican leadership behind this mirror and let them see. They need to wake up. They don’t realize how the grassroots have abandoned them. Donald Trump is punishment to a Republican elite that wasn’t listening to their grassroots.”
If you look at it as being “punishment” to the Republican Establishment, then Trump makes perfect sense. Conservatives, Tea Partiers, etc. gave Republicans overwhelming majorities across the nation, and expected something to happen. So far, nothing has happened. So, these same constituencies will now inflict punishment for being taken advantage of (again).
This assumes Republican leadership cares. Our party leadership suffers from the Stockhold Syndrome where the hostage identifies most with their captors. The Republican Establishment only listens to the conservative grassroots when the gun is to their head. They always resume the throne when the pressure is reduced. The GOP leadership caters more to democrats and independents than the base — this is why it is dissolving.
I refuse to support chump because he is a Liberal! Not to mention he is a spoiled bully who has gotten used to acting anyway he wants… How about the mindset of the chumpsters? The supporters of chump are acting just like the obots did… All emotional knee jerk reaction to whatever he is speaking on… Really the support of this man speaks to the stupidity of this country… We are indeed the cradle to grave nanny state that the last 3 failed generations allowed to happen… Acting angry about it before you kick the bucket and support again another idiot only speaks to the denial of our elders… This election will be the same as the last few… 55 and older gets it wrong….35 and under supports liberty and gets it right… Its easy to be wrong and live in denial when you know you won’t be around to endure the consequences of your ignorance
The republican party has been wrong recently more often then Trump, see the white house. Does the state run the primary or the republican party? Time to embrace the horror that is Donald if you want to have a advocate in the white house. The field as is, is vying for the vp job and the RPV should not cut it’s nose off. Time for a hot, blooded American instead of the mealy mouth losers! I would not back any of the rest of the field with my pocketbook but would vote for them over Joe or Hillary. Not voting for Trump because he would run as a independent puts you in the loser bracket again.
The GOP/RNC/RPV will endeavor that Jeb is the nominee — that guarantees money, power, all act accordingly. The Donald pretends he can win outside the two party structure (he can’t) so the Dem wins. — However, if The Donald beats or blocks Jeb within the party structure, he can be or select the nominee or VP and the Repubs win.
If Trump files his petitions to run as a Republican, he cannot be placed on the General Election ballot as anything but a Republican. The state Declaration of Candidacy form here http://elections.virginia.gov/Files/Forms/Candidates/PresidentialPrimary-SBE-545B-Consent-Declaration.pdf states that “I understand and agree that my name will appear on the presidential general election ballot only if I am nominated by the political party in whose presidential primary I am participating. Given under my hand this _________ day of _________________________, 2015.”
Yes, Daniel. This is the most important piece right here. None of the rest really matters.
Well why should he or anyone have to sign something like that? An oath or statement, sworn or signed, is a public promise of a personal vow. It means you are staking your character on your promise. Why, to vote you only have to drive, breathe, or mumble — expecting consistency, sentience, or actually keeping a promise is far beyond the skillset required by an ordinary voter. Besides, our betters have seen that our nominees are chosen by the best method designed concentrating power to the wealthy and political elite — the primary system.
Big Tent… How quaint. Hasn’t been one of those in Virginia since the Gilmore days. Anyway…
What position is it of the RPV to determine who is a valid Republican
presidential candidate? Is Cruz valid? How do you know? Then there is
Barry and the birthers. Who decides who is a candidate?
Now they
want to force Trump, a candidate for NATIONAL Office, to sign a local
oath in addition to the stupid petitions and who knows what else? What
if Cruz, Rubio, or Bush fail to sign. Will you dump them as well? The
last time they played with this loyalty oath crap, they lost supporters
in droves. You guys think Virginia is going to be a battle ground state
with stunts like this?
The Koch Klan is making a grave error if they
think this is going to work. Nothing like a Trump/Clinton October
surprise just for spite.
Yes, if you expect a political party to define itself actually choose nominees, and act in it’s own best interest, you are sadly mistaken about Virginia Republicans.
This is the main reason why Trump is thumping the ho-hum, PC-BS standard bearers in the GOP, who for decades have ignored the perils of illegal immigration and third world legal immigration that is destroying this country. What more proof do we need, than this article from National Review of all places? http://www.nationalreview.com/article/422921/birthright-citizenship-economic-costs-incentives
Chris, this is a very well written and saliently constructed piece. Bravo. A few comments:
1. My listeners went berserk over this today and deluged the RPV office with calls. Its outrageous.
2. I refuse to sign any of the RPV’s stupid pledges so go ahead and throw me and my wife out of the party, too. I guess after losing 5 statewide elections you’ve got plenty of expendable voters around. Trump shouldn’t sign any pledges either.
3. This is a disingenuous sinister plot to deny Trump ballot access on a procedure and a direct affront to his supporters.
4. Trump is the GOP frontrunner – new polls show his support surging- do these people live under a rock?
5. There are 83 Central Committee members. That means 42 Republicans in Virginia who have another favorite candidate can deny the current frontrunner ballot access in Virginia and both alienate his supporters and undecided voters. Great way to build the Party!
6. When has an open primary run by the state of Virginia required a pledge and what part of Va. code provides for this?
7. If this vote goes down to deny Trump ballot access, all hell will break loose. And for what purpose.
This is insane. Don’t like Trump? Beat him on March 1. The old fashioned way: with real votes, not tricks. You want to know why his supporters are fervent? Look no further than these shenanigans. The gig is up.
John Fredericks
I agree with your analysis Chris. I refuse to support Trump because of his threat to run as a third party candidate but I don’t want to see him kept off the ballot. In the event of a third party run Trump might gain supporters by arguing he was treated unfairly by the Republican Party. So let’s let the chips fall where they may and not encourage his supporters to jump ship.
Just when you think the Republican party of Virginia can not do any more stupid things, it is amazing they always find another example. I totally agree with Donald Trump. I got thrown out of the Wythe County Republican for the same reason that I would not blanket sign a pledge of support for whom ever the nominee might be. I am not signing ever a blank sheet for an unknown nominee. As a result, I got “resigned” by the chairman (not sure how you resign someone out) from the party after over 30 years of loyal support to the party.
. Donal Trump is not the problem. The problem is plain and simple it is the elite of the Party that is defeating us. Need to throw them all out starting with Whitbeck. We are going to continue to lose in Virginia because we are totally incapable of putting the people before the party
Donald Trump is not going to get the nomination. He prefers to be a “kingmaker” as he likes influence and input which to him is far greater then being president.
Great article. I too hope Virginians choose wisely, unhampered by the RPV’s proposed heavy-hand tactics. Trump 2016!
No more cogent words have been said, Connie.
Considering a loyalty oath for the Presidential nominees.? This is absolutely directed at
Trump. Is the State GOP fearing someone other than their “Establishment” candidate winning?
Last time around it was the restrictive petition policy that limited conservative voters options on the ballot to Romney & Paul.
How about the GOP RPV require the candidates sign a loyalty oath to the voters.
CREED: “That fiscal responsibility and budgetary restraints must be exercised at all levels of government,” Look at NJ. Can Chris Christie commit to this??
CREED: “Less and smaller government;” Jeb Bush supports the Federal Department of Education program “Common Core”
I could go on & on….
Good post. I would add if Whitbeck gets his way Trump will treat him like Megan Kelly.
There is irony here in Loudoun. Our all Republican board won’t even sign a written oath, much less speak it.
You are confusing your oaths. All of our Board of Supervisors signed an oath to support the Republican candidates.
They just said they “intend to support the nominees of the Republican Party in the ensuing election,” but swore no oaths and made no pledges. It’s just a statement of present intent…a way of saying, “I’m on the team with you.” That’s all any of this is, and it keeps getting misrepresented as some sort of oath or enforceable contract. It’s not.
Steve, you and the RPV can shove your pledges. I’ll never sign one. Ever. God gave me the power to choose. The RPV can’t take it away. How about earning my vote?
No one has ever required a pledge or a promise or an oath. In the absence of party registration, a statement of present intent to support the nominee simply serves as evidence of party affiliation. Why is that so offensive?
No one is talking about taking away anyone’s power to choose. Saying otherwise is just hyperventilating about nothing.
If Trump is excluded from the ballot that takes away the choice of over 20% of the voters.
Trump, not a Republican? I’m shocked, that’s like saying there’s gambling, in Casablanca! Since the voters selecting the Republican nominee don’t have to be Republican (nor even intend to be a Republican,) why should we expect a Candidate to be any different?
Nobody is mentioning that a pledge to support would help us not repeat the way Bolling treated our nominee. An aoth to support the nominee works two ways and wopuld bolster support for Trump if he wins.. Its a two way atreet and maintains the integrity of our party structure.
If they win then we hope they will take an oath to protect the constitution.. Before they win do you thjink maybe we should at least ask them to take an oath to upholf our creed?
Oath, schmoath — creed, schmeed — party, schmarty! How can you use terms like ‘Our Party’ when it is neither ‘ours,’ nor a ‘party?’ Republican election operations are run from consultants in lear jets at 50,000 feet carpetbombing campaigns with political precision. Fundraising is candidates chasing rich guys and digital direct mail reiterating messages until they find the words/memes that push YOUR buttons. Grassroots are used to collect voter data that is used by state and national to bypass local units. What is the party for? What does the party do? Select nominees? No. Elect candidates? Not around here — Candidates running for election have their own organizations, they bypass the party grassroots. A handful of old-timers show up at a public building every few weeks and sometimes to fight and argue, pretend they matter and try to justify their existence.
Because party organizations have so much influence from people who actually believe in something, there are established powers who would like the party to be nothing more than a dessicated, empty husk that exists solely to facilitate ballot access. Those people have been very (but not yet completely) effective.
No, we have fabulous people that actually do facilitate ballot access (all of our best volunteers are choosing to get paid a dime a day to guarantee the process because it is more rewarding than the partisan charade.)
The unit parties are used to validate and encourage buy in for the actual decisions made elsewhere and elsewhen.
Yeah, and demanding one shows evidence of party affiliation might, maybe, somehow, kinda, actually suppress people devoid of that.
God may have given you the power to choose, but only the GOP Powers That Be can make your vote irrelevant by watering it down with the ‘Republican for a Day’ masses that are present in a primary.
Yeah! Lets shrink the party and to be sure no one else participates!
I fear you are seeing quantities not qualities. You can have a party process at the Greene Turtle that can equally, nay, better represent the Republican unit than an open primary in that unit would. Don’t be fooled as to the validity of the tyranny of the Majority. Why do we we even need a Senate since we have a House?
And you really can’t get more wishy-washy than ‘intend to support’ — I intend to support my diet right up until I eat the cookie. Afterwards I ‘deeply regret’ and ‘apologize to any I’ve offended’, promise not to do it again and put the second cookie into my pocket.
Excellent post. Recent Republican nominees have tended to be the lowest common denominator because they try to appeal to so many factions. Gutless wonders that can’t say crap if they have a mouthful. Candidates should be able to go their own way rather than be forced to support a loser.
Cuccinelli’s decision to run away from the social issues, as if the liberals wouldnt vigorously campaign on them, was the final straw for me and my affiliation with the GOP. I realized the difference was that GOP wants to elect Republicans, where I am only interested in electing Conservatives. I resigned as precinct captain and won’t campaign for anyone who won’t articulate the truth on immigration. Not a purity test; just a survivalist test for my country.
Conservative Revolt!
If someone is unwilling to declare their support of the Republican Party how can they expect to be called our Republican Nominee?
What’s next? Bernie Sanders declares he is a candidate for the Republican nominee. Since it is an ‘Open Primary’ Democrats can vote so all of a sudden we have a devote Socialist as our Republican Nominee?
It is ridiculous to think we can castrate any oversight we can have who our party nominees will be all in the name of not offending anyone.
How do you plan on enforcing this? Trump is double his next closest rival … your going to take him off the ballot? Have fun with that …
It’s a standard expectation of a candidate to not run as an independent. But it is not normally enforcable.
Yeah, standard expectation is for those who have expected standards — take a look around the 10th. The masses are more important than the parties.
The masses don’t know or care about the details of a party primary. They are interested in their families, their jobs, how the Redskins will do, and what celebrities will do. A very small percentage will even bother to show up for the primary.
Exactly, and this small percentage will NOT be as representative of the Republican party as would be a party run process. However, do remember the objective of the GOPERINO is to see that Jeb Bush is the nominee and that conservatives are neutralized and punished. Having to adhere to ANY type of creed or principle forces your garden variety Republican to be less… flexible after the election.
Hey, the state GOPERINO has done pretty well at manipulating ballot options (McDonnell/Bolling Fast Track nomination; Romney or Paul Presidential; Comstock Choose your own adventure) — Remember, it’s not who votes, nor who counts the votes, but who determines who/how gets to vote.
I’m for America. Not a Party.
Yes, the homeland. The motherland. The Fatherland. Usually doesn’t work out that well historically, but it can this time, by Jingo!
With the Republican’s being responsible for the largest tax increase in Virginia history, their HB 2313. And with the budget increases passed by the Republican controlled Virginia General Assembly, and signed by their now convicted felon governor, being 3-5 times the inflationary or cost of living indexes.
From a fiscal standpoint, one would have to wonder what the Republican’s would do differently if Bernie Sanders were their nominee?
There is nothing stopping Bernie Sanders from being our nominee — our processes and procedures make it easier for him in Virginia. Hell, he could probably win the plurality with our system favoring openness and inclusion — he just needs the money to yank the appropriate chains at the appropriate times. Oh wait, nevermind, that’s reserved for Jeb.
Support of what? Nominee of what? Republicans don’t have Republicans deciding who or what is Republican, so what difference does it make anyway? #sneetches
Excellent post, Chris. You speak Truth to Power.