Republicans Must Sign Loyalty Pledge to Debate Who Wants and Who Doesn’t?
To run in the first Republican presidential debate on Aug. 23, candidates must meet challenging new criteria, including at least 40,000 backers and voter support of at least 1 percent in three approved polls. But the requirement that causes the most consternation is a pledge to support the final nominee.
The candidates will only be given the pledge after meeting the other qualifications, according to a person familiar with the process, and will have up to 48 hours before the debate to meet those criteria, giving them until the last minute have to make a decision. This is what they have said:
Donald J Trump
Not clear. Former President Donald J. Trump has not said whether he will sign the pledge.
In February, he declined to commit to supporting the eventual nominee, telling Conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt, “It should depend on who the nominee was.” But that was before the Republican National Committee made the pledge a debate requirement.
Even if he signs, it probably won’t mean much. He signed the same pledge in 2015 and then reneged on it.
Ron DeSantis
Not clear. When asked last month if he would support Mr. Trump in a general election, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis did not give an unequivocal answer.
Mr. DeSantis vaguely indicated that he might make the pledge, saying, “You respect the process and you respect the decisions of the people.” But he made no commitment.
Doug Burgum
Yes. Gov. Doug Burgum of North Dakota has indicated that it will sign the pledge.
“I’m going to support anyone who puts forward the Republican nominee in 2024.” he told ABC News.
Chris Christie
Mixed messages. Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie has suggested he will sign the pledge, “I will do what I have to do to be on that podium,” he told CNN.
“I’m going to take the pledge as seriously as Donald Trump did in 2016,” he said, adding that he considered it “useless” and had told the RNC as much.
Nikki Haley
Yes. Nikki Haley, former governor of South Carolina and former United Nations ambassador, has committed to sign the pledge.
“Absolutely irresponsible that Trump, DeSantis and others are not 100% committed to supporting the Republican nominee,” she said. wrote on Twitter. “There is no room for personal feuds in this fight to save our country.”
Will Hurd
No. Former Representative Will Hurd of Texas is the only candidate who has ruled out signing the pledge.
“I can’t lie to get access to a microphone,” he told CNN, adding: “I am not going to support Donald Trump. I recognize the impact it has on my ability to access the debate stage, but I can’t lie.”
Asa Hutchinson
Mixed messages. Former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson has ruled out vote for Mr. Trump if convicted of a felony, but said he would sign the pledge out of confidence that Mr. Trump would not win the primary.
“You should make the pledge based on the fact that Donald Trump will not be our nominee and you have every confidence in it,” he said. told ABC News.
He asked the RNC to “clarify that there is no pledge to support a nominee if found guilty of espionage or a serious crime.” (The RNC said no.) At the same time, he says he will do what is necessary, because the debates are important.
Mike Pence
Mixed messages. Former Vice President Mike Pence initially seemed committed at a CNN town hall eventsaying, “I have always supported the Republican nominee for President in the United States, and I will support the Republican nominee in 2024.”
But he struggled to reconcile that with his claim that “anyone who puts himself above the constitution,” as he says Trump did, “should never be president.”
He said he didn’t believe Mr. Trump would win and dodged follow-up questions. “I don’t think my old running mate will be the Republican nominee for president, and I’m very confident, very confident that we will be able to support the Republican nominee,” he said. not if it’s Mr. Trump.
Vivek Ramaswamy
Mixed messages. The entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy has waffled on the promise.
In February he said he would make it. But last month he made a reservation: “If the other candidates in this race make that promise, I will stand my ground and be prepared to,” he told Fox Newsadding: “I am ready to play ball, but I demand that the other candidates also play ball.”
Tim Scot
Yes. Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina has indicated that he will sign.
“Any Republican candidate would be better than any Democratic candidate,” he told Fox Newswhile saying he was confident he would win the nomination.
Francis Suarez
Yes. Miami Mayor Francis Suarez did not vote for Mr Trump in 2020, but says he will sign the pledge.
“I think any Republican candidate who wants to stand on the debate stage should pledge to support the nominee, and I will.” he told ABC News.