[sevinufnine]

Already, Marco Rubio, Jeb Bush, John Kasich and Ben Carson have affixed their signatures. Moore said in a statement that Scott Walker, Ted Cruz and Lindsey Graham had committed to doing the same, within the next week.

Still missing, among others, are Trump, Carly Fiorina, Rand Paul, Mike Huckabee and Chris Christie.

A spokeswoman for Trump declined to comment on the ultimatum that is clearly directed at the former Democrat who has said he could compete in the general election as an independent if he doesn't win the GOP nomination.

'I want to keep that door open. I have to keep that door open because if something happens where I'm not treated fairly I may very well use that door,' Trump said on CNN several weeks ago.

The state's so-called sore-loser law would block any candidate who seeks the Republican, or Democratic nomination, from running as independent in the general election anyhow.

So, regardless of whether the party includes language on its primary ballot demanding candidates rule out a third-party run, Trump would have to decide whether he's all-in for the Republican Party by the Oct. 1 filing deadline or plan to concede Virginia in the general election as an independent before he knows for certain he won't be the GOP nominee.

[Red Badger]

Sounds like Torquemada’s descendants are alive and well.................

[Arm_Bears]

Well, so much for retiring to South Carolina.

[headstamp 2]

time for a write-in campaign.

[txrefugee]

Sounds like an idea from Hailey “Boss Hog” Barbour from MS.

[Salvavida]

No legal effect.

[Not A Snowbird]

Can they legally do that?

[Dr. Sivana]

Trump would have to decide whether he's all-in for the Republican Party by the Oct. 1 filing deadline or plan to concede Virginia in the general election as an independent before he knows for certain he won't be the GOP nominee.

He could likely have a proxy run in his stead with Trump friendly electors.

[Uncle Miltie]

Revenge of the GOPe.

This is exactly why we hate you.

[Kenny]

Translation, if we cut your legs out from underneath you, riddle you with bullet holes, and toss your worthless carcass in the ocean, you have to promise not to strike back.

[ilgipper]

Sounds to me like Lil Lindsey is the one that needs to sign it. He’s sworn to take down bad, bad meanie Trump no matter what.

[silverleaf]

If he signs the “pledge” ( what is this, a sorority?)
loses to dirty tricks that we have seen,
and breaks the pledge, then what?

Linda already said he would not vote for Trump

[canuck_conservative]

Trump is in the lead, and on track to win it, so it shouldn’t be a big deal ... and it’s obvious other state parties will probably impose a similar requirement, so there’s no avoiding it.

BUT let Trump attach one condition - support only if the GOP doesn’t play any games with the delegates ... if they do that, then the pledge is void

[deweyfrank]

Trump is not being treated fairly. Here we go. Get your popcorn ready.

[Little Ray]

Hmmm.
Does it have any legal force? I’d consider just signing it and ignoring it. Tell ‘em “See ya in court.”

[rightwingcrazy]

Could he still run as a Democrat?

[DannyTN]

They are going to try to thwart the will of 40% of the GOP (and growing)?

1. In the beginning, Trump should ignore it. Let speculation grow. It'll be another topic in which Trump dominates the media. And because it smacks of unfair tactics specifically aimed at Donald, Donald's popularity will rise.
2. Trump should call them out. He should point out that they are trying to require allegiance to an unknown candidate and its similar to passing legislation to find out what's in it. And he should name some names behind the pledge.
3. Can we throw out the leadership of the SC Republican party before the end of next month and change the pledge.
4. The pledge says "Generally support". Which I would assume gives enough wiggle room. Trump could always say a particular candidate is incompetent to promote the Republican platform and therefore he can't support them.
5. Trump should make a point that even though the pledge is undemocratic, that there is no reason to believe he will not be the nominee. So of course he will support the nominee.

[HarleyLady27]

Is this really what the VOTERS want or is this another Linda Graham’s idea and went crying to the GOPee of South Carolina?

I have a hard time thinking there isn’t some underhanded dirt here, the biggest rally of the candidates would want...

Where did all this p.c. crap start anyway??? Has it ever been done before? And then there is Colorado and what they are doing....

[KittenClaws]

Mr. Trump should sign it. Then when the GOPe pulls their dirty tricks, Trump can go third party with a simple explanation:

“I pledged allegiance to The Republican Party - not the GOPe socialists”.

[Bob]

Sounds to me like it might be time to consider a “National Republican Repudiation Day”. For some unknown reason, I’ve remained registered as a Republican. Laziness, I guess.

If thousands of Republicans were to change their registrations to independent on a single day, it might, just might, let the GOPe know that we’re sick of their BS.

[mmichaels1970]

S. Carolina GOP Gives Trump Ultimatum-Pledge Allegiance to Rep. Nominee or You're Off Primary Ballot

It says no such thing...



What one INTENDS to do and what one eventually does are two different things. If he intends to be the nominee, then he certainly intends to support the nominee. If some knucklehead gets the nomination, he could change his mind. He can say he "intended" to support the nominee, but then they nominated a knucklehead.

This is a setup. The media is going to go to General Quarters when he signs this. But this "pledge", to me, seems meaningless and without teeth.

I said in a thread yesterday: I INTEND to be nice to my dog and kids when I go home tonight.