As Donald Trump continues to garner attention and traction in the polls, two state Republican parties are trying to place obstacles in the real estate mogul’s path to the Republican nomination.
The Republican parties in Virginia and North Carolina are both considering forcing candidates to sign a pledge that they will not run as an independent in order to qualify for the GOP primary ballot, according to Politico. The move could either keep Trump off of the ballot or keep him from launching an independent bid if he loses the Republican nomination.
Virginia GOP Chairman John Whitbeck told Politico that the pledge to support the eventual Republican nominee “isn’t about any single candidate.” He said that the party is considering numerous new rules.
“It happens to be one of the things that we are discussing for the 2016 primary,” he said.
Republican officials in North Carolina have been consulting lawyers as to how to implement the new rule, according to Politico. Both parties will have to submit final rules to the Republican National Committee by Oct. 1.
Is that even legal? (Serious question.) Regardless, it does show just how terrified the GOP is of Trump.
Very likely not. Even if it is, it could severely bankrupt the state parties by causing Trump to sue them over it and that would then drain them of a lot of funds.
Hardy-har-har
Think of it as a ‘Voter ID Law’ for the GOP candidates. That way it’s more palatable for the rest of the party to support.
There’s nothing at all to keep Trump from agreeing up front to support the GOP nominee, and then backing off that agreement and running as a third party candidate over some imagined slight or disrespect from the party should he not get the nomination.
If the state parties think they can keep that from happening they’re living in a dream world…Trump plays by his own rules.