RNC Chair: GOPers Should ‘Pledge Not To Run As A Third-Party Candidate’

Reince Priebus, Chairman of the Republican Party, introduces Dr. Ben Watson as the luncheon speaker at the Republican National Committee meetings Thursday, Jan. 15, 2015, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi)
Start your day with TPM.
Sign up for the Morning Memo newsletter

Following a threat from Donald Trump that he may consider running as an independent, Republican National Committee Chair Reince Priebus said on Monday morning that all Republican presidential candidates should commit to run only as a member of the GOP.

“Certainly, I think our candidates should pledge not to run as a third-party candidate,” he said on NBC’s “Today.” “I don’t see that happening. I think everyone understands that if Hillary Clinton’s going to get beat, she’s going to get beat by a Republican. And most people that run for president run to win, and if our candidates want to win, then they’ll have to run as a Republican.”

Priebus shied away from criticizing Trump on Monday morning, noting that the real estate mogul is “speaking out to people that are really frustrated with Washington.” And he indicated that he’s not concerned that Trump will damage the party’s image during the 2016 election.

“I think people understand that everyone speaks for themselves, and I’m not worried about that. But I do agree that tone matters and how you speak matters. It’s kind of like what our moms all told us: Sometimes it’s not what you say, it’s how you say it. And I think that’s very clear. I think most people understand that,” Priebus said.

Despite Trump’s threat, Priebus said he isn’t worried that the billionaire would decide to run as a third-party candidate.

Latest Livewire

Notable Replies

  1. That is some really good thinking right there, Reince is a smart fellow !

  2. Running as sons of the Confederacy is just fine, though.

  3. AHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHA!!! sniff, “Oh, My!”
    That is just precious.
    Why don’t you make them all wear “Purity Rings” and tatoo a Republican Elephant on their foreheads too?

  4. How about the GOP start with a pledge not to destroy America or drive us into debt handing more money to the rich.

  5. Avatar for paulw paulw says:

    And this pledge would be enforced how? Priebus has just given Trump an enormous gift – when you start whining at people to stay, they pretty much know they own you.

Continue the discussion at forums.talkingpointsmemo.com

8 more replies

Participants

Avatar for system1 Avatar for paulw Avatar for brooklyndweller Avatar for artemisia Avatar for ecmiles Avatar for jinx_tpm Avatar for mantan Avatar for chelsea530 Avatar for arc_of_the_universe Avatar for khaaannn Avatar for fiftygigs Avatar for clauscph

Continue Discussion
Masthead Masthead
Founder & Editor-in-Chief:
Executive Editor:
Managing Editor:
Deputy Editor:
Editor at Large:
General Counsel:
Publisher:
Head of Product:
Director of Technology:
Associate Publisher:
Front End Developer:
Senior Designer: