As the Republican National Committee circulates a loyalty pledge to 2016 GOPers aimed at reining in any potential independent run by Donald Trump, RNC Chairman Reince Priebus will meet with Trump Thursday, a spokesman confirmed to the New York Times.
The GOP frontrunner’s official schedule includes a press conference from his Trump Tower in New York at 2 p.m. Sources tell CNN that they believe Trump is willing to sign the pledge — which stipulates GOP 2016 primary candidates will not run for president as an independent and will support the eventual Republican nominee — but caution that nothing is guaranteed with the brash billionaire. A source described as a “close associate” tells Politico Trump will indeed sign the pledge. Bloomberg also reports that a “top adviser” said Trump will sign.
However Trump campaign manager Corey Lewandowski told Politico in a phone interview, “I don’t think you can ‘expect’ ANYTHING from Mr. Trump.”
Fears that Trump would mount an independent or third party run have been bubbling in Republican circles since Trump joined the GOP primary field. At the Fox News debate last month, Trump refused to rule out a third party run.
A copy of the pledge provided to Politico by one of the other campaigns reads as follows:
“I [name] affirm that if I do not win the 2016 Republican nomination for president of the United States I will endorse the 2016 Republican presidential nominee regardless of who it is. I further pledge that I will not seek to run as an independent or write-in candidate nor will I seek or accept the nomination for president of any other party.”
This story has been updated.
Don’t do it Donald! The Donald will never be caged! The Donald will never be barred. The Donald will never be tied down (unless he pays for it). The DONALD is YUUUGGGGGEEE!!!
I can’t imagine what they would have to offer him to get him to take such a pledge. Why would he do it if it would, effectively, take away all of the leverage he currently enjoys? Do the Republicans really believe they can just pay Trump to surrender? What would his fan club think if he agreed?
I’m sure Trump will incorporate a few strike throughs and asterisks before signing. A business man as astute as The Donald would never sign an unabridged contract on someone else’s ‘paper’.
Then what is his point? If he gives up the only weapon he has how is he going to fight? Without the 3rd party shit there is no reason for the GOP not to ax this asshole. He had therm on eggshells because they feared a 3rd party run that would ensure a whopping defeat for the GOP candidate.
There is more to this then whats above. Trump would not expose himself this way.
I am quite sure I can “expect” Trump to make a shitty President if elected.