Republican National Committee Chair Ronna McDaniel called a new interview about her party’s Pledge of Allegiance, which requires eligible candidates to agree to support the eventual GOP presidential nominee in 2024 in order to participate in next month’s debate.
McDaniel, who was elected to a fourth two-year term as president in January, told CNN correspondent Chris Wallace that candidates must accept the “Pete Biden” pledge before the Aug. 23 GOP debate in Milwaukee.
McDaniel told Wallace on an episode of CNN/The Above Poster.
This includes confirmation from former President Donald Trump.
Several Republican presidential candidates who have criticized Trump have questioned the Pledge of Allegiance, which the NTC would make to those who meet the donor criteria under discussion.
Trump has not yet said whether he will sign the pledge of allegiance.
Former Arkansas Governor. Asa Hutchinson and former New Jersey state governor. Chris Christie expressed concern about the request, while former Rep. Will Hurd (R-Texas) said he wouldn’t sign the Pledge of Allegiance because he wouldn’t support Trump.
“I’m not going to change my mind about the Pledge of Allegiance,” Hurd Tansian told MSNBC earlier this week.
“Donald Trump is the sure loser,” he added. “I tell the Republicans that if I elect Donald Trump as the Republican nominee, we will gladly give Biden another four years.”
Trump endorsed McDaniel for his RNC job in 2017 and has expressed support for him in his bid for re-election this year, though he remained neutral for weeks before the vote.
The former president said he could skip the Republican debate next month and instead host an event at the same time.
“If he’s the favorite who’s leading so far at this point that the rest of the field decides to skip the debates, doesn’t that really undermine the credibility and relevance of these debates?” asked RNC Chairman Wallace.
“I think these discussions are crucial,” McDaniel replied. “I hope he will step onto the debate stage. I think he will be on the scene. I know his advisors, some of them say just stand up. I think any time we can stand up to the American people, it will be good for our party.”
“What if he jumps?” Wallace wondered.
She replied, “So he’ll get over it, it’s his choice.”
(media corrosion)
