Should the Virginia GOP Abandon Its Loyalty Pledge?

Most Republican candidates seeking the party’s nomination to run for president failed to qualify for the Virginia GOP primary ballot this year. In addition, the state party intends to ask primary participants to sign a pledge to support the national nominee in the general election. Now party leaders are clamoring for a way to change the pledge requirement.

Only Mitt Romney, the former governor of Massachusetts, and U.S. Rep. Ron Paul (Texas) will appear on primary ballots in the state.

Lawsuits have been filed by some candidates who oppose the strict requirements for getting on the ballot in Virginia (see Washington Post story). 

The Washington Post reported this week that Republican Party of Virginia Chairman Pat Mullins is pondering whether to eliminate the “loyalty” pledge.

The situation could result in fewer people participating in the primary, according to opponents of the rule. One reason for that is because voters could be concerned that they would not be able to vote for someone like Ron Paul, who is on the Virginia primary ballot, if he loses the bid nationally but runs on a third-party ticket.

Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell also weighed in this week, issuing the following statement:

"Over the past few days I have reviewed the issue of the proposal that voters sign a loyalty oath as a requirement for participation in our upcoming GOP Presidential Primary in March. While I fully understand the reasoning that led to the establishment of this requirement, such an oath is unenforceable and I do not believe it is in the best interests of our Party, or the Commonwealth. The effect of the oath could be one of diminishing participation in the primary, at a time when our Party must be expanding its base and membership as we head into the pivotal 2012 general elections this fall. For these reasons, I urge the State Central Committee to rescind the loyalty oath requirement at its upcoming meeting on the 21st.

It is true that for political parties to remain viable they must have some means by which to control their own nomination processes. I know the loyalty oath was proposed as a possible good faith solution to this issue in this primary election, but there are other ways. I would support legislation to establish voluntary party registration in Virginia. Such a reform to our electoral system would eliminate the need for any oaths or pledges and greatly simplify the nomination process in the Commonwealth."

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