Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel doubled her party’s loyalty pledge ahead of the first GOP primary debate that requires qualified candidates to agree to endorse the party’s eventual 2024 presidential nominee.
McDaniel, who was elected to a fourth two-year term as president in January, revealed to CNN’s Chris Wallace that the candidates are expected to accept the “Beat Biden” pledge ahead of the debate in Milwaukee next month.
“And what we’re saying … is if you’re going to stand on the stage of the Republican National Committee debate, you should be able to support the candidate and beat Biden,” McDaniel told Wallace.
Several GOP presidential candidates who have criticized former President Donald Trump have also questioned the loyalty pledge, which the RNC will present to those who meet donor and polling criteria for the debate.
Former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson and former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie expressed concern about the requirement, while former Rep. Will Hurd (R-Texas) said he would not sign the loyalty pledge because he was not going to support Trump.
“I’m not changing my mind about the loyalty pledge,” Hurd told MSNBC earlier this week.
“Donald Trump is a proven loser,” he said. “I say to Republicans if you elect Donald Trump for the Republican nominee, then we gladly give Biden four more years.”
Trump has yet to confirm whether he will also sign the loyalty pledge.
The CNN host then asked McDaniel – whom Trump endorsed for his RNC job in 2017 – if “even” the former president has to fulfill the loyalty pledge requirement before pressing her further on the matter.
“If the favorite who at this point is way ahead of the rest of the field decides to skip the debates, isn’t that really going to hurt the credibility and importance of those debates?” Wallace asked.
“I think these debates are crucial. I hope he will join the debate stage. I think he will be on the debate stage. I know his consultants, some of them say it’s enough to do without it. I think any time we can stand in front of the American people, it’s good for our party,” McDaniel said.
“What if he skips it?” Wallace asked.
“So he jumps, it’s his choice,” she replied.
(H/T Mediaite)