Republican National Committee Chair Ronna McDaniel doubled down in a new interview on her party’s loyalty pledge, which requires qualifying candidates to agree to back the GOP’s eventual presidential nominee in 2024 in order to participate in a debate next month.
McDaniel, who was elected to a fourth two-year term as chair in January, told CNN’s Chris Wallace that candidates must agree to the “Beat Biden” pledge before a GOP debate in Milwaukee on Aug. 23.
“And what we’re saying ... is if you’re going to stand on the Republican National Committee debate stage, you should be able to support the nominee and beat Biden,” McDaniel told Wallace on an episode of his CNN/Max show.
That includes former President Donald Trump, she confirmed.
Several GOP presidential candidates who have criticized Trump havequestioned the loyalty pledge, which the RNC will present to those who meet the donor and polling criteria for the debate.
Trump has yet to say whether he would sign the loyalty pledge.
Former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson and ex-New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie have shown concern over the requirement, while former Rep. Will Hurd (R-Texas) said he would not sign a loyalty pledge as he was not going to back Trump.
“I’m not changing my opinion on the loyalty pledge,” Hurd told MSNBC earlier this week.
“Donald Trump is a proven loser,” he added. “I tell Republicans if you elect Donald Trump for the Republican nominee, then we are willingly giving Biden four more years.”
Trump endorsed McDaniel for her RNC post in 2017 and voiced his support for her in her reelection bid this year, although he was neutral in the weeks leading up to the vote.
The former president has said he may skip the Republican debate next month and instead hold an event at the same time.
“If the front-runner who at this point is far ahead of the rest of the field decides to skip the debates, isn’t that going to really cut into the credibility and the importance of these debates?” Wallace asked the RNC chair.
“I think these debates are critical,” McDaniel replied. “I hope he joins the debate stage. I think he’ll be on the debate stage. I know his consultants, some of them are saying just skip it. I think anytime we can get in front of the American people is good for our party.”
“And what if he skips it?” Wallace questioned.
“Then he skips it, that’s his choice,” she replied.
(H/T Mediaite)