Why the Clamor for Trump's Loyalty Pledge?

Ruben Navarrett Jr. on Aug 23, 2015

More importantly, if Trump were to take the loyalty pledge, how could he continue to call himself a good Republican?

I thought the Republican Party opposed the idea of getting something for nothing? Isn't that why Republicans argue against welfare or other social programs? So why does the GOP expect Trump to unconditionally back the party's nominee sight unseen?

I thought this party didn't believe in entitlements but valued merit. That's what Republicans say when they rail against affirmative action, which some of them must see as non-white privilege. Shouldn't whoever wins the GOP nomination have to earn Trump's support like he or she would that of any other voter?

I thought the GOP was all about competition. Or at least that's what you hear from Republicans who support free trade or promote vouchers for school choice.

Finally, I thought Republicans had low tolerance for playing the victim. If Trump doesn't get the nomination and runs as an independent, you can bet the GOP establishment will claim that the renegade is ruining the party's chances to retake the White House. This sounds like playing the victim to me.

You see, what we're watching isn't simply another nomination battle. It's a war for the soul of a party.

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Ruben Navarrette's email address is ruben@rubennavarrette.com.