Home McDonnell: Loyalty oath not in the best interests of GOP
Local News

McDonnell: Loyalty oath not in the best interests of GOP

Contributors

Gov. Bob McDonnell issued the following statement this morning regarding the proposed “loyalty oath” that all voters seeking to participate in the March GOP presidential primary in Virginia would be required to sign in order to cast a vote.

“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.”

Contributors

Contributors

Have a guest column, letter to the editor, story idea or a news tip? Email editor Chris Graham at [email protected]. Subscribe to AFP podcasts on Apple PodcastsSpotifyPandora and YouTube.

Latest News

snow and ice sunrise sunset
Virginia News

Snow, sleet, freezing rain possible on Saturday in Virginia, West Virginia

non dairy milk
Local News

Rockingham County: Teamsters announce deal with Danone with pay, benefit increases

Teamsters Local 29, which represents 550 dairy workers at the Danone North America plant in Rockingham County, have ratified a new contract that includes significant pay and benefit increases. “Our members deserve a great contract that reflects the sacrifice and commitment they provide to making Danone successful, and that is exactly what we accomplished,” said...

kymora johnson uva basketball
Basketball, Sports

Women’s Basketball: #22 Florida State coasts past Virginia, 101-68

Florida State, up 18 at halftime, erased all doubt with a 34-point third quarter, on its way to a 101-68 rout of Virginia on Thursday at JPJ.

mom and daughter, Tammy and Kaitlyn Duffy
Virginia News

‘Make a plan’: Virginia mom fulfills promise to daughter who was killed by a drunk driver

Local News

Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library to display Kushnir art of Shenandoah Valley

baseball
Baseball, Sports

Fredericksburg Nationals will pay homage to all-Black team in 2025 season

ben cline elon musk
Politics, U.S. & World News

Elon Musk fanboy Ben Cline goes to bat for neo-Nazi billionaire buddy