Politics –
Trump Signs GOP Loyalty Pledge
Last week, Donald Trump made his fellow Republicans giddy with glee when he (finally) signed the GOP loyalty pledge, promising to support whomever becomes the eventual Republican nominee for president and to not run as a 3rd party candidate.  However, the business savvy Trump is well aware this “pinky swear” of a pledge isn’t worth the paper it’s printed on.
Politics
Trump met privately with Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus, who was given a directive from party bigwigs to find a way to rein Trump in without insulting him into making a 3rd party run. When Priebus emerged from the meeting grinning like a Cheshire cat, it was clear to members of the press gathered in the lobby of Trump Tower that the Republican front-runner had indeed signed the loyalty pledge.
“The best way for the Republicans to win is if I win the nomination and go directly against whoever they happen to put up. And for that reason, I have signed the pledge,” Trump said, holding up the paper. “So I will be totally pledging my allegiance to the Republican Party and for the conservative principles for which it stands.”
Notice Trump’s choice of words. He said “The best way for the Republicans to win is if I win the nomination.” He made no mention of being supportive of whoever wins, even if it’s not him.
“We will go out and fight hard, and we will win,” he added.
Yes, Trump signed the loyalty pledge, but no, it is not a legal document. Nor is it binding or enforceable.  So what exactly can the GOP do to hold Trump to his word via the document and his signature?  Absolutely nothing!
Rest assured, Donald Trump did not become a successful real estate and media tycoon by being foolish and shortsighted. On the contrary. For a businessman as smart as Trump, he ALWAYS has an out clause — and this time is no different.
If Trump gets fed up with the GOP and bolts the party to run his own campaign, what exactly can and/or will Republicans do to prevent him from going back on his word? Again, absolutely nothing!
Politics
Unlike most Republicans playing the political game, they can never afford to burn bridges because they never know when they will need a future favor from a party leader. Well, Trump doesn’t really need the Republican Party. So, in spite of signing the pledge, Trump can still ditch the GOP, launch his 3rd party bid and thumb his nose at the pretend piece of paper he was bribed into signing, since it is useless.  But how?
Being the showman that he is, the sly billionaire would likely not switch party’s and just move on. The theatrical Trump would need to create a diversionary tactic to save face so that Republicans look like the bad guys while he comes out on top. For example, he could claim the GOP broke the pledge by instigating some wrong against him, which forced his hand and left him no alternative but to launch his own 3rd party candidacy. Smart.
With this make-believe loyalty pledge, the Republican Party is playing checkers — but Donald Trump is playing chess. He would never sign such a pledge that locked him in without an out clause. A man like Trump needs flexibility and, fortunately for him, he’s got it.
After all, if Trump does decide to discard the loyalty pledge and launch a 3rd party candidacy on his own, what can the Republican Party do about it? Â Absolutely nothing!
.
Notice Trump’s choice of words. He said “The best way for the Republicans to win is if I win the nomination.” He made no mention of being supportive of whoever wins, even if it’s not him. […]
BINGO! Yes, I caught his *play* on words too DJ….lol
Add to that – he is keenly aware that the other Repub candidates have signed the same pledge. So if Trump is the nominee they'll have no choice but to support him.
And though Trump knows it would be very difficult for him to even get on the ballot in many states if he runs as an Independent, I don't think there's any question…he'll do it in a heartbeat if he doesn't win the Repub nomination.
The man is a piece of work and he's got the GOP by the um…..well you know.