South Caroina republicans in the County of Laurens are apparently forcing Republicans that run for public office sign a pledge before being allowed to run for public office as their standard bearer.
Ed Schultz took on the topic, and in today's political climate predictably focused on the provisions requiring sexual purity:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/...
I encourage you to watch Ed Schultz's for details mentioned below, but also for the entertainment value. My point of departure here, is something Schultz did not mention. They're not just ASKING candidates to sign.
We all know organisations like the National Organization for Marriage who ask candidates to sign a pledge to defend marriage, or like Grover Norquist to sign a pledge not to raising taxes. These pledges are intended to be a statement of purpose and endears the candidate to certain wing-nut constituencies. You can choose not sign those pledges and still run for office though. You may not win, but it's not a REQUIREMENT to participate in the party primary.
According to one candidate for public office, who asked not to be identified, he was told that filing out the necessary paperwork is not sufficient anymore. In order to run for office as as a Republican in Laurens county, the candidate MUST sign the pledge and MUST submit themselves to a 3 person subcommittee for approval. Their recommendation will determine whether your in or out.
If you don't sign the pledge, if you aren't approved by the sub-committee, you cannot run on the ballot as a Republican. Period.
So apparently, it is not the people of South Carolina, who get to decide whether you are a good enough Republican, its the party leadership. I can think of some governments that also require such qualifications to run for office.
In Iran:
Iranian candidates must sign a pledge affirming their commitment to Islam, and a particular interpretation of Islamic law in order to run for office. In fact, candidates must be pre-approved by the Guardian Council. If they are not approved, they are not allowed to run for office. They are disqualified as a political candidate.
In Stalinist Russia:
Party members were required to sign a pledge affirming their commitment to the central governing party.
Here's the link to the story:
http://www.clintonchronicle.com/...
According to the Clinton Chronicle, the pledge says:
You must oppose abortion, in any circumstances.
You must uphold the right to have guns, all kinds of guns.
You must endorse the idea of a balanced state and federal budget, whatever it takes, even if your primary responsibility is to be sure the county budget is balanced.
You must favor, and live up to, abstinence before marriage.
You must be faithful to your spouse. Your spouse cannot be a person of the same gender, and you are not allowed to favor any government action that would allow for civil unions of people of the same sex.
You cannot now, from the moment you sign this pledge, look at pornography.
You must have:
“A compassionate and moral approach to Teen Pregnancy;”
“A commitment to Peace Through Strength in Foreign Policy;” and
“A high regard for Unites States Sovereignty.”
These are just a few of the 28 principles of Republicanism, some taken from the Jeffersonian view of democracy, that candidates must pledge to adhere to if they want to be allowed on the Laurens County Republican primary ballot.
These are in addition to the qualifications outlined in state law.
I bolded three that were of particular note.
Obviously being gay or supporting gay marriage automatically disqualifies you. You gotta get you homophobic hate on to be eligible to run for office here.
The second, "A compassionate and moral approach to Teen Pregnancy" is the GOP's dog-whistle frame for abstinence. A compassionate moral approach does not involve contraception of course, because, you know, according to Rush Limbaugh, women who use contraception are sluts and prostitutes.
The last phrase is the kicker: These are in addition to the qualifications outlined in state law.