GOP in Virginia abandons loyalty pledge

RICHMOND, Va., Dec. 1 (UPI) -- Republican leaders in Virginia abandoned plans requiring voters to sign a loyalty pledge to the Republican presidential candidate before the Feb. 12 primary.

The 86-member Virginia Republican State Central Committee said Friday it deserted plans for Republicans to sign a pledge stating "I, the undersigned, pledge that I intend to support the nominee of the Republican Party for president," The Washington Post reported Saturday.

"We have heard the voice of the people," said Virginia's GOP party chairman, John H. Hager. "It's a new day, and our job has to be to build the party. We welcome new people into the party. We want as many people as possible participating if they share our principles and values."

A clause on the pledge said anyone refusing to sign "will not be permitted to vote."

Party loyalists said the pledge showed divisiveness and shunned independent voters from embracing the GOP platform.