ONOLULU – Republicans averted an ideological showdown here Friday, passing a tepid party resolution in place of a candidate “purity test.” Rejecting a plan that would have required GOP candidates to meet at least eight of 10 policy questions to receive national support and funding, the Republican National Committee unanimously approved a rule that only “urges” party leaders to support nominees who back the party’s platform.
The author of the original proposal, Indiana national Republican committeeman James Bopp, agreed to withdraw his resolution in the face of overwhelming opposition and backed the watered-down language.
Yet even after the compromise was reached, tempers flared between Republicans on opposing sides of the issue – vividly illustrating the lingering divide between the party’s conservative activist and pragmatic establishment wings.
Talking to reporters in a ballroom following the committee's general session here, where the RNC is holding its winter meeting, Bopp insisted the replacement resolution still amounted to a win for requiring candidates to toe the conservative line.
“You’ve got to determine that the candidate supports all the core principles of the Republican Party before you support them,” he said, explaining the alternate measure.
But when asked whether it was binding, Bopp was cut off by Oregon GOP Chairman Bob Tiernan, who was standing nearby the impromptu press briefing.
“That resolution passed is not binding, it’s a suggestion,” said Tiernan.
As Bopp began to again make his case for the compromise, Tiernan again interjected.
“There’s nothing mandatory or required in there,” the Oregonian noted.
“Can I answer the question, Mr. Chairman?” Bopp shot back.
Continuing, Bopp explained that he thought the RNC’s decision to, for the first time, make it party policy to urge candidates to pledge fealty to the GOP platform represented a significant step.
But Tiernan, standing just over Bopp’s shoulder, again rebutted his committee colleague.
“I’m not going to take that back and make my candidates sign it, that’s ridiculous,” Tiernan said, gesturing toward the compromise resolution in a reporter’s hand. “We don’t have a litmus test and we rejected the litmus test today.”
As Bopp continued, Tiernan again spoke up.
“There’s nothing binding in there,” said the state chair.
“Can I finish?” a plainly annoyed Bopp asked.
“Read the words,” replied Tiernan.
“Shut up,” Bopp finally said.
The Oregonian walked away moments later, but continued to express incredulity in an interview.
“I cannot believe he’s saying what he’s saying,” Tiernan said, noting that the state chairs unanimously voted on Wednesday to reject Bopp’s resolution, a symbolic move that indicated how little support there was for the binding proposal.
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