A Rundown on GOP Loyalty Oaths

Grand Old Party of Stalin, I guess.

• The Virginia Republican party is requiring a signed oath that you will vote for the Republican presidential nominee.
• The Kansas state Republican Party is forming a loyalty committee to punish officials who endorse or contribute to the wrong people.
• On Vice President Cheney’s recent trip to New Mexico, residents were allowed in to hear his Albuquerque speech only if they signed a loyalty oath swearing they “endorse George W. Bush for reelection of the United States [sic].”
• PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — “I want you to stand, raise your right hands,” and recite “the Bush Pledge,” said Florida state Sen. Ken Pruitt. The assembled mass of about 2,000 in this Treasure Coast town about an hour north of West Palm Beach dutifully rose, arms aloft, and repeated after Pruitt: “I care about freedom and liberty. I care about my family. I care about my country. Because I care, I promise to work hard to re-elect, re-elect George W. Bush as president of the United States.”

These folks have a problem deeper than bad policies.