What's The Story With These Pledges/Vows That Repugs Are Asked To Sign.......

[global1]

First off - who thinks of these things? Second - why do Repug candidates feel compelled to sign them? Seems to me that they are coerced or blackmailed into signing them. I heard about the one that Grover Norquist circulated with respect to (I think) taxes. Now I heard Lawrence O'Donnell talking about some Marriage Vow that was circulated for them to sign. I guess this is the one that Bachmann and Santorum signed and Newt has not done so yet.

When did this whole pledge/vow thing start? And why is it only Repugs get forced into them? Just curious.

[Lifelong Protester]

1. I'm with you, it is weird. I have no insight as to why they

do it, but it seems endemic with them. I'd like to do some historical research as to whether or not these pledges or 'purity tests' or whatever have ever occured in the past.

[brooklynite]

2. Simple answers...

Who thinks of these things? - Advocacy groups who want to generate some publicity for their cause

why do Repug candidates feel compelled to sign them? - either to pander to a group whose members will prospectively vote for the candidate, or out of fear that the group will risk the candidate's chances in a highly partisan primary.

Consider T-Paw. He's failed to establish himself as the rational alternative to Mittens, so his only alternative is to out-crazy Bachmann on both economic and social policy.

[global1]

3. We Should Form A Bunch Of Fictious Advocacy Groups And Come Up With All Kinds Of Half-Baked.........

pledges/vows for these Repug candidates to sign. Lets box them into a corner with all kinds of restrictions. Hmmmm......

I bet DUer's here could come up with a bunch of crazy ideas for pledges for them to sign. DU should run a contest.

[saras]

4. You can't top the real ones any more than you can parody heavy metal music