You cannot take much from an apology forced. Nor can you put much stock in someone claiming they really want to reach out to others after they insult their intelligence and try and force them to act a certain way. When I heard the news the VA GOP was going to require an oath from primary voters to vote for the GOP presidential nominee in the general election – no matter who it ultimately turns out to be – I had heard enough from the dysfunctional and idiotic GOP party of my home state.

The GOP here in VA is in deep trouble already because it has chased independents like myself from any interest in joining the party I am naturally aligned to. So now that they created the backlash by this act of stupidity I am just not buying their BS about being inclusive now that they finally realized how badly they just botched it:

Virginia Republican leaders decided yesterday to scrap plans to require voters to sign a loyalty pledge before they cast their ballots in the Feb. 12 presidential primary.

The decision by the 86-member Virginia Republican State Central Committee, meeting in Crystal City, came after a public outcry over the pledge and mounting concern among party leaders that it could drive independents and moderate Republicans away from GOP candidates.

“We have heard the voice of the people,” said John H. Hager, the state party chairman. “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.”

…

Some party activists say the pledge would have sent a signal that Virginia Republicans do not want to reach out to the many voters who are not affiliated with either party but who often decide statewide races.

Virginia does not require voters to register by party. A survey in May by The Washington Post, the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation and Harvard University found that 30 percent of voters consider themselves to be independents.

Share their principles and values? How about they work to respect our principles and values and stop this insane purity purge the GOP is all about these days. No more derogatory names like “RINO” or “traitor” or “el Presidente Jorge Bush”. If we need to be “good Republican” then forget it – the clique types can live in their little echo chambers for all I care.

One thing did come true that I predicted in my last post on this subject – I will be voting in the GOP primary without taking any damn fool oath of allegiance! And if the GOP goes too far right they can keep losing elections until they realize they cannot make changes in this country without the assistance of the moderates and independents. Respect us or live without us in the minority – it is pretty simple math. 20% cannot win governing coalitions. Independents, however, can wield our pivotal votes in any governing coalition. Don’t lose sight of the facts here.