GOP presidential front-runner Donald Trump blasted the Republican Party of Virginia in a series of tweets Sunday over its requirement that voters in the March 1 primary sign a “statement of affiliation.” The fusillade – in which Trump claims the Republican National Committee controls the state party – reflects his distrust of GOP leaders. It also underscores a danger for the party that its front-runner could bolt and mount an independent run if he thinks party leaders are treating him unfairly. The State Board of Elections — at the behest of the GOP’s State Central Committee — certified Dec. 16 that voters in the 2016 Republican presidential primary will have to fill out a form that says: “My signature below indicates that I am a Republican.”
In the first tweet Sunday, Trump said: “It begins, Republican Party of Virginia, controlled by the RNC, is working hard to disallow independent, unaffiliated and new voters. BAD!” He followed up shortly with another tweet, saying: “R.P. Virginia has lost statewide 7 times in a row. Will now not allow desperately needed new voters. Suicidal mistake. RNC MUST ACT NOW!”
In a third tweet, Trump added: “The voters the Republican Party of Virginia are excluding will doom any chance of victory. The Dems LOVE IT! Be smart and win for a change!”
In a fourth tweet, Trump wrote: “Straighten out The Republican Party of Virginia before it is too late. Stupid! RNC”
Delegate David Ramadan, R-Loudoun, a frequent critic of Trump, responded with his own series of tweets, including one in which Ramadan wrote to Trump: “Our party, our rules; your $$$ and your bullying do not work in the commonwealth. MORON!!”
Full Article: Trump blasts Virginia GOP for requiring ‘statement of affiliation’ in March 1 primary – Waynesboro News Virginian: News.