Priebus to Kasich on pledge: 'It's more than just a piece of paper'

Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus tore into Ohio Gov. John Kasich on Wednesday for failing to live up to last year's pledge to support the party's eventual nominee, which on Tuesday night officially became Donald Trump.

The pledge entailed more than just the candidates' word, Priebus said, and it is time for Kasich and other Republicans to deliver on their commitments.


During a discussion with Fox News' "On the Record," Priebus said he was not sure whether Texas Sen. Ted Cruz would endorse Trump in his speech, while Greta Van Susteren remarked that Kasich has been a no-show at the convention in his own state. "I mean, what's with the pledge? Doesn't it make a difference? Is that just show and tell, or don't they mean it?" Van Susteren asked.

"Well, first of all, Gov. Kasich is a great governor, one of the best in the country. But you know, you're right," Priebus said. "It's more than just a piece of paper. This is a data exchange agreement that campaigns have signed with the RNC. In other words, ‘I want your stuff and your data’ and in order to get that stuff and data, in order to get that stuff and data, what we ask them is that you actually agree to support the Republican nominee. So this isn't just, ‘Oh, it's a piece of paper and doesn't mean anything.' No, you took things and now we want you to support the nominee."

While acknowledging that there were "a lot of bruises in the primary" and "the more bruises that you have, the longer it takes to heal," Priebus predicted, "I think people are going to come around. In fact, there's only a few people that are holding out."