In a recent Arizona Republican Party newsletter, Chairman Jonathan Lines issued marching orders for elected Republican officials in clear, concise, mildly threatening terms:

Lines declared that office holders must "stand with” President Donald Trump. And that it is "non-negotiable."

Are you listening, Sen. Martha McSally?

Non-negotiable.

I kinda think he's talking to you

Because while no names were mentioned, it sounds as if the chairman might just be talking to you. After all, you're now the only Arizona Republican in the U.S. Senate. And you have an election coming up in 2020.

Chairman Lines was in a tizzy over an essay written by newly elected Utah Sen. Mitt Romney in which Romney was critical of Trump.

Among other things, Romney said that Trump had not “risen to the mantle of the office.”

He added, “I do not intend to comment on every tweet or fault. But I will speak out against significant statements or actions that are divisive, racist, sexist, anti-immigrant, dishonest or destructive to democratic institutions.”

It's what the late Sen. John McCain was doing and would have continued to do.

A demand to 'stand with our president'

Lines said Romney's essay was "very critical of our President, and Republicans rightly have criticized both his words, and the fact that he used the pages of the Washington Post, one of the most anti-Trump newspapers in the country, to deliver them.”

He added – and part of this is hilarious:

“One of the things I’ve always loved about our party is that we are a big tent. We have room for everyone. That’s why, as your Chairman, I’ve done my best to welcome as many different viewpoints and coalitions as possible into our party… However, while we are accepting of different viewpoints, it is essential that we stay true to our conservative values. And it is non-negotiable that we stand with our President.”

Did you catch the hilarity?

Maybe the tent isn't actually that big

It’s the part where Lines says “we have room for everyone” and welcomes “many different viewpoints” but says that standing with Trump is “non-negotiable.”

In other words, you can have any viewpoint you want … as long as you agree with Trump.

Are you paying attention, Sen. McSally?

Lines really REALLY reinforces this point. He says that he is “strongly supportive of President Donald J. Trump.” And that in 2020 he plans to “deliver our state once again for President Trump.” And that the “Arizona GOP will be doing everything in its power to continue to stand up for President Trump and win in 2020!”

During her campaign for the Senate, McSally alternated between calling Democrat Kyrsten Sinema, who defeated her, a traitor and kowtowing to Trump, even to the point of disrespectfully snubbing Sen. McCain.

Kowtowing to Trump didn't work, but ...

That strategy failed.

McSally has struck a more conciliatory tone since being appointed to the Senate by Gov. Doug Ducey. She says she’ll work with Sinema and that they share a “lot of common ground.”

I'd guess that isn't a message Trump voters want to hear.

McSally would like to carve out a reputation as a centrist, but she knows she can't win without those Trump voters, who live way to the right of center.

The newly appointed senator, already gearing up for another election, needs some wiggle room. But the state GOP chairman says standing with Trump is "non-negotiable."

Reach Montini at ed.montini@arizonarepublic.com.

MORE BY MONTINI: