unchallenged force within the republican party, a unilateral king maker. many have signed his pledge, at least until a year ago when arguably the most conservative republican in the senate broke rank. >> but here's -- if people's taxes go up in some way, it would appear to be a violation of the pledge that you signed with taxpayer protection pledge, and this piece, you vow to oppose any debt elimination or reduction of credits unless matching dollar for dollar reducing tax rates. if taxes go up in some capacity, would you not be in violence of that pledge? >> well, i think which pledge is most important, david, is the pledge to uphold your oath to the constitution of the united states or a pledge from a special interest group who claims to speak for all of american conservatives when, in fact, they really don't.