Those who refuse to sign the Pledge or backslide are subjected to primary fights against well-funded opponents backed by Norquist. &amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;gt; These are people in North Carolina who voted for a tax increase when they said they wouldn't, and down here in blue is which ones were defeated in the next election. &amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;gt; Is there any set of circumstances in which you would condone a tax increase or release people from the Pledge? &amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;gt; The Pledge is not to me. 