Oregon Public Broadcasting

Plans for a post-primary Republican show of unity in Washington have faltered. Tea party favorite Clint Didier refused Friday to automatically endorse Dino Rossi for U.S. Senate. Austin Jenkins reports that Didier appears to be reneging on a pledge he made to the Republican Party chair.

Last month at a Republican gathering in Bellevue, I asked Clint Didier if he lost the primary, would he back Rossi for U.S. Senate against Patty Murray.

Didier responded that he's rooting for – as he put it – "whoever can beat Patty."

At that same event, Didier told Washington State Republican Party Chair Luke Esser he was on board with a post-primary Republican unity event.

But now Didier is singing a different tune.

He told reporters at a Seattle news conference that he'd only back Rossi if the suburban Seattle Republican signed a pledge: to not raise taxes or vote for any increase in federal spending and sponsor an anti-abortion bill if elected.

Rossi's spokeswoman quickly fired back saying: "Dino will continue to campaign on the things he believes, and will not submit to a list of demands made by anyone."