In last night's debate, Donald Trump was asked if he would reassert his promise not run as a third party candidate. His answer was surprisingly deferential.
"I've gained great respect for the Republican leadership," said Trump. "I've never done this process before. I've never been a politician. I mean, for the last six months, I've been a politician. But I will tell you, I am totally committed to the Republican Party. I feel very honored to be the frontrunner."
During The Glenn Beck Program Wednesday, Glenn and co-host Pat wondered if perhaps comments made this week by Mark Levin and Rush Limbaugh --- who lambasted Trump for attacking Senator Ted Cruz and Supreme Court Justice Anthony Scalia --- made an impact.
"I think something affected him this week," mused Pat.
Agreeing, Glenn offered his take: "I think it was the loss of Mark Levin and Rush Limbaugh."
Listen to a segment from the program below:
Below is a rush transcript of this segment, it might contain errors.
GLENN: So let's start with the two promises that were made last night. One was Donald Trump. He was asked, "Will you again reassert that you will not run as a third party?"
VOICE: Are you ready to reassure Republicans tonight that you will run as a Republican and abide by the decision of the Republicans?
DONALD: I really am. I'll be honest. I really am. I mean, people have been putting me to the test -- I really am. Can I just finish?
VOICE: Oh, please.
DONALD: I've gained great respect for the Republican leadership. I've gained great respect for many -- and I'm going to even say all. I mean, in different forms for the people on the dais. In different forms. In different forms.
But I have great respect for the people I've met through this process. I've never done this process before. I've never been a politician. I mean, for the last six months, I've been a politician. But I will tell you, I am totally committed to the Republican Party. I feel very honored to be the frontrunner.
(applauding)
And I --
PAT: I think something affected him this week.
GLENN: I think so too. I think it was the loss of Mark Levin and Rush Limbaugh.
PAT: And Rush. Yeah.
GLENN: I think that's what happened to him. Because he was very, very differential.
PAT: I think so too.
GLENN: I only had a problem with him saying, you know, I have a lot of respect for -- I've gained a lot of respect for the Republican Party and the establishment -- you know, not the establishment. How did he say it exactly? Maybe he did say establishment. But, you know, the establishment of the Republican -- the system of the Republican Party. That's not what I would really want you to have respect for.
But he has grown in respect for that. And kind of the left-handed compliment to everybody on the dais was, you know, typical Donald Trump. But did you believe him?
PAT: I believed that he means it right now. But could that change? Absolutely.
STU: Well, it's kind of the only standard with Trump. Right?
PAT: Yeah.
STU: Do you believe he thinks it right now? Because obviously next week he could have the opposite opinion and no one is going to care.
PAT: Yes, right.
STU: I mean, he signed the pledge and then he backed off on that, and now he's back on it. I mean, who know what he'll feel next week? But I think he actually meant it in that moment, which is really the only standard you have with Donald Trump. Does he really mean it in that moment, or is he lying in that moment?
GLENN: Well, I thought he meant it in the moment.
Featured Image: Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump smiles (C) as New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (L), Jeb Bush (2ndL), Ohio Gov. John Kasich (2nd R) and U.S. Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) walk onstage afterthe CNN Republican presidential debate on December 15, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada. This is the last GOP debate of the year, with U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) gaining in the polls in Iowa and other early voting states and Donald Trump rising in national polls. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)