Which pledge? Is Norquist's influence waning?

Grover Norquist, President of Americans for Tax Reform, may have less influence on Republicans in office and seeking election. Rosalind S. Helderman reports some new information in the Washington Post, GOP showing small shifts on taxes. She writes of the Republican freshman mentioned in my post, Which Pledge? A Small Break in a United Front, She adds that candidates supported by the national party are also breaking ranks.

Of the 25 candidates this year promoted by the National Republican Congressional Committee as “Young Guns” and“Contenders” — the top rungs of a program that highlights promising candidates who are challenging Democrats or running in open seats — at least a third have indicated they do not plan to sign the pledge authored by anti-tax crusader Grover Norquist.

Two of the seven candidates promoted by the NRCC as the“Young Gun Vanguard” —candidates competing in open seats that are considered Republican-leaning — also have declined to sign.

None of these candidates are likely to vote for a tax increase, but they also don't want to be bound by "The Pledge" if they are offered a budget deal such as last year's for $1 in increased taxes per $10 in spending cuts.