My dictionary defines “pledge” as a “solemn binding promise to do, give or refrain from doing something.” That same dictionary defines “position” as “a point of view or attitude on a certain question.” The difference is huge: One can change a position with minimal consequence to one’s integrity. But one violates a pledge.

Grover Norquist’s taxpayer protection pledge, which binds most Republican elected officials, is remarkably simple. The signer pledges to “oppose any and all efforts to increase the marginal income tax rates for individuals and/or businesses.” Now what if the signer agrees to a deal that makes it more likely for a cut in those marginal rates to expire. Does that violate the pledge? “Not continuing a tax cut is not technically a tax increase,” Norquist told the Washington Post editorial board, adding that “we wouldn’t hold” such an action as a violation of the pledge.

This is a big deal, since it says the grand bargain that President Obama had been pushing with House Republicans may not violate the pledge.