Repukes plan to make Gay Marriage central to next year's campaign

[DJcairo]

Gay Marriage Looms as Issue
GOP Push for Amendment Is Dilemma for Bush
By Mike Allen
Washington Post Staff Writer
Saturday, October 25, 2003; Page A01


Republican lawmakers and conservative activists are making plans to turn gay marriage into a major issue in next year's elections, with some Christian groups saying that banning same-sex unions is a higher immediate priority for them than restricting abortion.

Party strategists said the issue could be a bonanza for mobilizing conservatives to fund campaigns and turn out to vote, particularly in the South. Conservative groups said they plan to challenge candidates to sign a pledge in support of a constitutional amendment precluding gay marriage, then use the results -- along with votes Republicans hope to force in the House and Senate -- as a wedge against Democrats.

Watching the Episcopal Church roiled over whether openly gay bishops should be confirmed, politicians in both parties are beginning to see gay marriage as a potentially key issue for candidates in a 50-50 nation.

snip>

Some worried administration officials said gay marriage may turn into an issue on which President Bush's reelection interests diverge from those of his party's activists and congressional candidates. Democrats contend -- and some officials close to Bush said they fear -- that the issue could hamper efforts to portray the president as a compassionate or tolerant conservative, a crucial part of his appeal to suburban women and swing voters.

A coalition of conservative groups plans designated the week of Oct. 12 to 18 as "Marriage Protection Week," to call attention to their drive for the Federal Marriage Amendment, which says marriage in the United States "shall consist only of the union of a man and a woman."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A14193-2003Oct24.html
Good Lord! In honor of the repukes I think we should have a "Keep the GOP out of the bedroom" week

[neuvocat]

1. Sounds vaguely familliar

a failed economy, foreign policy, and a Bush in the White House and attacks on anything other than a nuclear family to scapegoat the problems of the country.

[The Zanti Regent]

20. But what will Andy Sullivan Say?

Andy loves the Hatemongers in the GOP. What will Andy do?

[BlueJazz]

2. It's about time somebody did something......

...about all these disgusting Queers.
They've run up the National Debt to historic Levels.
Ruined our reputation with other countries.
Started that damn War over in....ah...I think, Iran.
Oh yea, and they are causing jobs to be outsourced to other countries and ahh....and ..well, you know...all kinds of other problems.

[maggrwaggr]

3. the tactic of distraction

cause you know the media will pick this up big time.

This need to be ignored as much as possible. It's a non-issue and they know it will be a distraction from the real issues and a way to point at the "liberals" as "perverts"

[ant]

6. you think so?

I say bring it. I feel like the more the GOP shows its radical fundie side the better off Democrats are. I realize there are a lot of homophobes out there, and I realize even people who aren't directly anti-gay rights have issues with the idea of "gay marriage," but I think exposing this part of the Republican party is good.

My impression, and I admit it may be inaccurate, is that the social conservatives in the party are a real headache to the more fiscal conservate, libertarian types. I'm thinking of Eric Alterman's (I think it was him) argument that while the media may sometimes show a "leftist" bias on social issues, its right-wing bias comes out more on the economic/business issues. I just don't see how exposing their intolerance can be good for the right.

These aren't the days of closeted gays anymore, either. If they want a fight on this, they'll get it, and as with all civil rights struggles before, they will lose.

[bluestateguy]

4. If this causes a Matthew Shepard incident these folks will be responsible

[Don_G]

5. It Will And They Won't Be

:grr:

[FlemingsGhost]

7. Think they suspect Howard Dean will get the nomination?

It'll be real easy to point at Dean's Vermont Civil Union legislation...

[David Zephyr]

9. Bingo.

It's Dean that they are afraid of.

[onehandle]

12. Or not....

Is this why Rove supposedly said, "That's the one we want" about Dean?

[Occulus]

19. Well, let me put it this way

I've taken to assuming the precise opposite is the truth to whatever I hear or read coming from this administration. If Karl says Dean's the one they want, well... then Dean is their worst nightmare.

[jamesinca]

17. They are not looking at what Dean said and I think he will clarify it

He said marraige is for the church to do. It is a religious ceremony. Benifits for your partner is a government issue, hence civil unions. He is not talking marraige, he is talking extending benifits. As he has said all along, I am tired of being divided by race, gender and sexual orientation, I want my country back.

[HawkerHurricane]

8. Wow!

"A coalition of conservative groups plans designated the week of Oct. 12 to 18 as "Marriage Protection Week," to call attention to their drive for the Federal Marriage Amendment, which says marriage in the United States "shall consist only of the union of a man and a woman.""

An amendment like that would have prevented my parents divorce!
And my Mom's second divorce!
And my In-laws seperation!
And anyone who cannot tell I'm being sarcastic needs a sarcasm detector from RonCo. Contact HawkerHurricane for details...

[roguevalley]

10. Krikey. I can remember when it was illegal to get divorced in America.

what an old time that was. No divorces, the Lord's Prayer
after the Pledge. Sigh. It will only hurt them. People are
getting laisze fair about gay issues, for the most part.

[Hieronymus]

11. Thank God

for George Bush and the defense of marriage act. It came too late to save my marriage. You see a lesbian couple moved into our building, need I say more? Our marriage began to deteriorate almost immediately, although, of course we never spoke to them.
:scared:

Is anyone really surprised that the cons will use this ruse?

[ninkasi]

13. Oh, well, what an important issue...

for the right-wing's shriveled, bitter, twisted souls. How very IMPORTANT, when the world is being pulverized by hate, and people are dying, and being brutalized, and go hungry. How wonderful that they want to stamp out the ability of loving couples to choose to formalize their vows to each other, and lead loving, productive lives.

How unconservative to celebrate life, and love, and peace, and harmony, and all those other things that don't lead to misery and bloodshed and greed and hate. Right-wing bastards.

[truthisfreedom]

14. this is good. by opposing the idea of protecting unions, they are demon-

strating their disinterest in family stability. the foundation of the republican way is all just a series of hipocrisies culminating in a great, useless, destructive force. the more people they alienate by truthfully exposing their positions, the better. this position is all about LOSING VOTES, certainly not about gaining any... they already have all of the gay-haters on their side. in fact, they have all the haters on their side, except those of us who reject hatred of others for their lifestyle or color or religion or sexual orientation.

[kodi]

15. if repugs are stupid enough to try it, dems respond with social security

however, it should be of concern to the dems in localities where the religious right has strong organizing strength and get out the vote volunteerism.

in such areas, usually southern or rural, the dems will have to figure out how to make inroads to also increase volunteer activity and strong reasons for those who rely on the democratic party to represent their philosophies in government come out and vote.

[caledesi]

16. Let them. I don't give a shit!

There are a lot of gay VOTING people out there, so screw them. The "coathanger coalition" ain't gonna get much momentum from this, because most people have a relative who is gay. 'nuff said.

[RowWellandLive]

18. I don't get it

Both the R's and the D's supported the "Defense of Marriage Act." There is virtually no wiggle room in the two parties in their opposition to gay marriage.

All the homophobics will vote R no matter what. The D's are afraid to lose the votes of the moderate/independants that remain bothered by the thought of gay marriage at the same time they consider themselves tolerant. In an effort not to offend the mainstream D's will continue to oppose homosexual marriage at the same time they attempt to portray a more "accepting" view of gays.

In essence, both parties will hold the same stand on this issue. Thus the right will try, but fail, to make hay with it.

Status quo reigns.

[VolcanoJen]

21. Locking... LBN Rules

The rules of the Latest Breaking News Forum require that the poster use the exact title of the linked-to article as their subject line. In this case, the subject line should read "Gay Marriage Looms as Issue."

Although there are already many replies to this post, and understanding that it is an important issue, we should still comply with LBN Rules, to help the forum remain a "lean, mean headline news machine," and limit our opposition-bashing to the body of the message, at least in the LBN Forum. :-)

Please feel free to re-post this article using the correct subject line.

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VolcanoJen
DU Moderator