Subscribe to Breaking NewsLowenstein: Log Cabin Republicans impact NY vote
Between my post on Monday about the new pro-gay faces of the Republican Party and what I’m about to write, I probably sound like a closeted Republican. Nothing could be farther from the truth. I’m a proud progressive Democrat, and have long believed the Log Cabin Republicans to be useless at best and a detriment to the movement for equality at worst.
But at the same time, I have to respect that they’ve had some successes lately. First, that they’ve been able to recruit high profile moderate Republicans to their cause is important.
Second, according to The Advocate, the Log Cabin Republicans negotiated a deal with the state party in New York that could help clear the way for marriage equality in that state.
In 2007, when the New York legislature voted on marriage equality, the state GOP pressured lawmakers to vote the party line– against marriage equality.
This time, Republican lawmakers will be encouraged to vote their conscience on the issue, which could make all the difference, particularly in the state Senate, where the vote is expected to be very close. Democrats have a slim margin in the Senate– which is split 32-30– and four Democrats have already indicated that they will be voting against marriage equality. At least a few Republican Senators will need to vote for Governor Paterson’s bill in order for it to have a chance to pass.
Thanks to the Log Cabin Republicans, there might be a chance of that happening this time around. And I can hardly believe I just wrote that.
(h/t Joe My God)
And so the civil war in the Republicans is out in the open? NO WAY? Maybe they will return to their roots?
Wow, Shawn, once again your eloquence is exceeded only by your insight. If all you have to offer is a 3rd-grade-level derisive comment, you would be better to follow you own advice: STFU.
Perhaps one day you will surprise us and offer evidence that you can: 1) formulate a thought; and 2) formulate a sentence.
Well said, Victor.
Jenna, I don’t know where you get your information from. Most people in the log cabin have been soley committed to Marriage Equality and have been making conservative arguments for our civil rights for quite a while.
This type of divisive writing, that treats conservative and Republican advocates of gay equality as if they’re our enemies is not in the spirit of the gay rights movement.
What are the four names of the Democrats that are voting against Marriage Equality, their districts.
Lets start putting our reelection money where our equality is. It’s time to unseat these four discriminators of equality, and we should start letting them know immediately of our intentions.
“Republican lawmakers will be encouraged to vote their conscience on the issue”
Republican lawmakers have a conscience!!!???
Who knew?
In my view, anyone (gay or straight) who has blind loyalty to either political party is a fool. Those of us who sat idly while Bill Clinton signed into law “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” and the Defense of Marriage Act know of what I speak.
STFU and pay yer taxes victor! Ain’t nuttin’ dat more special ’bout you loony rightwingers! LOL!
I hope that this incident changes your view of the Log Cabin Republicans. I am also a proud progressive Democrat, but I have consistently thought that the greatest detriment to our movement is that the religious right currently owns the term “conservative”. Conservatism is supposed to be about government staying out of our lives, and allowing people to live the way they want to. It’s supposed to be about fiscal responsibility, and focusing on free markets, private financing of all but that which must be publicly funded. None of that has anything to do with the price of tea in china or our rights.
I firmly believe there are many republicans out there, many of them in office, who believe in all of the above, including our rights. Until recently they have been forced into towing the party line. I think at this tipping point they are our greatest potential allies, and we need to reach out to them. The Log Cabin Republicans are our best hope of doing that.
I look forward to the day where I can sit down for a drink at a gay get together and have a good heated argument about government spending, or foreign policy because all the gays and lesbians aren’t being forced to go into the political closet anymore.
It is true that we do need Republican votes if this is to work, but lets not go congratulating the GOP just yet. Remember that the real heroes here are still the 28 other Democrats who should be voting our way. We can’t go putting a handful of Republicans up on a pedastal, hailing them as our progressive heroes.
Which “high profile moderate Republicans” have been “recruited” to our side? Has anyone of them said how their “conscience” says they should vote on this issue? I thought not.
“There’s an old saying in Tennessee — I know it’s in Texas, probably in Tennessee — that says, fool me once, shame on — shame on you. Fool me — you can’t get fooled again.”
George W. Bush
Oh Puhleeeeeeze! This changes absolutely NOTHING!! Their still the sell out, “jews for hitler” as far as I’m concerned!! LOL! Bottom line means it all to these traitorous basta*ds!! Don’t be duped folks!! This is nothing but a cheap propaganda ploy to gain brownie points for their sickening little GOP christofascist loony club! Take a LOOOONG walk off a short pier!!! Peace out.
Well, David, it’s nice that at least sometimes, even Republicans can break free of their ideaological blinders and make a rational judgment (as this article clearly implies). And no, there are NOT many examples of to “prove” that Log Cabins are not “useless” – this just happens to be one of the exceedingly rare, POTENTIALLY positive things they might contribute. However, when you consider the fact that they have been FAR MORE a hindrance than a help in the past, it would take decades of gestures to balance the scales and I won’t be holding my breath for that to happen either. It will be interesting to see how many of these Republicans will actually vote for gay marriage, even when it is suggested they should feel unencumbered by their party to do as they see fit.
Well, Jenna, it’s nice that at least sometimes, even Democrats can break free of their ideological blinders and make a rational judgement. There are many examples of course that prove Log Cabin is not “useless,” but the strident hate and intolerance by some on the gay left has clouded the discussion. It’s good to see there are some open minds.
Before the GOP insisted that all members operate in lockstep, it was routine to see New York Republicans–especially Downstate, and specifically Long Island–who were not social reactionaries. New York has had two Republican mayors–LaGuardia and Lindsay who were hardly part of the current GOP ideology. Even Giuliani was far less of a strident hater (though his obsession with ridding NYC of porn and strip clubs should’ve been a sign–and note the man can’t stay faithful to a woman).
So if some NYS Republicans do cross the aisle, it’ll be them and Gov. Patterson we have to thank, and NOT the NYS Democratic Party. The Dems might want to start looking at the fact that they’re historically incapable of doing as much with a majority as the GOP does. If the Dems REALLY supported gays as much as they do the general concept of civil rights, no question it would be a party-line vote. Instead, the state party seems beholden to that clown Diaz in the Bronx.