Dreams Into Lightning

California Republicans Against Proposition 8

Republicans Against 8:

Republicans Against 8 is a Campaign Committee of concerned California Republicans who believe in limited government, personal responsibility, the maintenance of Constitutionally-protected rights and freedoms, and in protecting California’s business climate. Republicans Against 8 was founded by the Log Cabin Republicans, the nation’s largest coalition of gay and lesbian Republicans, and their allies. The Log Cabin Republicans were founded in 1978, when they joined with Gov. Ronald Reagan to fight Proposition 6, the “Briggs Amendment,” which would have banned gay and lesbian Californians from teaching in public schools. Today, Republicans Against 8 stands with another California Governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger, to fight for fundamental freedoms—the principle that all Californians’ right to marry should be treated fairly and equally under the law. Please join Republicans Against 8 and vow to vote NO on Proposition 8 on November 4!

Did you know that Ward Connerly opposes Measure 8?

Gay Republicans also hope to recruit prominent GOP figures to speak out against the amendment. Ward Connerly, a former member of the University of California board of regents and one of the country’s foremost opponents of affirmative action, is one such conservative icon. Connerly, who is black and grew up in the Deep South, told me that efforts to amend his state’s constitution to ban gay marriage remind him of antimiscegenation laws. “For anyone to say that this is an issue for people who are gay and that this isn’t about civil rights is sadly mistaken,” he says. “If you really believe in freedom and limited government, to be intellectually consistent and honest you have to oppose efforts of the majority to impose their will on people.” Connerly is not a new friend to gay rights advocates; when he served on the board of regents, he championed domestic-partner benefits for gay faculty members.

Republicans Against 8 is endorsed by Log Cabin Republicans.

John Bolton to Speak at Log Cabin Convention

Log Cabin Republicans, via e-mail release:

Log Cabin is pleased to announce that former UN Ambassador John Bolton will be speaking at the 2008 Log Cabin Republicans National Convention in San Diego. Ambassador Bolton is a leading voice in American foreign policy. He's not afraid to stand up for his beliefs and speak candidly about our role in the world today. We encourage all Log Cabin members to register now for San Diego so you can hear first hand Ambassador Bolton's insightful views on American foreign policy. If you hurry, you can still save $70 by registering for the convention today!

Don’t miss the opportunity to hear Ambassador Bolton talk about the challenges our country faces abroad from regimes that proliferate weapons of mass destruction, suppress democracy and pose threats to the United States and its allies.

The convention is April 10-13, 2008 in San Diego, CA.

Log Cabin: Senator Larry Craig Should Resign

*** UPDATE: He will. ***

Log Cabin Republicans, via e-mail release:

Log Cabin has been providing a strong voice in the midst of the scandal involving Senator Larry Craig (R-ID). His behavior has been inappropriate and illegal. His explanation is not credible. He should take responsibility for his poor judgment and illegal behavior by resigning.

Senator Craig has a terrible record on gay rights issues, so obviously hypocrisy is part of this story. However, even if he had a good record on gay issues his behavior would still be illegal and inappropriate.

See also:

Log Cabin's Patrick Sammon on CNN.

UPDATE via Insty: Senator Larry Craig will resign tomorrow, Saturday, September 1, 2007.

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Idaho Republican Sen. Larry Craig will announce Saturday he will resign from the Senate amid a furor over his arrest and guilty plea in a police sex sting in an airport men's room, Republican officials said Friday.

Democrat Senator Blocks Pro-Gay Legislation

Log Cabin Republicans press release:

Log Cabin calls on Senate Democrat leaders to allow a vote on a pro-gay amendment to the Fair Minimum Wage Act. GOP Senator Gordon Smith's amendment would ease the tax burden for domestic partner benefits. The Domestic Partner Health Benefits Equity Act would correct an unfair provision in the tax code that blocks self-employed people from deducting their domestic partner's health insurance premium costs.

"I am for cutting taxes and this amendment does just that," said Senator Smith (R-OR). "Nontraditional families are part of the fabric of our society and deserve fair treatment. The tax code weighs heavily on small business owners as it is, we shouldn't increase the burden by leaving this inequity on the books."

Senator Smith was prevented from offering his amendment during a recent Finance Committee hearing because Democrat Chairman Max Baucus (D-MT) threatened to rule it out of order. Now Smith has introduced his amendment to the entire Senate, but Baucus is still threatening to use arcane Senate rules to stop the amendment.

"Democrat leaders should allow a vote on this important amendment. LGBT Democrats gave a lot of money and support to their Party last November," said Log Cabin President Patrick Sammon. "Now Senate Democrats better not block the first piece of pro-gay legislation in the 110th Congress. Majority Leader Harry Reid should stop Senator Baucus from obstructing this amendment and allow a vote by the full Senate."

Current law allows small business owners, independent contractors, and consultants to deduct the total cost of their health insurance premiums. They also can deduct the premiums for their spouse and children, but not domestic partners. Smith's bill would correct that inequity. "This common sense legislation will provide basic fairness for hard working gay and lesbian families," said Sammon. "We applaud Senator Smith for leading the fight to provide tax fairness for all Americans."

UPDATE:

Gay Patriot has a few things to say. 'What universe did we just get transported to? The one where a Republican Senator offers common sense, pro-gay legislation and where the Democrats stand in the way? The same universe that has seen gay people offer time and treasure to the Democrat Party for decades yet has gotten nothing in return except a Democrat President who signed off on two of the most anti-gay policies in our lifetime? Oh yeah…. we’ve been living in that universe already… silly me.' Read the rest at the link.

Log Cabin: New Leader, New Direction

Patrick Sammon, the new President of Log Cabin Republicans, sets forth some goals for the organization in this news release:

Starting a new presidential campaign cycle opens up new opportunities to make our Party more inclusive. To take advantage of this opportunity, we are moving forward with an ambitious agenda:

Strengthening our grassroots chapters to help them grow even stronger.

Making technology upgrades to our web-site to, among other things, connect members with elected representatives at the state and local levels.

Training our members how to speak at forums, talk to the media, lobby their officials, and get out the key points that change hearts and minds.

Building stronger ties with other GOP groups to advance a unifying conservative agenda that brings together our Party and our nation around a hopeful and optimistic vision.

Lobbying Republican members of Congress on pro-gay legislation that will be considered next year including hate crimes protections, the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, and repeal of the Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy.

Helping more Log Cabin members win elections and secure appointments to public office.

LCR: Why the Republicans Lost

Log Cabin Republicans news release:

“Republicans lost this election because independent voters abandoned the GOP,” said Log Cabin Executive Vice President Patrick Sammon. “Social conservatives drove the GOP’s agenda the last several years. Their divisive agenda alienated the mainstream Republicans and independents who determined this election’s outcome. Social conservatives should take responsibility for this loss.”

“Democrats didn’t win because of anything they stood for. They won because of Republican mistakes,” said Sammon. “GOP leaders lost sight of what brought our Party to power in 1994. Limited government, lower spending, high ethical standards and accountability, and other unifying GOP principles attracted a broad coalition of support including fiscal conservatives, social conservatives, mainstream Republicans, libertarians, and independents. Now we’ve lost the U.S. House because Party leaders turned their backs on the GOP’s core principles and catered only to social conservatives.” ...

A failure to articulate a clear policy on the Iraq war was also a major factor in this defeat. And the ethical problems of some Congressmen caused voters to turn on the GOP. “These results show us that character counts. Our Party must nominate candidates who have the integrity worthy of their office,” said Sammon.

Full text at the link. Sammon also congratulates Log Cabin allies Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R-CA), Gov. Jodi Rell (R-CT), Gov. Linda Lingle (R-HI), and Congresswoman Deborah Pryce (R-OH) on their victories.