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Big test for GOP: will party leaders do the right thing on gay marriage? Big test for GOP: will party leaders do the right thing on gay marriage?
(6 months later)
The Republican National Committee power players converged this week at a swanky California hotel to chart a roadmap back to political relevancy, a blueprint to finally transcend the various tactical failings that contributed to their second consecutive presidential defeat only months earlier. It's a heady responsibility, yet a simple one: if the GOP really wants to be relevant once more, it needs to get in line with America on social stances.The Republican National Committee power players converged this week at a swanky California hotel to chart a roadmap back to political relevancy, a blueprint to finally transcend the various tactical failings that contributed to their second consecutive presidential defeat only months earlier. It's a heady responsibility, yet a simple one: if the GOP really wants to be relevant once more, it needs to get in line with America on social stances.
Unfortunately, a vocal faction within the Republican party believes it is their responsibility to define narrowly the party's political agenda, at least where it concerns the freedom to marry for gay men and women. Today committee members are slated to consider a controversial resolution maligning the child-rearing potential of same-sex couples, citing heavily from the findings of a junk-science study.Unfortunately, a vocal faction within the Republican party believes it is their responsibility to define narrowly the party's political agenda, at least where it concerns the freedom to marry for gay men and women. Today committee members are slated to consider a controversial resolution maligning the child-rearing potential of same-sex couples, citing heavily from the findings of a junk-science study.
The notion that this syndicate of 168 GOP party elders, a group for whom I once labored, should rigidly determine the party's policy agenda is a profoundly malignant affliction. On the question of same-sex marriage, it's also a losing proposition.The notion that this syndicate of 168 GOP party elders, a group for whom I once labored, should rigidly determine the party's policy agenda is a profoundly malignant affliction. On the question of same-sex marriage, it's also a losing proposition.
Like so many veterans of the GOP committee, I watched as the RNC slid into debt and decay under former chairman Michael Steele and cheered as Reince Preibus, its current chief, began the challenge of rebuilding the party's national infrastructure. Last month, Preibus and a handful of top lieutenants carefully telegraphed the findings of a new report wherein the party's legion political liabilities were diagnosed.Like so many veterans of the GOP committee, I watched as the RNC slid into debt and decay under former chairman Michael Steele and cheered as Reince Preibus, its current chief, began the challenge of rebuilding the party's national infrastructure. Last month, Preibus and a handful of top lieutenants carefully telegraphed the findings of a new report wherein the party's legion political liabilities were diagnosed.
"We need to campaign among Hispanic, black, Asian and gay Americans and demonstrate that we care about them, too," the election autopsy report, drafted by the most respected committee members and operatives, read. It went on to say:"We need to campaign among Hispanic, black, Asian and gay Americans and demonstrate that we care about them, too," the election autopsy report, drafted by the most respected committee members and operatives, read. It went on to say:
"Already, there is a generational difference within the conservative movement about issues involving the treatment and the rights of gays – and for many younger voters, these issues are a gateway into whether the party is a place they want to be.""Already, there is a generational difference within the conservative movement about issues involving the treatment and the rights of gays – and for many younger voters, these issues are a gateway into whether the party is a place they want to be."
Not only is this dubious parenting proposal, wherein the GOP would formally affirm an alleged moral deficiency of gay Americans, necessarily at odds with the recommendations of the Preibus report, but it pits party leadership at odds with a majority of Americans.Not only is this dubious parenting proposal, wherein the GOP would formally affirm an alleged moral deficiency of gay Americans, necessarily at odds with the recommendations of the Preibus report, but it pits party leadership at odds with a majority of Americans.
The majority of Americans, 58%, support the right of gays and lesbians to wed in a recent opinion survey jointly conducted by ABC News and the Washington Post. Not only was it highest generic margin of support ever recorded, but it was a 26-point improvement from just nine years ago.The majority of Americans, 58%, support the right of gays and lesbians to wed in a recent opinion survey jointly conducted by ABC News and the Washington Post. Not only was it highest generic margin of support ever recorded, but it was a 26-point improvement from just nine years ago.
Without fail, every recent public opinion survey has found rapidly accelerated levels of support among all demographics, but none more so than the Millennial vote, which is to say, seven out of ten from this bunch, born between the years 1981 and 2000, support extending the freedom to marry to gays and lesbians. Even a majority of evangelical Millennials, clocked most recently at 64%, support same-sex marriage. The same is true of Republicans under the age of 50.Without fail, every recent public opinion survey has found rapidly accelerated levels of support among all demographics, but none more so than the Millennial vote, which is to say, seven out of ten from this bunch, born between the years 1981 and 2000, support extending the freedom to marry to gays and lesbians. Even a majority of evangelical Millennials, clocked most recently at 64%, support same-sex marriage. The same is true of Republicans under the age of 50.
Fundamental to conservatism is its faith in the wisdom of the marketplace of ideas. The time has come to recognize the marketplace has done its job: America has resolved to support the freedom to marry. The RNC must catch up.Fundamental to conservatism is its faith in the wisdom of the marketplace of ideas. The time has come to recognize the marketplace has done its job: America has resolved to support the freedom to marry. The RNC must catch up.
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