In Ohio, Sherrod Brown and Paul Hackett are going to have a race for the Democratic nomination. Hackett is the former marine. He's also the one in favor of gay marriage. Sherrod Brown doesn't mention it at all on his website. Hackett writes: "Never once in my 43 years of life have I heard of anyone getting a divorce because their neighbors are gay. " http://www.hackettforohio.com/about_issues/81/lgbt-issues
I suspect in many states there will be this sub rosa battle about gay rights in the Democratic primary, with words like moderate and liberal tossed around as code for silent (moderate) or in favor of gay marriage (liberal).
Interestingly, the incumbent Republican, Mike DeWine, who is very pro-choice anti-abortion rights, also does not mention gay rights one way or the other on his site. Seems like Republicans may also be worried about how that issue cuts with independent voters. Curiously, I have seen no recent polls on the subject.
Which way will this play in 2006? Will voters, particularly swing voters, really care?
Friday, February 10, 2006
Gay Marriage in 2006
Posted by The Law Talking Guy at 3:08 PM
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9 comments:
LTG, I think you have a typo. Mike DeWine is 100% anti-choice .
I think Hacket's statement sums up the issue nicely.
// posted by Raised By Republicans
By the way I've seen recent political science research on exactly this question. There is evidence that Republicans can use such referenda and gay bashing referenda in particular to boost the turnout among their own base and to split off segments of African American voters from the Democrats.
Indpendent voters aren't the target here. These are the classic "wedge issues." They divide the Democrats at the margins while increasing Republican turnout at the margins. In swing states like Ohio it can make a difference.
// posted by Raised By Republicans
?
I can't find on DeWine's site where he talks about the issue at all. Can you point to a more specific link?
// posted by Bell Curve
Bell Curve: I believe LTG's point was that DeWine did not address gay marriage at all. Unless you are referring to DeWine... in which case, I have no idea :-)
His website won't permit a direct link (that's interesting). Go to his "issues information" section and click on "right to life." Here are some selected quotations:
"Mike DeWine is one of the United States Senate’s strongest advocates in supporting efforts to protect the lives of unborn children. He is fighting tirelessly to ensure that those who cannot speak have a voice."
"Since 1998, Mike DeWine has repeatedly offered an amendment to ensure that federal taxpayers’ dollars are not used to pay for abortions for federal employees, except when necessary to save the life of the mother or when a pregnancy results from rape or incest."
" Senator DeWine opposes embryonic stem cell research, as well as the purposeful destruction of embryonic stem cells in the name of “science.” Senator DeWine will oppose any bill that would expand existing policy by allowing the government to pay for studies on embryos in frozen storage at fertility clinics, even if the couples who conceive them certify that they would otherwise discard them. Senator DeWine strongly opposes the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2005, which passed the House by a vote of 238-194" (notice how he puts "science" in quotes!)
"Mike DeWine is an original co-sponsor of the Unborn Child Pain Awareness Act. This bill would require abortion providers to notify the pregnant woman that the procedure will cause pain to the unborn child and offer to administer pain-reducing drugs directly to
the child."
And the grand finaly: "It is an honor and a privilege to serve as Ohio's Senator and to vote consistently with my heart to preserve the sanctity of human life and maintain a 100% pro-life voting record. I thank all Ohioans who join me in fighting for our common belief in human dignity and the
right to life." - Mike DeWine himself.
// posted by Raised By Republicans
Oh yes, I meant DeWine calls himself "pro-life" but I hate writing that, so I flubbed with the word "anti-choice."
// posted by LTG
Ah, got it. Thanks for the clarification.
// posted by Bell Curve
I actually found a Gay Rights reference for both DeWine and Voinavich. They may be bible thumping Republicans but they opposed (weakly) the Gay Marriage Ban referendum. Here it the story from the Toledo Blade .
Their objection was based entirely on bad wording. That's as close to supporting civil liberty as we're going to get from Republicans these days - "Gee, I'd like to support this tyrranical law but it's just too vague."
I donated money Hacket's campaign (and my local Demcoratic candidate). I urge you all to do the same.
// posted by Raised By Republicans
RxR, I took your advice and contributed to Hackett's campaign. And I rarely contribute to any politician. I found his statement on the rights of gays and lesbians to be refreshingly simple:
"Every American deserves to be treated with simple human dignity. Gays and Lesbians are no different. They should be entitled to ALL of the same rights and responsibilities we take for granted... workplace non-discrimination, hate crimes protection, the right to serve in the armed forces and the right to validate their love in the way they see fit."
I hope he wins.
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