America’s next top bigot: Why GOP’s upcoming primary is an anti-gay freak show - By Joan Walsh

[DonViejo]

When it comes to LGBT rights, the 2016 GOP roster may be more ridiculous than the clown car of 2012

JOAN WALSH



Thanks to Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, we’re getting an early look at a field of GOP presidential hopefuls that is supposed to include some moderates who plan on expanding the party’s appeal beyond its right-wing base. And it’s pathetic. Before Pence’s odd press conference, where he promised to “fix” the bill but insisted there was nothing wrong with it, the top GOP contenders hustled to outdo one another in backing Pence and his divisive legislation.

Let’s remember that in 2014, Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich were among the Republicans who urged Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer to veto AB 1062, Arizona’s version of Indiana’s “religious freedom” law – admittedly after they’d run for president in 2012. The 2016 candidates are showing no such courage – quite the opposite, in fact.

They are showing they all agree with Sen. Ted Cruz on one thing: the key to winning in 2016 isn’t outreach to so-called minorities, women and middle America, but to discouraged evangelical Christians (not to mention white voters) who sat out 2012.

Supposedly moderate and gay friendly Jeb Bush went all in defending Pence with radio host Hugh Hewitt Monday night. At first Bush took the route of condescension: the bill’s critics are too dumb to understand it.

more
http://www.salon.com/2015/03/31/americas_next_top_bigot_why_gops_upcoming_primary_is_an_anti_gay_freak_show/

[CincyDem]

1. Pence's approach to this is right out of Repub 101

His apology is the classic right wing approach.

Instead of apologizing for a bill that is blatantly discriminatory, he's apologizing for our misunderstanding of it...so he's going to do something to help us understand better. In other words, I'm not sorry I'm a bigot - I'm sorry I got caught being a bigot.

[Rex]

2. Wow look at that sea of diversity! And I still get asked why Dems think the GOP are racist.

DUH...gee I dunno.

[Fred Sanders]

3. Iowa and NH GOP religious extremist and Fox addled primary voters are the freak show that the freak show clowns are pandering to!

And because the freaky media amplifies the freaky talk of the freak show folk freaks it is ruining any real debate on real world freaky stuff, like climate change, banning nuclear arms and peace in our time.

[global1]

4. What A Great New Reality Show.....

America's Next Top Bigot.

Just a question - who could we get a judges?

[Scurrilous]

5. Comedy writers everywhere salivate uncontrollably.

[RKP5637]

6. Lot's of good material will be coming up with that crew of butt-heads. n/t

[Initech]

9. Can't wait for this. Pass the butter.

[Initech]

7. They can't win on this issue alone.

This isn't the 2000 election. Times are changing. Gay marriage has enough support for a constitutional amendment. People are leaving evangelical churches in droves. If they make this their primary issue in 2016, they will lose big time.

[misterhighwasted]

8. This is about a claiming a huge Fundy voter base for 2016.

And a clear vision of what will become of America should they gain the Presidency.

However, I sincerely hope that this wakes up a bunch of non voters to the serious stakes at play in 2016.

[Wellstone ruled]

10. All Propaganda all the time.

Keep the populace in constant fear and loathing of one another. It worked in the 2014 cycle and has in the past worked to their advantage.

[kwassa]

11. America's Next Top Bigot! A great name for a Fox game show.

what a concept.

[napkinz]

12. kick

[workinclasszero]

13. They are so full of HATE

They can't help themselves, these reich wingers MUST HATE, its drilled into them 24/7/365 by their heretic dominionist preacher on Sunday, fox "news" and the sick bastards on hate radio the rest of the week!