GOP Grapples Over 'Big Tent'

[Rose Siding]

WASHINGTON — President Bush and his political lieutenants want the Republican National Convention in New York this month to exude the same sense of unity that characterized the Democratic love fest in Boston.

But away from the spotlight, infighting appears about to break out over the GOP platform's stance on gay rights. The issue is important to the White House because the appearance of intolerance could sway critical swing voters.
...
The Log Cabin Republicans plan to hold a news conference Monday with Republicans for Choice and the Republican Youth Majority to outline their strategy.

Pitching a "party unity plank," they are suggesting that the platform declare that "Republicans of good faith disagree" on family issues — language sure to be an anathema to the president and his base of social conservative supporters.
...
In one recent example of the White House commitment to ideological unanimity on abortion, campaign workers evicted a woman and her family from a Bush rally because she was carrying a rolled-up T-shirt with an abortion-rights slogan.

http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/2004/la-na-gopfight15aug15,1,7972565.story?coll=la-home-headlines

[Leilani]

1. Floor Fight!!!

I want to see a floor fight on the platform.

I want to see Mississippi & Alabama Republicans fighting with New York & Vermont Republicans.

That would be quite a show.

[Born Free]

4. never happen

foolish log cabin republicans will roll over,the only groups that will control the GOP is the radical right wing evangelicas

[DeepModem Mom]

2. IT'S TIME TO COME OUT OF THE CABIN! -- wrote DU-poster...

AndyTiedye yesterday re. the Log Cabin Republicans.

[chuck555]

3. The tent is big and empty.

When the minimum ticket is $4,500 who would be surprised? And the "loyalty" oaths. I am glad the LAT has this story.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

5. The RNC Platform Decided Already. Convention is for show. Here it is:

The RNC Platform has been decided and approved already. Here it is:

http://www.gop.com/About/PartyPlatform/Default.aspx

[Geo55]

11. SUUURE...

"We are the party of the open door, determined to strengthen the social, cultural, and political ties that bind us together and make our country the greatest force for good in the world. Steadfast in our commitment to our ideals, we recognize that members of our party can have deeply held and sometimes differing views. This diversity is a source of strength, not a sign of weakness, and so we welcome into our ranks all who may hold differing positions.

We commit to resolve our differences with civility, trust, and mutual respect."

Pretty words...pretty , pretty...EMPTY WORDS.

[Piperay]

6. In the end I'm sure they

will all take their marching orders, drink their kool-aid and have a repuke love-in convention. :puke:

[Rose Siding]

8. I'm looking forward to the press conference

They could get some heavy shame laid on them. Depending how widely the media covers it, ("The repubs today, in uncharacteristic disunity...) the dissent could become the story. I'm sure that's what the LCRs and choice proponents are hoping. -Could become a recurring theme during the convention.

[Skittles]

7. a big tent of big assholes

nt

[janx]

9. Shouldn't the Log Cabin Republicans have held this news

conference, say, 12 years ago?

[truthisfreedom]

10. "carrying a rolled-up T-shirt" and evicted ON OUR DIME? USING OUR TAX

HARD-EARNED DOLLARS?

class-action lawsuit, i say.