GOP Platform On Gays/Abortion/Stem Cell Research Will Split The Party

[DrFunkenstein]

GOP Platform Plan Seeks Gay Marriage Ban

NEW YORK - Republicans call for a constitutional ban on gay marriage in a proposed election platform headed for a feisty debate in the days before their national convention.

If the plank is approved as expected, it would mark the first time the GOP has gone on record in its statement of principles as supporting an amendment against gay marriage. The issue opens a new point of contention between the party's social conservatives and moderates in platform hearings, who typically tangle over abortion rights each presidential election season.

Most attention will be paid to the uncompromising language against abortion and gay marriage, as well as to a plank supporting Bush's restrictions on federal financing of stem cell research. Vocal factions are clamoring to make the party more open to those rights and to loosen the stem cell policy.

The platform, while not binding on Bush or any candidate, is a delicate dance for the party as it tries to stage a unified convention and satisfy conservative activists without alienating swing voters or more liberal Republicans.

The party is putting forward moderate figures in most of its prominent convention speaking slots next week. But behind those faces is a struggle over party principles that Republicans who favor abortion rights and gay rights are hard-pressed to win.

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20040825/ap_on_el_pr/convention_platform&cid=694&ncid=2043

And that's before we talk about fiscal conservatives, civil libertarians, and people who think Iraq is a fiasco.

[LoZoccolo]

1. I think the moderates will cave as they seem to always do.

If there were any question of people defecting over this, then this year's polling would probably not be as evenly divided as it is.

[Kipepeo]

2. I think the GOP is more willing

to have a floor fight at their convention, no matter the perception of division, than to accept the proposed "Unity" platform from Republicans for Choice, Gay republicans and Republican Youth.

But more importantly, why are any youth, gays, or people for choice still supporting them anyway?!? It's not like they can claim it's because they like "fiscal responsibility!"