Box Turtle Bulletin
News and commentary about the anti-gay lobby“Now you must raise your children up in a world where that union of man and box turtle is on the same legal footing as man and wife…”
News and commentary about the anti-gay lobbyOctober 27th, 2009
Much attention is being paid to the 23rd Congressional Seat in Upstate New York. This Republican district, previously held by current Secretary of the Army John McHugh, may well elect a Democrat; and it may well be entirely due to the extremism of far right conservatives.
Although a rural New York district, the 23rd borders Vermont and Canada and is less invested in ultra-conservative social policy agenda items than, say, a rural Alabama district. Consequently, the local Republican Party leadership selected Dede Scozzafava, a moderate candidate, to represent the party in the mid-term election.
This did not sit well with the social conservative wing of the party. And wingnuts ranging from Rush Limbaugh to Sarah Palin have endorsed Doug Hoffman, the candidate running with the backing of the Conservative Party. They would rather split the Republican vote and destroy Scozzafava’s campaign – in order to “send a message” – than allow a Republican to be elected who dares stray from their tight agenda.
And Scozzafava’s sins? I’m sure you guessed them. Dede is pro-gay and pro-choice. In fact, she has voted twice in the New York House to legalize same-sex marriage. GASP!!
Well. They. Can’t. Have. That!! Can you imagine it? A Congressional Republican who supports marriage equality?
So extremists from around the nation (but not so much the district) are financing and pushing for Doug Hoffman as hard as they can. Not because he can win, but because they hate the idea of Scozzafaza winning.
Folk like Rush Limbaugh, Sarah Palin, Glenn Beck, and Dick Armey aren’t interested in a big tent of diverse people sharing some general sense of fiscal policy and the role of government. They’d rather have the Republican Party be a pup-tent of the “ideologically pure”, having no role in government other than that of the whining outsider. But, then again, that is what puts money in Rush’s pocket.
UPDATE:
As commenter Matt notes below, Scozzafaza is the only supportive candidate in the race. The Democrat, Bill Owens, is a committed enemy of equality which certainly plays a part in Limbaugh’s efforts to sabotage Dede.
If you’ve ever said to yourself, “I’d never support a Republican”, here’s your chance to make an exception. You can contribute to Dede’s campaign here.
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CPT_Doom
October 27th, 2009
You can cruise on over to Good as You blog to see the hateful anti-gay crap the National Organization for Marriage is sending out in favor of their looney candidate. http://www.goodasyou.org/good_as_you/2009/10/yes-on-1s-biggest-donor-an-examination-vol-14.html#more
Burr
October 27th, 2009
It’s not clear here, but is the Democrat who might win an equality supporter? After all NY already has one major Dem standing in the way of democracy.
Priya Lynn
October 27th, 2009
CPT)Doom, the are not the National Organization For Marriage, they are the National Organization “For” Marriage. They claim to be for marriage, but they actually seek to prevent loving couples from marrying.
Matt
October 27th, 2009
Burr,
The Democrat (who has had a Obama fundraising event) is staunchly anti-equality:
http://www.davidmixner.com/2009/10/not-one-penny-more-new-yorks-23rd-district.html
Who is the “Dem standing in the way of democracy” you refer to?
Burr
October 27th, 2009
Diaz.. the guy that conspires against even putting the issue to a vote.
Timothy (TRiG)
October 28th, 2009
You really need the Single Transferable Vote over there.
TRiG.
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