Dems Make a Splash with Platform Dives
August 10, 2012 - Friday
It looks like the Democrats' platform will get its final tune-up in Motor City before its big debut at the Charlotte convention. This weekend, 100 of the party faithful are meeting in Detroit to put the finishing touches on the Democrats' document after a closed-door session last month. According to sources close to the process, the 50-page statement is the most socially aggressive, anti-family, yet--spelling out the party's support for everything from special transgender rights to same-sex "marriage."
Unlike 2008, this year's draft is already driving a wedge between the Democrats' radical wing and its more moderate minorities, who fiercely disagree with the President's agenda on marriage. A new Pew Forum poll points to how wide the divide really is. In its latest survey, 65% of Democrats supported same-sex "marriage" compared to just 40% of African Americans. The cracks in the party's foundation started showing in May when President Obama officially "evolved" on the issue--then deepened when word leaked that the DNC would officially endorse gay "marriage" as a universal priority.
More than 3,700 black pastors are hoping to demonstrate just how betrayed they feel with a special "Mandate on Marriage" initiative. Led by the Coalition of African American Pastors, the group is urging the President to retract his statement that "gay marriage is a civil right." Unfortunately, their job got a lot more difficult thanks to platform language like this: "We support the right of all families to have equal respect, responsibilities, and protections under the law. We support marriage equality and support the movement to secure equal treatment under the law for same-sex couples." Interestingly enough, the party did include a throw-away line about endorsing "the freedom of churches and religious entities to decide how to administer marriage as a religious sacrament without government interference."
Americans know better than to believe that this fig leaf of a phrase. They've watched the marriage debate unfold in the military, where Navy leadership has actually leaned on chaplains to consider officiating same-sex "weddings." What the DNC really means is that it's happy to defend Americans' First Amendment rights--as long as they confine those rights to the four walls of their church. Of course, that doesn't solve the real problem, which is the incompatibility of religious freedom and same-sex "marriage." As long as that tension exists, something has to give. And that "something" is usually faith. Meanwhile, nothing--not even millions of chicken sandwiches--seems to be slowing down the DNC's reckless agenda. But if Democrats insist on rushing America down the aisle, they'll have to do it over the objections of the voters.
Where Will You Be September 14?
We're counting down the 35 days to the most exciting event in Washington--the 2012 Values Voter Summit! Time is running out to make your reservations for a jam-packed weekend of the conservative movement's greatest leaders and thinkers, including: Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.), House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.), Sen. Rick Santorum, Reps. Paul Ryan (R-Wisc.), Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.), and Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), Ted Cruz, Dr. Bill Bennett, Dennis Prager, Lt. Gen. Jerry Boykin (U.S. Army-Ret.), Star Parker, Lila Rose, and many more. For just $99, you'll have the opportunity to enjoy celebrity book signings, a special Friday night movie screening, targeted breakout sessions, student activities, the sold-out exhibit hall, and the Leadership Institute's Jobs and Internships Fair. Register today at ValuesVoterSummit.org or by calling 877-372-2808.
** Don't miss the latest Washington Watch Weekly with Mat Staver, President of Liberty Counsel, who will stop by to talk about a Miami pastor who was threatened with his church's eviction for preaching about biblical marriage and homosexuality. Also, FRC's Ken Blackwell will be on the show to discuss the 2012 Presidential campaign and the White House's lawsuit against Ohio's early voting law for the military. For more information or to find a radio station near you, visit FRCRadio.org.
*** Yesterday's pastors briefing in North Carolina was such a success that even the media couldn't help but notice. Check out this story in the Charlotte Observer about the mission of FRC's church outreach.
**** The Washington Update will be taking a short break while our leadership team looks ahead to the next 100 days. FRC will still be moving full steam ahead, though, so look for Action Alerts on any breaking news. In the meantime, keep up-to-date with daily postings on FRC Action's The Cloakroom blog or the FRC Blog.