The LCR is pumping a new survey of Republican voters to show how pro-gay they are. They describe it as showing that "Republican voters support basic fairness for all Americans, regardless of sexual orientation," and "This poll makes it clear that the much talked about 'base' of the GOP fundamentally believes in basic fairness for all Americans." Well, let's take a look at the results.
Here's the list of results:
- 48% said the government should not restrict gay and lesbian behavior.
- 49% of Republicans believe gays and lesbians should be able to serve openly in the U.S. military, while 42% are opposed.
- 77% of Republicans believe an employer should not have the right to fire an employee based solely on their sexual orientation.
- 43% of Republicans support either marriage equality or civil unions. 51% oppose all relationship recognition.
- 53% of respondents agree that "the Republican Party has spent too much time focusing on moral issues such as abortion and gay marriage and should instead be spending time focusing on economic issues such as taxes and government spending."
Look, this might be an improvement over the past when Republicans overwhelmingly wanted us all thrown in prison, or even further back when both parties were in on the policing-sexuality-if-it-upsets-me mentality. But to say that it's somehow a good place for any major political party to be? Well, I suppose if you just don't like government programs to help the poor and are insanely scared of the threat of the week but love the same sex you've got to make those two ends meet, and you take what you can get in terms of "support".
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7 Comments
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Alex, it would be useful here (if it exists) if you provided a link to the full text of what the Log Cabin Republicans said so that it can be seen in full context. It's not at all clear to me whether the poll was of just self-identified members of the "base" or a broader sampling of Republicans generally. Then maybe I can form a more intelligent opinion about the whole matter.
Don Sherfick | June 28, 2007 4:32 PM
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Alex,
If I listened to a lot of the nationaly elected Republicans (and some Democrats) who have instigated the anti-LGBT legislation, they justify what they are doing because their base unanimously supports all anti-LGBT issues.
This poll lets them know that their base does not unanimously support all anti-LGBT legislation.
This poll even says that on some issues, their base supports equality and fairness. And even something like marriage, it is not as unanimous as they my think.
This poll was done by a trusted GOP pollster of Republicans not an HRC poll of the general population.
In journalism and particularly in politics, it is important to know who a message is for.
To me it was obvious that this was not a message saying how gay-friendly Republicans are (even though general population polls on our issues are not a whole lot better), it was definitely a message to all the anti-LGBT Republican politicians, letting them know that their base is not as anti-LGBT as they claim and it is becoming less anti-LGBT in time.
David Wene | June 28, 2007 5:06 PM
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And yet every single Republican candidate for President is supporting "Dont Ask, Dont Tell". Unanimously! Certainly gives those gungho LCRs a choice in the primaries!
Wilson46201 | June 28, 2007 5:26 PM
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Does anyone know of a GLBT blog that is progressive and insightful, but that doesn't devolve into partisan immaturity and bitterness?
Rita | June 28, 2007 5:42 PM
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Don -
I thought I did put it in there. oops! It's up there now and here's the link.
On your question, Patrick Sammon said:
David - You're absolutely right. If it's taken as "there are diverse opinions", then yeah, that's an accurate assessment. I think that Patrick Sammon's statements make it seem as though he thinks that Republican identified voters are a lot further along than they actually are.
Also, if a republican presidential candidate plays to the more with us 40-70% of whatever specific legislation is being discussed, they're going to lose more people than if thye play against us. The Republicans who support us, unfortunately, aren't as vocal as those who oppose us.
Alex Blaze | June 28, 2007 5:46 PM
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Rita~
I would suggest this one, but apparently pointing out the flaws with the current system of politics, as expressed by both parties as part of a larger system that prevents real change and only assimilates "worthy" people slowly and haphazardly, is "partisan immaturity and bitterness". So since I know very little of what meets your standards of mature political debate (apparently a debate that ignores political identity or pretends that one's politics don't stem from one's experiences, attitudes, or thoughts), then perhaps you should start a blog of your own, and you can do that here, free of charge.
Alex Blaze | June 28, 2007 11:30 PM
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You can have the entire poll in PDF form at:
http://fabmac.com/6-07%20National%20GOP%20Media%20Presentation%20Handout.pdf
Lynn David | June 29, 2007 2:02 AM
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