Michigan legislative action thread
Posted on 12/18/2013 9:15:14 PM PST by Tailgunner Joe
DETROIT, MI – The Democratic National Committee is honing in on Michigan’s 2014 elections and appears eager to make gay rights a central issue in multiple high-profile races.
DNC Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz visited Metro Detroit on Tuesday, speaking to a crowd of about 70 LGBT activists and candidates for office.
“We’re very focused on Michigan,” she said. “We have at least three House seats that are competitive here. Obviously the gubernatorial race is very competitive… The United States Senate race is competitive. So we are going to be organizing, vocalizing and focusing on Michigan as a prime, central address to make sure that people elect Democrats all across the state.”
Wasserman Schultz spoke alongside several top Michigan Democrats at Affirmations, a Ferndale social organization and service center for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.
She took turns bashing former state Rep. Dave Agema with U.S. Rep. Gary Peters (D-Bloomfield Twp.) -- who is running for Senate -- and Democratic candidate for governor Mark Schauer.
Agema, a Republican National Committeeman from Grandville, said earlier this month at a Berrien County Republican Party Holiday Reception that he believesgays are seeking same-sex marriage benefits because they are dying young from AIDS.
“Those comments, which were simply unacceptable, they were based on ignorance,” said Peters. “They were based on bigotry. They were based on just absolute discrimination. It goes counter to everything that we need to do as a society.”
Several top Michigan Republicans have spoken out against Agema’s comments.
House Speaker Jase Bolger (R-Marshall) said last week he was “disgusted” by the remarks. Gov. Rick Snyder’s office called them “discriminatory” and “extreme.”
But the Michigan Republican State Committee did not publically address Agema's statements in a meeting over the weekend.
“The fact that the Republican Party would allow for that type of intolerance – we need to be promoting equality and opportunity and diversity,” Wasserman Schultz said. “… It’s going to be part of the contrast that voters will choose from next year.”
Agema declined to comment on the matter Saturday. He stood by his comments in an email to supporters last week.
"I stand by my words as I said them despite efforts by others to twist the meaning of those words,” he wrote.
Terri Lynn Land, Peters’ opponent in the Senate race, hasn’t commented directly on Agema.
Peters bragged at the Tuesday gathering that he supported gay marriage “before it was cool.”
“If you look at those areas that are the most economically viable… where the growth is, where the expansion is, it’s those areas that welcome diversity,” he said. “It’s those areas that want the LGBT community in their community and that celebrate that community and that’s what we’re going to do in Michigan.”
Schauer made it clear that he wants to make gay rights issues a major part of his gubernatorial campaign.
“I will lead the charge to amend our constitution to provide for marriage equality in the state of Michigan,” he said.
Perhaps they can get the executives at A&E who performed censorship to come out and actively campaign for the Democrats.
Ping.
Hahaha. With what you rats did to Detroit, and on the heels of Obamacare, expect to lose in November, Washermouth. And keep your AIDS.
Let’s see how the Moslems in Dearborn react to this. Will they be enraged enough to vote Republican?
No, they will not vote Republican. Maybe they’ll kill another ambassador.
If dems need to focus on Michigan they are in serious trouble.
Going after the all-important Pervert Demographic.
It passed in referendums in Maine, Maryland and Washington State in 2012 while failing in Minnesota.
I wish we could get a fraction of the attention on Dave Agema that Duck Dynasty gets. Agema is an RNC committeeman who is under fire from both sides for his truthful comments on aids, gay marriage, and Obamacare..
Apparently we’re going to allow them to take out a tea partier from the policy making wing of the GOP because he isn’t important like a reality show star.
No, pay-back for passing Right to Work.
IMHO she might be bloviating with National Level Politicans, but she maybe hinting at going after the House and Senate in the State of Michigan, big-time to try to recapture the two Houses...
The Dems - the party of LGBQ minority.
The homo stuff is going to backfire.
Most of the union members outside of the cities are fairly socially conservative.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.