Republican Congressman Kolbe - "Gay Marriage...its time has come"

03/05/04 | sasafras

[Zack Nguyen]

He's a right to his opinion.

Well sure he does. He's also wrong, and it needs to be pointed out.

[Super Mak90kid]

"and compared the civil disobediance of gay couples getting married to the civil rights struggles of African-Americans."

Comparing this to the early civil rights struggle is a disgrace. You'd think blacks would be up in arms about this. These perverts actually see themselves as heroes. Pathetic...

[JackDanielsOldNo7]

back of the bus?

They are always at the back of the bus.

[bogdanPolska12]

'gay marriage will be considered normal in a few years' --- over my Polish Christian dead body.

[madprof98]

As the Dems have always insisted, there are people who count and people who do not count. The people who oppose gay marriage (and abortion and a host of other socially "progressive" causes) obviously do not count.

[gaspar]

Kolbe is gay and insists on dragging his toy with him to Republican gatherings. Most people who go to see him do so only once. In essence, he is a tiresome fraud, and RINO is too good a title to hang on him.

[Super Mak90kid]

"He's a right to his opinion"

Unfortunately for him, so do we.

[Bikers4Bush]

Rino scumbag. Who do these people think they represent the left?

Good lord.

[kaktuskid]

Too many Californicators and Chicagians bringing their stupid ideas with'em!

[sasafras]

Unfortunately people from CA are moving to states like Arizona and bringing their liberal and un-American beliefs with them.

[madprof98]

For an example of African-American reaction on this issue, see Cynthia Tucker's thoughts.

[kingu]

This has NOTHING to do with civil rights.

Can that ever be repeated enough times? Even if homosexuality is a genetic or hormonal thing, it isn't connected to gay marriage. Nothing requires a straight guy to go out with a woman, same with a homosexual.

A choice does not put you in a protected group. (And yes, for the billionth time, since I'm sure it is in someone's mind, religion is a choice and therefore shouldn't be 'protected.' Beat someone up because they are Jewish - it should be battery under the law. Beat up someone because they look like they are Jewish, then it should be a 'hate' crime under the law.

And yes, again, for the record, I think it is incredibly stupid to imply that you can read someone's mind when committing a crime.

[JohnnyZ]

What are the odds of success of the primary challenge from Randy Graf this year?

[King Black Robe]

Dear Bush: This is why it really does matter who you offer a stage to.

[King Black Robe]

He was one of the speakers at Bush's convention in 2000.

[Spiff]

Rep. Graf Forms Exploratory Committee for Possible Run at Cong. Kolbe

By Dennis Durband, Editor
Arizona Conservative
March 2, 2004

GREEN VALLEY, AZ -- Citing the need for representation in Congressional District 8 that reflects mainstream Republican values, House Majority Whip Randy Graf announced Tuesday the formation of an exploratory committee to allow him to test the waters for a primary challenge to embattled Rep. Jim Kolbe.

“After many discussions with Republicans in the district and a long contemplation with my family, I have come to the conclusion that opening up an exploratory committee is the right thing to do,” said Rep. Graf (R-LD30). “This is a Republican district made up of good people with solid Republican values. Unfortunately, Jim Kolbe has continued to move further away from the mainstream values of the Republican Party with each passing year. His positions on immigration, spending, partial-birth abortion and traditional family values are out of line with a large majority of Republican voters.”

Graf said he was initially reluctant to challenge an incumbent in a Republican primary.

“However, it has became very clear that there is a real frustration among mainstream Republicans with Jim Kolbe’s policy positions," Rep. Graf said. "As I traveled the district to meet with voters, I was overwhelmed by the level of frustration people have with Jim’s liberal agenda. Time and again I received the same message from Republicans: If Congressman Kolbe is going to abandon our mainstream Republican values, then it is time for a change. As a common-sense Republican and a strong supporter of Republican ideals, I think it is necessary to at least explore the opportunity to give Republican voters a clear choice in this September’s primary.”

A Graf-Kolbe contest would present a classic conservative vs. liberal confrontation with sharp contrasts in values. Just last week, Cong. Kolbe voted against the Unborn Victims of Violence Act. He has recently been protested at a Sierra Vista town meeting by conservatives disgusted with Kolbe's co-sponsorship, with Cong. Jeff Flake and Sen. John McCain, of a controversial guest worker program. Graf is a classic, pro-life advocate of traditional and time-honored American values.

Graf won election to the Arizona House of Representatives in 2000. He has since been re-elected by a large margin. In 2002, his colleagues elected him the House Majority Whip, the third-ranking Republican in the House. He has lived in Green Valley for the past 20 years with his wife Cathy. and his son Jeremy.

Graf is expected to make formal decision on running within the next 30 days.

[Protagoras]

More Republicans helping to get the country back on the right track. Makes me want to get out my checkbook for them,,,,not.

[sasafras]

Graf unfortunately faces an uphill battle with Kolbe. Kolbe gets the RINO, moderate and some democratice vote. Tucson has more registered democrats and therefore any conservative would have to bend a little to get elected. Kolbe is bad, really bad but know where near as bad a Congressman Grijalva. After hearing Kolbe today and watching my fellow citizens say or do nothing after his bold and anti-family statement, I am depressed - I dont know why I care any more.

[cake_crumb]

Yep, he's a RINO alright. Any REAL Republican would be defending the definition of marriage and the rule of law.

[Dr. Eckleburg]

The play seems to be have Bush look unhappy while the democrats and turn-coat republicans follow the will of the Village People and approve gay marriage.

Pathetic.