I see what you are saying ... doesn't look like your typical democrat. More of a soccer mom type in first brush. Let's hope she holds on to her convictions.
Posted on 03/30/2004 6:54:35 AM PST by ConservativeMajority
(Talon News) -- A rift has developed between the campaigns of Sen. Tom Daschle (D-SD) and Stephanie Herseth, the Democratic candidate for South Dakota's lone House seat over the issue of gay marriage.
A month ago, the Associated Press quoted Herseth as saying, "I agree with the president on this issue. Marriage should be between a man and a woman."
Her statement produced a strongly negative reaction from some Democrats, especially from inside the Daschle campaign. The Rapid City Journal reported that Steve Hildebrand, campaign manager for the Senate minority leader asked for a refund of his contribution to the Herseth campaign. No reason was given for the unusual request and requests for comment by Talon News were not returned.
A recent Associated Press story said that donations coming in through web sites had dried up, and Democrats were criticizing Herseth on the Internet. Ben Hanten, an executive board member of the South Dakota Democratic Party considered withdrawing his support until the candidate reassured him that her intent was to take the issue "off the table."
Others have not been as understanding.
Sam Hurst, a columnist for the Rapid City Journal wrote a blistering commentary in which he said, "Stephanie Herseth is too young and too bright to have lost her backbone. At an age when she should be known for brash idealism, she has chosen instead to pander to the dark voices of discrimination. Such is the cynical calculus of electoral campaigns."
Hurst said that at least one influential Rapid City couple canceled a fundraiser for her in disgust. Hurst noted that Herseth's stand puts her in direct opposition to the positions shared by Daschle and Sens. Tim Johnson (D-SD) and John Kerry (D-MA).
In a subsequent statement to the Rapid City Journal, the candidate said, "This is a difficult, deeply personal issue for many Americans. It is being debated in town halls, city governments, and living rooms across the country, so I see no reason why it should not be debated at the national level as well. That is what President Bush has called for, and it is why I did not object to his proposal."
She added, "I hope very much, though, that the timing of his proposal was not political because what we need in America today is more friendship and respect in politics and less divisiveness."
"There were some negative reactions," Herseth admitted. "Some were surprised and not very interested in hearing my rationale."
Despite taking a conservative position on gay marriage, Herseth remains one of the star candidates supported by the liberal, pro-abortion group Emily's List.
In 1996, the South Dakota legislature defined marriage as a union "between a man and a woman." Four years later lawmakers voted to respect any marriages conducted outside the state except those of same-sex couples.
Copyright © 2004 Talon News -- All rights reserved.
I see what you are saying ... doesn't look like your typical democrat. More of a soccer mom type in first brush. Let's hope she holds on to her convictions.
Interpretation: "How dare she exhibit any moral standards, despite the enormous pressure for her to cave to the perversions of the Party. Doesn't she know that politics trumps morals any day? Her soul may still end up with God some day and we want it."
They SPLIT?
I didn't even know they were an item...
She won't of course. Pretty soon, as with abortion, the Democrats will outlaw any dissension from the Party line on the issue of same sex marriage.
The two party system is now what keeps this country strong. The two party system is dictated by the "winner take all" rules of the electoral college, and for all the congressional races. If candidates or parties were accorded seats based on proportional representation, like some cities have, then we would have a different kind of party structure. It's entirely dictated by the rules. I prefer our rules to, say, Israel's, because it helps maintain stability in government by requiring parties to shoot for getting a majority of the votes, but multi-party systems might get the same result if set up right.
No, what makes this country great are its people and their non-governmental institutions--family, church, culture. Tearing these things down leaves us with a great system run by immoral people, which can only last so long, with or without a 2 party system.
"now" should be "not".
Either Hurst is wrong or John Kerry really does support gay marriage.
I always suspected he did.
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