Posted on 06/10/2004 5:29:21 PM PDT by kjfpolitical
The Miami Herald August 30, 2000 Wednesday SECTION: LOCAL; Pg. 3B HEADLINE: MCCOLLUM TOUTS NEED FOR HATE-CRIME BILL BYLINE: STEVE BOUSQUET AND DANIEL A. GRECH
Republican U.S. Senate candidate Bill McCollum visited three major media markets across the state Tuesday and will visit one more today, carrying the same message: The need for a federal hate-crimes law to protect minorities, including gays and lesbians, from discrimination.
McCollum, a congressman from the Orlando suburbs and chairman of the House Subcommittee on Crime, met with gays in Miami, including members of the largest gay GOP group, the Log Cabin Republicans.
The Miami stop followed visits to Tampa and West Palm Beach, where he spoke to Jewish community leaders and appeared with two fellow Republicans: U.S. Rep. Mark Foley and U.S. Sen. Connie Mack, who is retiring after two terms. Today, McCollum will meet with African American leaders in Orlando.
"Hate crimes are not just crimes of violence but crimes against a class of people. They are statement crimes," McCollum told gay activists in the International Room at Miami Airport Marriott.
His message was well received.
"We are seeing more openness in Republicans to the gay community," said Dr. Charles J. LoPiccolo, a member of Log Cabin Republicans.
"Now we don't have to vote for socialists just because we're gay." CHANGED STAND
McCollum's current enthusiasm for a federal hate crimes law strikes some as ironic.
Democrat Bill Nelson has attacked McCollum as a "wolf in sheep's clothing" by trying to appear more moderate than he is.
Nelson's campaign cited a 1988 McCollum vote against legislation (HR 3193) requiring the Justice Department to keep statistics on crimes committed on the basis of race, religion, ethnicity or sexual orientation. In 1989, however, McCollum voted for a similar bill (HR 1048).
McCollum said he had changed his mind. "Perhaps in the '80s I didn't recognize the significance of hate crimes as I did later. Point is, I believe - and have for years - that hate crimes are fundamentally wrong."
GRAPHIC: photo: Bill McCollum (a); MARICE COHN BAND, HERALD STAFF ON THE STUMP: U.S. Senate hopeful Bill McCollum talks about the need for a federal hate-crimes bill at the Airport Marriott in Miami.
Where does Mel Martinez stand on this kind of silly, pandering, insulting legislation?
Martinez opposes hate crimes legislation. I think Klayman said he opposes it too.
Hate Crimes are agaisnt a Class of People? true, The CLASS that are Pedophiles,Polygamists,People that practice Male to Male Sodomy,bi-sexuals beastiality, incest...GOD hated there Sin so much he destroyed them at Soddom and Gomorrah....Now we are protecting there SIN....
Another 'Republican' drinks the kool-aid and becomes a Democrat.
Gee. McCollum's turning into a RINO. He has no chance. He's already proven he can't win a statewide election.
And worse then protecting sin, soon preaching this will be illegal because it will be "hate speech".
People thought it was a joke when we said the left would turn the Bible into "hate speech," but I fear that day is not far away.
Now you have done it, watch out.
The "Big Tent" is destroying this party and the country.
McCollum IS a RINO. He also supports gun control. There are better candidates in the race. My favorite is Mel Martinez...pro-life, pro-gun and pro-family.
Absolutely correct.
See Canada and France as perfect examples of this.
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