Posted on 09/09/2004 3:20:16 PM PDT by EternalVigilance
"In politics, nothing is contemptible." --Disraeli
The Indiana Governor's race took a strange turn this week with the revelation that Mitch Daniels, the Republican candidate, met with gay and lesbian activists at the homosexual Jesus Metropolitan Church in Indianapolis over the weekend.
Conservative leaders took exception to the meeting which was billed as an "outreach" to constituents. Those conservative leaders were scolded by the Indianapolis Star in an editorial today for speaking out against the meeting. The Daniels campaign has denied any affront to the conservative movement in the state.
Adding fuel to the fire, the stated employment policy for the Daniels campaign (listed at the bottom of the contact page of the www.MyManMitch.com website) recommends an anti-discrimination policy which exceeds Federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) guidelines and standard business practice for discrimination based on "sexual orientation."
Daniels campaign extends anti-discrimination practices to such issues as "gender identity." His website asserts that a Mitch Daniels administration would "implement this [anti-discrimination] policy in state government."
Conservatives are concerned about Daniels' meeting especially in light of his decision to implement a pro-homosexual employment standard.
This puts into question Daniels stated support for laws in Indiana defining marriage as between one man and one woman. And they are concerned that the implementation of his anti-discrimination policy in state government would effectively require companies who do business with the state to implement the same policy themselves.
Harry Truman said, "whenever a fellow tells me he is bipartisan, I know he is going to vote against me." Conservative Republicans know by experience that "moderate" Republican candidates who seek the support of liberal groups will always "vote against" conservative causes if elected.
It is not a flaw in the character of Christian Conservatives to feel betrayed by these actions as the Indianapolis Star claims in its editorial today. They cannot "get over it" because they know Daniels will betray their support if he is elected under these circumstances. They suddenly can see no difference between Daniels and his opponent who strongly supports gay rights as it is.
It is negligent on the part of the Daniels campaign to assume conservatives could support such actions.
Dwight Eisenhower said, "A people that value its privileges above its principles soon loses both." The same can be said of politicians. Candidates must build a base in natural constituencies to be successful. To do so requires ideological consistency in words and deeds. Seeking acceptance from un-natural constituencies always ends in betrayal and at the same time causes a breakdown in alliances with natural supporters.
That is the sin of the Daniels campaign. Mitch Daniels himself should clear the air by assuring his supporters that they need not "get over it."
Ed Shrock should apply for work as Mitch's volunteer coordinator.
I think the IndyStar needs to just get over themselves. They've got a few flawed characters of their own to worry about.
I would kill to have a candidate like Mitch Daniels in my state! He's run a great campaign and is ready to seriesly reform Indiana government.
That's great. But I hope one of the 'reforms' isn't to give gays, lesbians and 'others' special rights.
We had to fight this fight in the courts in Iowa, against a Dem governor. Thankfully we won. Might not be so easy against a Republican.
I hate Sunday Christians, your values should be more important than your political office, i am ashamed you call yourself a republican.
Me? What did I do?
Or were you speaking generally?
ping...
If you'd read the Indy Star article you'd know he doesn't support that, and he told the gays just that.
What about the info about his hiring standards, then?
Daniels campaign extends anti-discrimination practices to such issues as "gender identity." His website asserts that a Mitch Daniels administration would "implement this [anti-discrimination] policy in state government."
"I would kill to have a candidate like Mitch Daniels in my state! He's run a great campaign and is ready to seriesly reform Indiana government."
So we get someone in to reform, and then we lose all the battles because he is not really a true conservative? I don't know how good an idea that is.
"But I hope one of the 'reforms' isn't to give gays, lesbians and 'others' special rights.
If you'd read the Indy Star article you'd know he doesn't support that, and he told the gays just that."
Johnny, you're wrong......go to the bottom of http://www.mymanmitch.com/contactus.asp . He is clearly advocating that.
I'm ashamed to call myself a christian with modern day Pharisees like you claming to represent Chirst.
There is NOTHING wrong, with meeting and talking with ANYBODY. I know gay people. I don't think they are doing the best thing with their lives. But to suggest I shouldn't know them, or be friends with them, because I disagree with this aspect of their life, is so anti-everything christ stood for, I can't even begin to express how much disgust I feel to those who claim to represent Christ saying I shouldn't.
I know what you are saying. We should be able to meet with anyone. But the principle of putting this kind of anti-discrimination policy into state government goes against conservative ideals. And it could be onerous to companies wanting to obtain government contracts. I don't want to beat Mitch down here. I think he is going to win and should win. But the debate is probably more important than election result if it is won under false pretenses.
Okay, you win, only vote for candidates who refuse to hire gays.
He's caving to one of the primary agenda items of the radical homosexual agenda.
After Tuesday's meeting, Jeff Newman, of Greenwood, who runs the gay indy.org Web site, said most at the meeting were disappointed that Daniels did not endorse new civil rights protections.
Johnny: understood. I read that too. It's the policy he proposes to implement which is critical here. And there are many in Indiana who are concerned about it all.
Supporting the base is also quite important.
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