that may be more pressing, like elections,”
The basis of every election is to underline who we are,
and what we stand for.
To suggest otherwise is capitulation. If you want to join the Dem's, don't use the (R) party, "Charlie Brown'son"!
Posted on 02/13/2007 5:18:20 PM PST by Graybeard58
TALLAHASSEE -- Gov. Charlie Crist does not want any more Republican Party money spent to advance a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage in Florida, and on Tuesday he dodged the issue of whether people should be able to vote on it.
“I just think that their money can be better spent on other things that may be more pressing, like elections,” Crist said. “The people care about issues like insurance premiums. They care like property taxes. They care about public safety.”
By distancing himself from the same sex marriage issue, Crist has again shown a preference for pragmatism over ideology, and a lack of enthusiasm for wedge issues. But he also risks alienating social conservatives in his party -- many of whom backed his opponent in last year’s Republican primary for governor.
“He’s certainly allowed to express his opinion,” said John Stemberger, an Orlando lawyer and chairman of the effort to put a same sex marriage ban in Florida’s Constitution. “I cannot imagine that he would reverse his position as a strong supporter of this effort. It’s good policy for him, it’s good politics, and it’s a historical thing that’s going to happen. It needs to happen.”
As for Crist’s opposition to party support for the amendment, Stemberger said: “I think he should re-evaluate his position.”
To date, the Florida Coalition to Protect Marriage, a political committee, received $300,000 last year from the Republican Party of Florida, more than half of the marriage group’s reported total.
Jim Greer, Crist’s handpicked choice to be chairman of the Republican Party of Florida, said he has not yet decided whether to contribute any more party money to the effort.
Florida has a state law banning same sex marriage, but supporters want it embedded in the Constitution.
Backers of what is called “the Florida Marriage Protection Amendment” are close to collecting the 611,000 signatures they need to get the proposal on the November 2008 presidential election ballot, subject to approval by the Florida Supreme Court.
The issue is considered vital to Republican efforts in mobilizing social conservatives.
The campaign’s spokesperson is Laura Gallagher, the wife of Tom Gallagher, the candidate Crist vanquished in last year’s Republican primary.
Supporters already faced one new hurdle: a requirement that ballot initiatives in Florida must get approval of at least 60 percent of voters.
Now they face resistance from a popular new governor who has sought to cast himself as a non-ideological problem solver tackling issues such as insurance, taxes and crime.
“I’m convinced those are the kinds of issues that the people of Florida want us to focus on that are in government, and I think it would be appropriate for the party to do the same, and I believe they will,” Crist said.
Asked if people should have a chance to vote on the same sex marriage issue, Crist said: “We only have so much time. And we have to prioritize what we put our energy into.”
Asked if there’s a “downside” to his party being identified as opposing gay marriage, Crist again dodged the question.
“I see an upside to fight for lower insurance premiums,” Crist said.
Crist is listed as an endorser of the amendment on the web site, www.florida4marriage.org.
While running for governor last year, Crist signed a petition in support of the same sex marriage ban.
In a Republican primary marked by rival Tom Gallagher’s overt appeals on issues such as abortion and gay marriage, Crist ran TV ads touting his work as attorney general in “defending traditional marriage.”
But after Crist trounced Gallagher by a 2-to-1 margin, social issues virtually vanished from the political dialogue, and gave way to issues Crist considers far more important, such as insurance and taxes.
"Pragmatic" means being the grand marshall at the gay pride parade and spending tax dollars on free abortions. It's what the new Rudy-fied GOP stands for. " -madprof98
I think the priceless thing is going to be the look on their faces when they lose the South to Hillary. The morons are not going to understand how that happened.
well, Rudy probably needs a campaign manager.
not surprising for this liberal in sheep's clothing. You got what you deserved, Florida.
I didn't "admit" a thing to you.
God's Word calls homosexuality a sin and you either believe it or your don't.
God's Word also say He hates those who bear false witness and slander others, for example calling somebody a homo just because they disagree with you on gay marriage.
So let's not confuse our moral priorities here.
The basis of every election is to underline who we are,
and what we stand for.
To suggest otherwise is capitulation. If you want to join the Dem's, don't use the (R) party, "Charlie Brown'son"!
.....how on earth do you know he's gay?....or do you just say that cause you disagree with him????
Obsessing over them evil queers is part of what cost the GOP the election. He's right when he says there are bigger things to worry about.
Ditto......
I think God also thinks that maybe people should stop using His name to advance their political agenda.
I'm in SW Florida and most people do think he is gay. It was a problem discussed in some circles when the Foley issue came up right before the November elections and Crist was on the ballot.
I don't think it's sarcasm at all, and it's going to be a hot topic here in the Sunshine State.
Ha ha ha ha. And what would you know about that Charlie??
This is the jackass that publicly stated (before getting the Republican nomination for governor) that Florida needed no laws protecting the citizens from eminent domain abuse....at the time several cities were confiscationg private property to sell to developers. Remember Riviera Beach?
So, I find his "concern" for issues such as property taxes something of a joke. He doesn't give a hoot about your property rights, so it's difficult to believe there is *any* sincerity in this declaration.
I'll be interested to see him explain what involvement the GOP should have in legislation to control insurance premiums.
Just what kind of a Republican is he?
Actually it was revulsion over the "evil queer" Foley that cost Republicans votes in a number of states. Foleygate was largely a trumped up lie (whether it was claims of Foley stalking minors of GOP endangering "youts" by sitting on the information while the DNC and media knew more details earlier and sat on them until October).
Unless of course He agrees with it.
Why should God have any problem with people advancing His objectives in this world?
I didn't know that. I was just going by the article.
Why is anyone surprised?
You don't remember the 2006 Florida race? The airplane story?
well NO....I didn't catch that one....
Sounds like another country-club Republican. These people are rarely worth listening to.
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