Bridge Brief — Week of June 29th, 2015
The Supreme Court last week did what the Republican Party refuses to: It respected the Affordable Care Act as the law of the land and deemed it unconstitutional to ban people the right to marry based on their sexual orientation. The momentous decisions will continue to ripple into the campaigns of those running for the White House this week, putting in stark relief the GOP's inability to offer positions and policies that reflect the direction America is moving, not the way they hoped it was. None of the GOP's leading presidential candidates celebrated the decision to legalize gay marriage. Their responses ranged from woefully tepid (see Jeb Bush's contradictory statement on preserving the freedom to discriminate based on sexual orientation) to the laughably extreme (see Bobby Jindal's suggestion to eliminate the court). In the week ahead we can expect more of the same, as the GOP further reinforces their image as hopelessly out of touch. It's not just about Scott Walker proposing a constitutional amendment -- all it's going to take is one question for Chris Christie about Social Security and we'll see his announcement transform into an anchor for the whole party.
What To Expect At The Western Conservative Summit
The long road to the Republican nomination is winding through America’s highest-profile home for Illuminati and Reptoids this week with Scott Walker, Rick Perry, Carly Fiorina, Rick Santorum, Mike Huckabee and more attending the Western Conservative Summit. Here’s what to expect from this weekend’s cattle call:
1. The New GOP Litmus Test: Gay Marriage
The Western Conservative Summit made news earlier this year when they barred the Log Cabin Republicans from attending their conference, but their backwards attitude towards the LGBT community won’t stop there. Summit Gala headliner Scott Walker has already doubled down on his call for a constitutional amendment, and panelist Tony Perkins went on an epic Twitter rant Friday, calling the ruling a “shocking abuse of power” and promising it would “supercharge” opposition to gay marriage. Don’t take Perkins’ word for it: Rick Santorum didn’t even wait for his speech to begin teeing off, telling Denver radio station KNUS that the ruling was the court’s attempt to be “trendy” with marriage equality and would lead to polygamy.
New GOP Marriage Equality Position Will Be Constitutional Amendment
Now that the Supreme Court has recognized marriage equality nationwide, the race is on to stake out the far right fringes of the Republican Party. Scott Walker and Ted Cruz have an early lead with their support for a constitutional amendment to allow states to ban marriage equality. Sure Marco Rubio called homosexuality a sin. Jeb Bush thinks the fight against marriage equality should continue because "we need to be stalwart supporters of traditional marriage." And Ben Carson thinks being gay is a choice because "a lot of people who go into prison go into prison straight -- and when they come out, they’re gay." But now that conservatives lost yet another Supreme Court case, GOP candidates are going to have to appease the Tea Party and support a constitutional amendment. Scott Walker saw the writing on the wall and took the extreme position before he needed to. Who will be next?
Seeing Double: Jeb Channels Brother on Discriminatory "Religious Freedom"
Jeb Bush is borrowing from his big brother's playbook again -- this time on same sex marriage. In an interview with "The Brody File" this weekend, Jeb said he doesn't believe in a constitutional right to marriage equality. He also doubled down on Indiana's discriminatory RFRA laws, arguing that businesses should be able to decline serving gay weddings. At the same time, George W. was giving a speech on the same topic at Southern Methodist University's graduation ceremony, sounding not so different from his little brother. Jeb has already been under fire for his failure to distance himself from W. on the disastrous Iraq War. With the brothers' parallel rhetoric on allowing for discrimination based on sexual orientation, we have to wonder -- are George and Jeb just siblings, or are they twins?
RNC Sticking With Its Signature Brand of Bigotry on RFRA.
Keeping with its narrow-minded ways, the Republican National Committee will vote to put its full support behind discriminatory 'religious freedom' laws today at its spring meeting. While the majority of Americans are against Indiana-style RFRA laws, the GOP continues to double down on its signature brand of bigotry. Back in April, 2016 contenders Jeb Bush, Marco Rubio, Rand Paul, Ted Cruz, Bobby Jindal, Rick Santorum, Mike Huckabee, and Ben Carson all stood with Gov. Mike Pence.
CC: Marco Rubio — 59% of Americans Support Same Sex Marriage
Marco Rubio's extreme conservative colors shined through again last night at an event for the Center for Arizona Policy. This fringe organization believes “homosexuals [can modify] their behavior and becom[e] heterosexual through Christian ministries and counseling," better known as conversion therapy -- a radical view that has been condemned by the American Psychological Associa
Scott Walker swings right to support gay marriage constitutional amendment
Scott Walker's in good company now that he supports a constitutional amendment to let states continue to ban marriage equality: Ted Cruz filed the same amendment. This move comes on the heels of Walker arguing to restrict legal immigration -- an extreme position that lines him up with Rick Santorum.
Divorced from Reality: GOP Slate Opposes Marriage Equality
As the Supreme Court hears oral arguments today on a landmark gay marriage case, every single GOP presidential candidate continues to oppose gay marriage, with Scott Walker going as far as supporting a constitutional amendment to ban marriage equality and Ted Cruz offering legislation that would invalidate thousands of legal marriages. 61 percent of Americans support marriage equality according to a recent Washington Post-ABC poll. Here's the heated rhetoric from the candidates vying to be our next president: Mike Huckabee: Changing my stance on same-sex marriage "is like asking someone who’s Jewish to start serving bacon-wrapped shrimp in their deli, or asking a Muslim to serve up something that is offensive to him, or to have dogs in his backyard." Scott Walker: " I believe marriage is between one man and one woman…I believe it’s reasonable for the people of America to consider a constitutional amendment that would affirm the ability of states to do just that."
GOP Candidates in Iowa Triple Down on RFRA, Opposing Gay Marriage
A reminder to the WHCA hangover crowd: while DC was partying, GOP presidential candidates were on the stump in Waukee, Iowa for the five hour Iowa Faith & Freedom summit, putting all their chips in on opposing gay marriage and supporting discriminatory Indiana-style RFRA laws. Here are some highlights:
Marco Rubio
Marriage is between one man and one woman, and children are better off with heterosexual parents: https://www.youtube.com/
MEMO: What To Expect In Nashua
TO: Interested Parties FROM: Brad Woodhouse, President, American Bridge 21st Century RE: What to Expect in Nashua DATE: April 17, 2015 Republican presidential candidates are descending like a swarm of locusts on Nashua, New Hampshire, this weekend for the NHGOP’s First in the Nation Leadership Summit. With more than 20 candidate events scheduled in addition to Friday and Saturday’s speaking slots, American Bridge will be working overtime to document every word from targeted candidates and continue our work holding Republicans accountable for their extreme positions and words. Here’s what we’re expecting to hear.