Thread: GOP, big tent or big mess?

GOP, big tent or big mess?

By Ruben Navarrette Jr., CNN Contributor
updated 8:39 AM EDT, Tue August 28, 2012


Republicans gather for their convention in Tampa, Florida, as a party with deep divisions, says Ruben Navarrette.

Editor's note: Ruben Navarrette Jr. is a CNN contributor and a nationally syndicated columnist with the Washington Post Writers Group. Follow him on Twitter: @rubennavarrette

(CNN) -- Now that delegates have converged on Tampa, Florida, for the Republican National Convention, one has to wonder whether there is enough room in the arena for all the conflicting and contradictory elements of the modern Republican Party.

There is the camp that claims it wants to be more inclusive, broader in its appeal and more welcoming to women, gays and minorities. Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush recently warned that, because of changing demographics, the GOP has to "reach out to a much broader audience than we do today."

But then there is the camp that ensured that the Republican platform included language rejecting not just same-sex marriage but also the watered-down alternative that many elected officials find more palatable: civil unions. The GOP platform committee also defeated a proposed amendment that said all Americans should be treated "equally under the law" as long as they're not hurting anyone else.

Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach, who is known for his immigration hard-line, implied that it was fine to treat gays and lesbians differently because: "Our government routinely judges situations where you might regard people completely affecting themselves like, for example, the use of controlled substances, like, for example, polygamy that is voluntarily entered into. We condemn those activities even though they are not hurting other people at least directly."

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There is the group that insists it wants to focus on economic issues as the best way to defeat President Barack Obama. Many political observers see Mitt Romney's choice of spending hawk Paul Ryan as his running mate as pretty strong evidence that this view is prevailing at the top of the ticket.

Romney far behind Obama in likability
But then there is the group that can't seem to resist the catnip of social conservatism and that charges into the abortion debate. The platform also includes an across-the-board ban on all abortions, even in the case of rape or incest. And in 2012, as in previous election years, even with all the supposed emphasis on the economy, being pro-choice was considered a liability for those vying for the Republican presidential nomination and a disqualifier for anyone chosen to be vice president.

There is the camp that calls for states such as Arizona to have the last say in shaping immigration policy by enlisting local police in the enforcement of federal immigration laws, denying driver's licenses to illegal immigrants or attempting to punish landlords who rent to them.

But there is also the camp that insists that states shouldn't have the final word with regard to immigration if it means they can grant drivers' permits to illegal immigrants or opt out of a program such as Secure Communities, which requires local police to submit to federal authorities the fingerprints of anyone they arrest to determine if they're in the country illegally.

There is the faction that still thinks you can keep out illegal immigrants from Mexico and the rest of Latin America by building walls and fences on the U.S.-Mexico border, but also the faction that wants to create new ways to bring in an ample supply of Mexican immigrants to work legally in agriculture, hospitality, construction and other industries.

There is the group that supports Romney's plan to encourage illegal immigrants to simply "self-deport" by making the country more unwelcoming and drying up employment opportunities, and the group that worries about a labor shortage and economic slowdown if that happens.

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The party platform expresses support for something that some employers want: a temporary guest worker program that imports foreign labor to offset worker shortages in fields such as agriculture.

And it also backs something that many employers don't: a requirement that all businesses participate in the government-administered e-verify system, which is supposed to determine whether an employee is legally eligible to work.

This is some strange hash. What does it mean to be a Republican these days if unifying principles are so hard to come by?

A generous explanation could be that this is an example of the GOP "big tent" that some conservatives have always dreamed of, where Republicans with different views can put aside their disagreements and come together in a common purpose.

A more realistic explanation is that, in 2012, the Republican Party has become a patchwork of individual interests united only by a shared desire to ensure that Obama is limited to a single term. We'll have to see if that is enough to hold the coalition together. And if so, what it means for the future of the Grand Ol' Party.

What happens in Tampa will be our first clue.

Follow @CNNOpinion on Twitter

GOP, big tent or big mess? - CNN.com

Ruben what you and the liberal left including many rino's wish to do is drag the GOP into your arena, socialism and a secular society with little social values, the Democrat party has moved so far left they must be contained and pulled back otherwise we will see a third party emerge.

Young Conservatives and Log Cabin Republicans call for Freedom to Marry in full-page ad in Tampa

Log Cabin TampaTribune Ad

News release from Log Cabin Republicans:

Young Conservatives and Log Cabin Republicans Call for Freedom to Marry in Full-Page Ad in Tampa

Also Highlighting Marriage as Conservative Value in Brunch During RNC

(Tampa) - With the Republican National Convention in full swing, Young Conservatives for the Freedom to Marry and Log Cabin Republicans will be running an ad in Wednesday's Tampa Tribune calling on the GOP to support the freedom to marry for gay and lesbian couples.

The full-page color ad, featuring photos of same-sex couples and their families, emphasizes that the freedom to marry is fully consistent with principles valued by conservatives: freedom, personal responsibility, and the importance of family. The ad comes in the wake of the party's extreme stance on marriage in its draft platform, which includes support for a federal constitutional amendment banning the freedom to marry for same-sex couples. Tony Perkins, the president of the anti-gay Family Research Council, authored the marriage plank, which is expected to be ratified at the convention.

"Gay or straight, Republicans are united in the belief that strong families are critical to a free society," said R. Clarke Cooper, Executive Director of the Log Cabin Republicans. "As fellow conservatives, Log Cabin Republicans actually agree with Tony Perkins about the importance of family values. The difference is, we believe that the freedom to marry is directly in line with the core ideals and principles of the Republican Party - less government, more individual freedom, personal responsibility and the importance of family."

"The writing is on the wall for the Republican Party: Stand up for the values they say they believe in, or risk being seen as irrelevant with younger conservatives," said Sarah Longwell, Vice President at Berman and Company and a member of the Young Conservatives for the Freedom to Marry leadership committee.

"This is a party that should support freedom - for all people, and all families."

The ad reads:
"The Institution of marriage is the foundation of civil society. Its success as an institution will determine our success as a nation."

Tony Perkins, Family Research Council, GOP Platform
We agree. That's why Log Cabin Republicans and Young Conservatives for the Freedom to Marry believe that government should stop denying marriage licenses to committed gay and lesbian families. As conservatives, we believe that the freedom to marry is directly in line with the core ideals and principles of the Republican Party.

Family values means valuing ALL families.

Young Conservatives for the Freedom to Marry is hosting a complimentary brunch at the convention today, in partnership with Log Cabin Republicans. The program will be MC'ed by Margaret Hoover, a political strategist and CNN contributor who also is a member of the Young Conservatives for the Freedom to Marry leadership committee. Andrew Langer, the president of the Institute for Liberty, will also speak.

Steve Rothaus' Gay South Florida

Aug 28, 2012

Ron Paul backers boo GOP credentials report

By David Jackson, USA TODAY
Updated 3m ago

Texas Rep. Ron Paul, center in white shirt swarmed on the GOP convention floor.
CAPTION

By Tim Loehrke, USA TODAY

TAMPA -- Ron Paul backers made their presence felt today at the Republican National Convention, loudly booing and shouting at party leaders over a report on delegate seating.Supporters of the libertarian Texas congressman and former presidential candidate -- believing they were entitled to more delegates at the convention -- chanted "Object! Object!" over adoption of the delegate report, but Republican Party Chairman Reince Priebus declined to recognize them.

Some Paul supporters, also objecting to rule changes that would affect future delegate selections, shouted "cheater."

Eventually, the more numerous Mitt Romney supporters began counter-chanting: "Please sit down! Please sit down!"

Priebus had to gavel the convention to a lower volume, saying at one point: "Guys, we will proceed with the order of business."

Later, during discussion of a rules report, Paul supporters began chanting: "Point of order! Point of order!" They booed loudly when convention leaders adopted the report.

Most of the objections came from cowboy-dressed, hat-waving delegates from Texas, which is Paul's home state.

GOP Rep. Ron Paul, center, poses with meone from the Texas delegation.
CAPTION

By Robyn Beck, AFP/Getty Images

Some delegates from one of the disputed states -- Maine -- left the floor after the convention ruled on the credentials battle.The Paul faction was already upset because their candidate was not put on the speakers' list for this convention; there will only be a video of his candidacy.

In the minutes leading up the opening gavel of the afternoon session, groups began chanting the name "Ron Paul" as the Texas congressman and former Romney opponent appeared on the convention floor.

Some Paul supporters also chanted "Let him speak!"
After a few moments another group of delegates began to chant "Romney! Romney!"

The dueling chants lasted a few seconds before both groups stopped.

The later demonstration took quite a bit longer.

The Associated Press provides background on the rules dispute:

Rep. Ron Paul's delegates are trying to mount a floor fight over new GOP rules designed to limit the ability of insurgent presidential candidates to amass delegates to future Republican conventions. ...
The new GOP rules would bind delegates to the outcome of presidential primaries and caucuses. Presidential candidates would be able to choose which delegates represent them at the convention. However, in a concession to activists agreed to on Monday, the candidates would have to consult with state parties in selecting the delegates.
Currently, state parties choose national delegates, usually at state and congressional district conventions.
The original rule approved by the convention's rules committee last week left state parties out of selection process, angering many party activists, not just those who support Paul. The change was agreed to Monday in an attempt to garner more support for the new rules, said an RNC official. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, was not authorized to discuss the negotiations publicly.

Ron Paul backers boo GOP credentials report

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I met a black Mormon birther Washington Post (blog) - ‎1 hour ago But I got the unexpected from Dr. Allen Johnson of Texas. Dressed in the Texas delegation's uniform of blue jeans, a cowboy hat and a shirt that resembled the Lone Star State's flag, Johnson is a black Mormon birther Ron Paul delegate from the Austin area.

Aug 29, 2012

GOP ejects people who threw nuts at black camerawoman

By David Jackson, USA TODAY
Updated 21m ago

TAMPA -- There are tensions just below the surface at the Republican convention.The GOP ejected two people from last night's session for allegedly throwing nuts at a black CNN camerawoman, and saying, "This is how we feed animals."

"Yesterday two attendees exhibited deplorable behavior," said a Republican statement, posted by Talking Points Memo. "Their conduct was inexcusable and unacceptable.

This kind of behavior will not be tolerated."

Security also escorted out at least two protesters who began yelling during GOP speeches at the Tuesday convention session. Their comments could barely be heard in the large arena, the Tampa Bay Times Forum.

The nut-throwing incident was first reported on Twitter by Take Action News and reporter David Shuster.

Tweeted Shuster: "GOP attendee ejected for throwing nuts at African American CNN camera woman + saying 'This is how we feed animals'."

Some Twitter users are casting it as a racial issue. But it should be noted that some Republicans dislike many media members, regardless of color.

Talking Points Memo also has a CNN statement from Tuesday:

"CNN can confirm there was an incident directed at an employee inside the Tampa Bay Times Forum earlier this afternoon. CNN worked with convention officials to address this matter and will have no further comment."


GOP ejects people who threw nuts at camerawoman

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RE: GOP ejects people who threw nuts at black camerawoman

Just for clarification,

Does anyone know if the rules permit throwing nuts at white male cameramen?