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DOMA Included in GOP "Purity Test"


TestTubesx390 (Photos.com) | Advocate.com

A so-called purity test of conservative principles being circulated for consideration among Republican National Committee members includes a commitment to retain the Defense of Marriage Act.

The proposed test, reported by MSNBC’s First Read, outlines 10 conservatives principles, including opposition to “Obama-style government run healthcare”; a rejection of cap-and-trade solutions for global warming; opposition to federal funding for abortion; and retention of DOMA, the 1996 law that prohibits the federal government from recognizing same-sex marriages.

Prospective candidates would have to abide by at least eight of the 10, or risk the withdrawal of RNC endorsements and financial support.

News of the proposed test immediately sparked concerns from less conservative quarters that two of the party’s best known moderates, Senators Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins of Maine, would flunk, according to the Atlantic Online.  

The stringent proposal arrives weeks after a congressional race in New York’s upstate 23rd district exposed profound rifts within the GOP. Grassroots conservatives managed to oust a socially moderate Republican, Dede Scozzafava, from the contest, although Democrat Bill Owens ultimately defeated Conservative party candidate Doug Hoffman.

According to First Read, it remains unclear whether the proposal, called the “Resolution on Reagan’s Unity Principle for Support of Candidates” in reference to the former Republican president, will be formally introduced at the RNC’s winter meeting in Honolulu in January.

RNC committee member Jim Bopp Jr., the author of the resolution and general counsel to National Right to Life, told First Read that the purpose of the resolution was to reclaim “conservative bona fides."

Bopp Jr. added that the resolution aims to demonstrate that the party is open to diverse views — “but you have to agree with us most of the time,” he said.

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Reader Comments
  • Name: Pro-abortion queer candidate (R)
    Date posted: 11/24/2009 7:31:59 PM
    Hometown: D.C. with my RNC pals, if elected

    Comment:

    Wait a minute, my queer friends. Let's not judge too hastily; maybe the RNC really is open to diversity. It says, we only need to score 8 points out of 10 to get our conservative "bona fides." Let's see now, that means we can keep any 2 of these, and then just go along with the wingnuts on the remaining 8 items. I can do that! Let's see, hmmm . . . Ok, well I'm queer, and love my LGBTs, and would sooner sell-out the whole RNC than even one of them, so I'll take the hit on DOMA for 1 point, and then begin a pro gay-marriage faction of the RNC. Sorry Maggie, but I'll make it up to you somehow (just bring a brown paper bag; I got an idea). Hmmm . . . you know, except for the Obama-style health care, I don't really care too much about the rest of that stuff, so why not just begin a govmn't run health-care faction of RNC and be done with it? No wait! I'll go pro-abortion instead (that'll piss em off!). Yes! I'm RNC now! Hey, Rush! Glenn! Great to be here! Sarah - love those running shorts!

  • Name: Davya
    Date posted: 11/24/2009 7:29:49 PM
    Hometown: Wynnewood, PA

    Comment:

    Also, this IS a test. It is a test as to which republicans are willing to stop licking popular ass and start working on their own, independent opinions and which are willing to lower their heads even lower.

  • Name: Davya
    Date posted: 11/24/2009 7:27:09 PM
    Hometown: Wynnewood, PA

    Comment:

    Yeah, but there are 8 times the number of democrats who would vote for gay marriage, ENDA, the overturning of DADT and just about every LGBT issue. Also, the Democrats came up with at least 6 different health care plans and an 8 different economic stimulus plans- what is the republican plan? oh right, "less government", which, of course, is incredibly useful. So while the republicans, in their ultra populist drivel, talk and talk about values, democrats actually commit themselves to honest action. True both parties have abhorrent traits and histories, and that is something we should not deny. However, it is wise for us to make friends and allies in this battle- that is, the better of two wrongs.

  • Name: Brian
    Date posted: 11/24/2009 12:35:25 PM
    Hometown: Anaheim

    Comment:

    At least the republicans stand by their principles, no matter how stupid. The democrats have shown not to have any principles they are willing to fight for, whatsoever. Both parties suck.

  • Name: Roger Burr
    Date posted: 11/24/2009 11:59:07 AM
    Hometown: Marble Hill, MO

    Comment:

    Did anyone watch Keith Olbermann last night? He tore this 'litmus test' apart! Item by item, he showed that Reagan, himself, would not have passed the so-call 'Reagan' test. Reagan favored gun control; sold arms to Iran; raised taxes and increased the size of government. I hope the right-wingnuts keep it up. By marginalizing everyone in their party who does not subscribe to their narrow set of principles; they are decreasing the partys size! Their narrow-minded idealogy appeals to an ever decreasing number of voters and the moderates and Independents, whose votes they will need, will not vote for these right-wing idealogues. Look at the 23rd District in New York. They're putting themselves out of business. Will the last one out, please turn off the lights?.

  • Name: Adam
    Date posted: 11/24/2009 9:28:05 AM
    Hometown: Minnesota

    Comment:

    Of course "Reagan's Unity Principles" is an amusing title, since Reagan himself wouldn't have met enough to be endorsed. But if you put Reagan's name on it, it must be conservative, right?

  • Name: mikeLT
    Date posted: 11/24/2009 8:55:53 AM
    Hometown: boston

    Comment:

    Oh, it feels soo good to be played as a wedge issue. Thank you for the warmth, RNC. It's much appreciated.



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