The Republican
Party should stop spending money to advance a
constitutional ban on same-sex marriage in Florida, says
newly elected Republican governor Charlie Crist.
"I just think that their money can be better
spent on other things that may be more pressing, like
elections," Crist told the St. Petersburgh
Times. "The people care about issues like
insurance premiums. They care about property taxes.
They care about public safety."
According to the
paper, Crist is known for pragmatism over ideology and a
lack of enthusiasm for wedge issues. But he did express
support for a measure banning same-sex marriage
before being elected.
"He's certainly allowed to express his
opinion," John Stemberger, an Orlando lawyer
and chairman of the effort to amend Florida's constitution
to ban same-sex marriage, told the Times.
"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
reevaluate his position."
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 state Republican Party, said he
has not yet decided whether to contribute any more party
money to the effort. (The Advocate)
