California GOP Tries to Woo Left Wing

California's Republican Party is considering making its official platform a little less antigay so as to be more competitive with Democrats.

A proposed rewrite of the state party's platforms drops its opposition to adoption and child custody by gays and domestic-partner benefits, the Associated Press reports. The platform now also states that California Republicans support traditional marriage, whereas in 2008, the platform was more specific, saying marriage should be defined only as a union between a man and woman. Other changes include less harsh language on immigration and reproductive rights.

Leonard Lanzi, a member of a party advisory committee that endorsed the proposal, told AP that the platform would remain "pro-life, antitax," and "pro-family."

"It's brief, yes, but it's not complicated," Lanzi said. "I think this is a platform that will appeal to a broader group of folks."

Currently, about 44% of Californians are registered Democrats, while the GOP is in danger of slipping below 30% of voters. Additionally, independent voters outnumber Republicans in 14 of California's 53 congressional districts.