Posted on 03/27/2006 6:40:39 PM PST by Coleus
Social-conservative groups have warned Republicans that their voters feel unappreciated and frustrated with Congress and that the party must get more aggressive on such values issues as marriage, human cloning, religious freedom and abortion if they want a decent turnout from the conservative base in November.
"That message has definitely been conveyed," said Jim Backlin, vice president for legislative affairs at the Christian Coalition.
The House and Senate are expected to vote this year on a constitutional amendment defining marriage as the union of a man and a woman, and Mr. Backlin said a recent meeting with Republican leaders leaves him confident that the Senate also will vote for the first time on a few key pro-life bills.
Leading conservative activists have been sounding off lately, frustrated that since 2004, when their voters turned out in force to help President Bush win re-election, the Republican Party has backed off the values issues. A constitutional amendment against homosexual "marriage" failed in 2004 to get the required two-thirds majority in both houses.
"I've said it before, and I'll say it again: Let's address values issues," wrote conservative activist Gary Bauer last week in a memo to friends and supporters, noting that 19 states have amended their state constitutions to protect marriage with an average approval vote of 70 percent, yet many lawmakers still shy away.
"What I don't get is, why there is so much reticence on the part of our public servants to defend normal marriage beyond an obligatory press release or applause line in a stump speech?" he said. A Family Research Council poll released last week found that 63 percent of social-conservative voters think Congress has not acted on a pro-family agenda on such issues as marriage, abortion and broadcast decency.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtontimes.com ...
Gee, how about a GOP controlled congress that cuts spending. Is that to much to ask?
I'd add border security and gov't spending.
Nothing about borders or spending.
As a real conservative, I have been conned by the Republican Party FOR THE LAST TIME.
They're caving on the immigration bill. This means +10,000,000 more Democrat votes in 5 years. It's over.
The Republicans have gone absolutely suicidal. I'm willing to help drive the knife in.
The backlash is coming.
I'd put spending and illegal immigration first
I would put Security of our borders and immigration control at the head of that list.
Same here.
Hey Dummies. You forgot the #1 issue: Illegal aliens. Forget that, and you've lost me.
I think the game is just about done. I think the Republicans will almost certainly lose seats this fall, barring a stunning turnaround by Bush and the Republican Party to recapture conservative voters who will sit at home.
I think you're absolutely right. While I agree on the importance of the issues outlined, those things are moot if we're bankrupt and overrun by an invading army. A third party candidate could make a major strike in '08.
Could it be that the Republicans are treating their base the same as the DeathoCrats treat their black base??
Republicans are miserable failures, incapable of governing, yet they expand government faster than any Democrats have since LBJ, maybe even more than LBJ.
Gee, the election is only 7 months away, time to throw a bone to the majority of our party so they come out in November.
They'll take up our causes late 15 months into the Congressional session and put them on hold for the elction, so we come out and vote again.
Country club RINOs are running for cover.
Gee, how about a GOP controlled congress that cuts spending. Is that to much to ask?
I've given up. If didn't happen in these circumstances, with the majorities we have, and the presidency, it'll never happen.
Nothing will trump the illegal alien issue this Nov. and the GOP trembles at that reality.
I was making the same statements around the 2004 election cycle time and was virtually crucified by many FReepers.
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