Posted on 03/22/2013 2:57:56 PM PDT by Kazan
COLUMBUS, March 22, 2013 (LifeSiteNews.com) – The Republican Party of Ohio has appointed as its executive director a registered lobbyist actively campaigning to redefine marriage in the state, deepening the conflict between voters and the party elite. The move triggered swift backlash, as a coalition of 80 conservatives from across the state issued a letter warning party bosses they “will not support them” in the future.
The new GOP leader is Matt Borges, a lobbyist for Equality Ohio, the group pressing to overturn the state's constitutional amendment against same-sex “marriage.” He was hand-selected by retiring state GOP chairman Bob Bennett, who has led the party since 1988, and is seen as Bennett's heir apparent.
“With this letter we put the party bosses on notice that we reject their betrayal of the party platform and our conservative values,” said Tom Zawistowski, the executive director of the Portage County Tea Party. “We will not support them going forward but will instead support those who are true to our cause."
The letter represents the views of a broad coalition, “not just liberty group members and social conservative voters, but rank and file registered Republican voters,” it states.
"Some of our Republican officials seem hell-bent on alienating conservative voters and volunteers, which reduces voter turnout," said Lori Viars, Vice President of Warren County Right To Life, who also serves as Vice Chair of the Warren County Republican Party. “They ignore the GOP platform, choosing to put themselves outside the mainstream of our party base.”
That's bad politics in a bellwether state.
"Never have I been more concerned for the direction of our state and country – largely due to a failure in leadership,” said former State Representative Seth Morgan, who now heads the Conservative Coalition. “Why would the Republican leaders put themselves at odds with sound public policy and the platform of their own party?"
Governor John Kasich and every statewide elected official signed a letter supporting Borges. He also has the support of former Ohio secretary of state Ken Blackwell and former Ohio Right to Life leader Mike Gonidakis, now a Kasich appointee to the state medical board.
Click "like" if you want to defend true marriage.
Kasich said through a spokesperson that he still opposes redefining marriage and creating civil unions.
Borges faces troubles aside from his opposition to the Republican platform on marriage. His role as a lobbyist has raised eyebrows, given Kasich's strong denunciations of their wheeling and dealing influence.
Previous charges of unethical behavior are also an issue. In 2004, Borges pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges of using his office to grant political favors to his boss, then-State Treasurer Joe Deters. Borges rebuffs the concerns, replying that he paid a $1,000 fine to have his record expunged.
Borges' selection comes as much of the Republican establishment seeks to change the party's stance on affirming marriage.
Jennifer Thieme, director of finance and advancement at The Ruth Institute, told LifeSiteNews.com that too few politicians are asking the most important question: what is marriage, and what is best for society?
“Those who favor redefining marriage seem to believe that marriage is nothing more than romantic feelings that the government incentivizes with tax breaks and federal benefits,” Thieme told LifeSiteNews. “The conservative view is that marriage is based on two things: the biological fact that sex between men and woman makes babies, and the social reality that children are entitled to their mothers and their fathers. This is an objective view of marriage, one that is also pre-political.”
“This view serves children best,” she said. “The other view serves adults best.”
Good for you. My first vote ever was for Ronaldus Magnus and I was a proud Republican for years. Today the GOP is the opposite of what I took pride in.
We have to let it die. And help it die..
“And accept that the GOP turned on you.”
I gotta disagree with you, Norm.
The GOP label has elected 30 governors and complete control of 26 states, including the entire legislature. When it’s all added up, conservatives make up more than 50% of the country. I’m not about to throw that away.
We are raising a great farm team of patriots and conservatives in the states. The trouble we have is that some conservatives are hopelessly myopic and can’t look beyond Washington DC. They only see and embrace surrender monkey flags and gloom ‘n doom.
When all those 30 band together in a unified fromnt and tell Obama and Bhoner to pound salt, I’ll believe that maybe something is worth saving.
They didn’t on Obamacare, immigration, voting laws or any of a number of other crucial areas. If they were that good they would have. For the ones who tried, they will get more done working with likeminded people out from under the GOP funding thumb.
And if you don’t see that, so be it.
This issue SHOULD NOT be that hard for conservatives to figure out...
As a party, they aren't definable or useful once in office, other than being something to blame for the demonrat disasters.
“They didn’t on Obamacare, immigration, voting laws or any of a number of other crucial areas.”
If you’re expecting instant gratification, I suggest you buy a jar of instant coffee.
You want to be involved in stopping Obama? Here in South Carolina we have two battalions of state-sponsored militia, the 1st and 2nd. Sign up.
If you can’t carry a rifle, then pledge your fortune to support training, arms and supplies.
If you’re like most of the blowhards on FR, you’ll slink away and we’ll never hear from you again.
I notice you didn’t refute a single thing I said.
blowhard indeed.
If they haven’t left the GOP by now..... um, maybe they are not conservative in the first place.
It’s not just Ohio...this GOP liberalism is happening everywhere. In Florida, we’re just lynching innocent people based on Black Racist agitation
“I notice you didn’t refute a single thing I said.”
What should I refute? The fact that you won’t join the fight to take back the country from the leftists?
Come on, Norm. Join the 1st and 2nd South Carolina state-sponsored militia. I’ll sign you up.
If you want to be an idiot and push for armed revolt on public forums, you go right ahead. I’ll pass thanks.
And you still haven’t refuted a single thing I said. You just built a real big straw man.
Good luck playing Rambo.
“And you still haven’t refuted a single thing I said. You just built a real big straw man.”
I stated facts about the political make-up of states, and you flew off the handle and went bat-chit crazy.
Are you drunk or liberal?
Freep-mail me to get on or off my pro-life and Catholic List:
Please ping me to note-worthy Pro-Life or Catholic threads, or other threads of general interest.
Whatever I am it isn’t begging to get on a DHS watch list. You might be though. So are you going to answer my points or just keep ducking uncomfortable truths?
Nevermind. I don’t have the desire to deal with your BS. You had 3 shots at it and went off into Ramboland fantasies instead. So be it.
What Ramboland fantasies?
The fact that South Carolina has two-state sponsored battalions?
It does. Prove me wrong.
You’re quite a piece of work, Norm.
For some stupid reason, you’re pissed off that Republicans control 26 states. Explain that, Norm. The fact that I said that set you off on a stupid tirade. Explain that, Norm
Address my statements. Explain why you refuse to Sarge.
“Address my statements.”
What statements? You went bonkers when I told you that Republicans control 26 states.
Does that upset you? Why?
Nighty night Woogums. Enjoy life in GOP moderate land.
Sorry, the beltway GOP is not will engage the democrats and fight for us or the constitution. Just this week they voted to fund Obamacare and in a separate vote to not pay for it.
Time to cut the cord on them. I will support the elected GOP at the state level who are defending our rights. We have to clear out the weak leadership in DC. The best way to do that is support the up and coming conservatives at the state level.
We have no hope against the Dems with that crew of GOP leadership losers and anybody in the caucas who supports/enables them. They all need to retire to K street pronto.
“The best way to do that is support the up and coming conservatives at the state level.”
I’m with you 110%. We have a great farm team of conservatives and patriots on the state level.
Semper fi, buddy.
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