Welcome to Republicans For Choice PAC

News Release For Immediate Release August 27, 2004
Contact: Christopher Barron Log Cabin Republicans (202) 347-5306 or (202) 297-9807(cell)	Contact: Ann E.W. Stone Republicans for Choice (703) 960-9882	Contact: Will Knight Republican Youth Majority (202) 546-1300

Coalition of Mainstream Republican Groups Condemn Rejection of Unity Plank

Platform Committee Refuses to Unite Party

(Washington, DC)—A coalition of mainstream Republican groups, consisting of the Log Cabin Republicans, Republicans for Choice, and the Republican Youth Majority, strongly condemn the decision to reject the inclusion of the group’s “Party Unity” Plank in the 2004 Republican Party Platform.

“The Platform sends a dangerous message to moderates on the eve of our convention,” said Log Cabin Republicans Executive Director, Patrick Guerriero.

“The Unity Plank was a gift to the Platform Committee, an easy opportunity to show that there is a commitment to the big tent,” said Ann Stone, National Chair of Republicans for Choice. “It was a chance for the Platform committee to show in a dramatic way that they want to make sure the two most alienated groups, gays and pro-choice Republicans, are in fact welcomed and wanted in the Party.. Instead the Platform Committee chose to change a few little words in the caboose of the Platform and they think that is enough to make moderates come back to the Party. But the reaction we have gotten from moderates all over the country says that they were dead wrong. People have tracked us down in NYC and emailed to say that they feel the Platform committee was only interested in pandering to the extreme right,” she added.

“We have gotten hundreds of emails…my staff and I have been answering them all day!”

The Party Unity Plank, which was rejected by the Platform Committee reads:

“We recognize and respect that Republicans of good faith may not agree with all the planks in the party’s platform. This is particularly the case with regard to those planks dealing with abortion, family planning, and gay and lesbian issues. The Republican Party welcomes all people on all sides of these complex issues and encourages their active participation as we work together on those issues upon which we agree.”

“How can you possibly reject a plank that simply recognizes Republicans of good faith can disagree over complex social issues?” asked Guerriero. “The reality is that the far right does not want an inclusive party. The far right would prefer what they believe is an ideologically pure minority rather than a majority party that welcomes a diversity of opinion,” said Guerriero.

The far right’s control over the party’s platform and policy agenda is a stark contrast to the public face of the convention. “How will the party explain how it can refuse to even recognize specifically that socially moderate voices are welcome in its platform and then expect these same social moderates to be the face of the party in prime-time?” asked Stone.

The RNC’s announced lineup of primetime speakers for the convention includes former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, Arizona Senator John McCain, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, and New York Governor George Pataki. Additionally, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg will open the convention. All of these speakers have long histories of supporting policies that respect the GOP’s diversity.

“Our coalition represents the majority of Republicans who believe in fiscal responsibility, a strong national defense and mainstream social policies. It is deeply disappointing that the platform makes no real or strong effort to reach out to these moderates and fair-minded voters,” said Stone. “Just changing a few words is not enough….it is crumbs at the table”

In 2000, one million gays and lesbians voted for President Bush, and millions of pro-choice men and women supported the President. “This was an opportunity for the Republican Party to concentrate on the issues that bring us together: lower taxes, strong national defense, personal responsibility and a commitment to individual liberty. The refusal to do so sends a message to millions of fair-minded Republicans that their voices are not welcome in this party,” said Guerriero.

“This is not the end of our fight, this is just the beginning. It is a struggle for the heart and soul of the Republican Party. We will take this fight to the American people. It’s a battle that’s bigger than just one platform or one convention or one election. This is a battle about the future of the Republican Party,” said Guerriero.

“There is a growing sense of anger among moderates in this party. For far too long we have been asked to be good loyal foot soldiers on Election Day, but to sit back quietly and watch as the radical right hijacks our platform and our legislative agenda. This is not the end, this is just the beginning. This is the opening battle for 2008,” concluded Stone.

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Log Cabin Republicans is the nation's largest organization of Republicans who support fairness, freedom, and equality for gay and lesbian Americans. Log Cabin has state and local chapters nationwide, a full-time Washington office, and a federal political action committee. www.logcabin.org

Republicans for Choice is a federal PAC created by a coalition of party activists, Republican elected officials, state legislators and Members of Congress. Founded in 1990 with over 150,000 members nationwide, RFC is the largest pro-choice political group in the country. The first of their three goals is to continue to rebuild the pro-choice movement in the Republican Party, the second is to fight at our Party’s National Convention for removal of the anti-choice plank, and the third is to raise money to support and elect more Pro-Choice Republican Candidates at the state and federal level. www.republicansforchoice.com

Republican Youth Majority is a nationwide network of students and young professionals who believe in developing an inclusive generation of pro-choice, pro-environment, and fiscally conservative Republican leaders. By training a diverse group of students and young professionals to spread our message of tolerance and inclusion, we will ensure a long-term Republican majority. www.rym.org

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