Dems Pursuit of the Unpopular Questioned
In today's LA Times, liberal columnist George Skelton (here) asks a tough question of the State's Dems: Why are you pursuing gay marriage and drivers licenses for illegals if doing so alienates so many voters?
Skelton points out that while, yes, California is currently a blue state, it was a red state in the late 80s, and could "go red" once again if the Dems continue to champion such unpopular causes, and here's why:
Moderate Democratic Assemblyman Joe Canciamilla of Pittsburg (CA) says he became particularly concerned watching TV news reports about last week's opening of the new legislative session. The bills most often mentioned were Democratic proposals to legalize same-sex marriage and provide driver's licenses for illegal immigrants.
"Republicans are defined as trying to create jobs and balance the budget while we're defined as the party of gay marriage and illegal immigrants," Canciamilla says. "It's a tremendous mistake. If we're going to be taken seriously, we have to be dealing with more important issues."
But the champions of the unpopular are undeterred:
Moments after introducing his bill to legalize same-sex marriage, Assemblyman Mark Leno (D-San Francisco) told me: "Either we can cower and shake in fear at what might happen, or we can go forward. Do I sit on my hands and let [opponents] disparage the way I and others who are gay and lesbian love, or do we stand up for ourselves? We're human beings. We love."
But must they call it "marriage?" I asked. He replied: "To call it anything short of that is like, 'OK, I admit it, there's something faulty about me. Something unworthy.' Would you please point it out. I haven't found it yet."
Leno is undeterred by the fact that he lives in a Democracy in which the voters have spoken repeatedly of their unwillingness to support gay marriage. And just as undeterred is the champion of drivers licenses for illegals:
Sen. Gil Cedillo (D-Los Angeles), after introducing his latest driver's license bill, declared: "OK, so it's not popular. That's OK. I'm sure a lot of things aren't popular. But we've done them and they're good for us. Seat belts. Nonsmoking. Reducing air pollution. "Doing the right thing is not necessarily what's popular."
Sometimes it's not popular because it's the WRONG thing. But just keep thinking the way you're thinking, Sen. Cedillo and Assemblyman Leno.
Skelton points out that while, yes, California is currently a blue state, it was a red state in the late 80s, and could "go red" once again if the Dems continue to champion such unpopular causes, and here's why:
Moderate Democratic Assemblyman Joe Canciamilla of Pittsburg (CA) says he became particularly concerned watching TV news reports about last week's opening of the new legislative session. The bills most often mentioned were Democratic proposals to legalize same-sex marriage and provide driver's licenses for illegal immigrants.
"Republicans are defined as trying to create jobs and balance the budget while we're defined as the party of gay marriage and illegal immigrants," Canciamilla says. "It's a tremendous mistake. If we're going to be taken seriously, we have to be dealing with more important issues."
But the champions of the unpopular are undeterred:
Moments after introducing his bill to legalize same-sex marriage, Assemblyman Mark Leno (D-San Francisco) told me: "Either we can cower and shake in fear at what might happen, or we can go forward. Do I sit on my hands and let [opponents] disparage the way I and others who are gay and lesbian love, or do we stand up for ourselves? We're human beings. We love."
But must they call it "marriage?" I asked. He replied: "To call it anything short of that is like, 'OK, I admit it, there's something faulty about me. Something unworthy.' Would you please point it out. I haven't found it yet."
Leno is undeterred by the fact that he lives in a Democracy in which the voters have spoken repeatedly of their unwillingness to support gay marriage. And just as undeterred is the champion of drivers licenses for illegals:
Sen. Gil Cedillo (D-Los Angeles), after introducing his latest driver's license bill, declared: "OK, so it's not popular. That's OK. I'm sure a lot of things aren't popular. But we've done them and they're good for us. Seat belts. Nonsmoking. Reducing air pollution. "Doing the right thing is not necessarily what's popular."
Sometimes it's not popular because it's the WRONG thing. But just keep thinking the way you're thinking, Sen. Cedillo and Assemblyman Leno.
posted by Laer at 11:01 AM
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